Motorcycle accidents are among the most deadly types of personal injury accidents, with motorcyclists exposed to catastrophic harm when struck by larger vehicles. Motorcyclists have little gear to protect them from intense trauma caused by a motorcycle accident, as only a helmet, heavy-duty clothing, and eye gear can protect them from impact. There are tens of thousands of motorcycle accidents yearly caused by speeding and drunk drivers, with the late afternoon being the most common time.
As people rush to get home after work or school, they can behave negligently behind the wheel and expose motorcyclists to severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), bone fractures, and spinal cord injuries. With the increasing number of injury-causing and fatal crashes, motorcyclists should know the dangers when riding. If something catastrophic does happen, they can hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to help them recover compensatory damages from the at-fault party’s insurance company.
How Many Motorcycle Accidents Happen Every Year?
Every year, tens of thousands of motorcyclists experience motorcycle accidents that can expose them to life-threatening injuries. Motorcycle accidents occur when another vehicle, such as a car, truck, or motorcycle, strikes them.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there 82,528 motorcyclists were injured in crashes in 2020. During that year, Florida was the state with the most motorcycle accidents, as 600 motorcycle accidents in the state resulted in severe motorcycle accident injuries. Motorcyclists should exercise caution and ride their motorcycles safely to increase their chances of avoiding the negative health complications of a motorcycle accident.
Over One-Third of Motorcycle Accidents Involve Unlicensed Motorcyclists
Motorcycle accidents ordinarily occur because of the recklessness of a car, truck, or bus driver. However, other motorcyclists can also cause motorcycle accidents through reckless and aggressive behavior. Motorcyclists can cause accidents when they are unlicensed and lack the proper training to know how to operate a motorcycle safely.
According to Forbes, over one-third (36%) of motorcycle-on-motorcycle accidents involve an unlicensed motorcyclist. Most states require motorcyclists to pass a written and road test to receive a motorcycle license, proving they understand what is required to be a safe motorcyclist. Failure to pass these tests and ride a motorcycle anyway can lead to mistakes or negligent behavior that can expose other motorcyclists to harm.
How Many Motorcycle Accident Fatalities Every Year?
In 2020, there were 5,579 motorcycle accident fatalities, which was the largest number since Fatality Analysis Reporting System began charting motorcycle accident fatalities in 1975. Despite motorcycles only accounting for 3% of registered vehicles in the United States, motorcycle accident fatalities account for 14% of traffic fatalities.
The biggest risk factor for motorcyclists involved in crashes is head trauma. Motorcycle accident victims can suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that can lead to life-threatening consequences, as bleeding inside the brain and majorly reduced brain functioning can threaten a person’s life.
This risk of severe head injuries increases when a motorcyclist fails to wear a helmet. In 2020, 2,143 motorcycle accident fatalities happened when a motorcyclist failed to wear a helmet. Protective headgear can decrease a motorcyclist’s risk of death and protect them from severe head injuries.
What Causes Most Motorcycle Accident Fatalities?
The most common causes of motorcycle accidents have to do with the negligent driving behavior of drivers. Those operating larger vehicles must stay focused and follow road rules to avoid injuries to motorcyclists in motorcycle accidents. Direct trauma from a large vehicle can result in severe injuries that can cause long-term health complications and possibly death.
The two negligent driving behaviors that cause most motorcycle accidents are speeding and drunk driving. When a driver speeds above the legal limit, they may not notice a motorcyclist trying to change lanes or turning into their lane. They can crash into a motorcyclist by failing to yield the right-of-way, running a red light, or not stopping at a stop sign. Drunk drivers can have worsened vision, judgment, and decision-making, leading to them crashing into motorcyclists.
When and Where Do Most Motorcycle Accidents Take Place?
Most motorcycle accidents happen in the late afternoon or nighttime between 3 pm and 9 pm, as this is when roads have the most drivers on them. During this time on weekdays, students are getting out of school and workers are leaving their jobs. The congested roads can lead to a driver making a mistake that can cause motorcycle accidents.
Motorcycle accidents commonly occur at intersections because of how much traffic can move through these spots. A driver may not pay attention to a red light and drive through an intersection when they’re not supposed to. They could crash into a motorcyclist and cause severe injuries. Motorcycle accidents happen more in urban areas than anywhere else because there’s more traffic to navigate.
Why You Should Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle accident victims can suffer significant damages like medical bills, property damage, and pain and suffering from a motorcycle accident. Victims that wish to recover compensation for their economic and non-economic damages can file a motorcycle accident claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. However, handling this process alone can lead to mistakes that an insurance company can take advantage of to limit their settlement.
Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer gives motorcycle accident victims their best chance to recover compensation for their damages. They have experience handling these types of claims and will know the best steps to take to maximize a victim’s chances of recovering compensatory damages. A motorcycle accident lawyer can calculate the value of a motorcycle accident claim, gather tangible evidence, speak to eyewitnesses and expert witnesses, and negotiate a fair settlement.
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
The motorcycle accident lawyers at The Russo Firm can assist you in the process of recovering damages for economic losses and negative quality of life effects. We have decades of experience helping motorcycle accident victims recover compensatory damages for motorcycle accidents caused by another party’s recklessness.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers can help you through the claim process. They can determine the best way to handle each step to ensure you recover compensation for your medical bills, wage-based losses, and quality of life effects. Contact us for a free motorcycle accident case evaluation today at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
