Riding Smart: What Motorcycle Accident Statistics Reveal
Riding a motorcycle can be very exciting. Unfortunately, it can also be very dangerous, because motorcycle riders are at greater risk for traffic fatalities and injuries than are car drivers.
Did you know that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) keeps tabs on all motorcycle (and other vehicular) accidents? The statistics are updated on a couple years’ delay, but they do paint a picture of the safety trends in motorcycling.
According to the latest statistics from 2022, injuries from motorcycle accidents decreased by 3% to 38,687. Sadly, motorcycling-related fatalities increased by 1% to 6,218.
In addition, NHTSA documents illustrate some common factors that lead to motorcycle accidents. As a rider, you should be aware of the following facts, as they may affect your insurance claims and have legal implications—and worse.
Speeding
High speeds can displace the alignment of your motorcycle and cause the front end of your bike to wobble. This can turn a simple bump in the road or slip of a tire into a devastating accident.
Additionally, if speeding is listed as a contributing factor on the police report, you could be held liable for your medical and repair bills, as well as bills for others involved in the accident.
According to 2022 NHTSA data, 35% of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding, racing illegally, or riding too fast for the prevailing conditions. It’s a sobering reminder to go easy on the throttle.
Alcohol Impairment
Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs major functions necessary for safe riding, including balance, coordination, reaction times, and concentration. If you drink, ride, and cause a crash, not only will you be responsible for any injuries or damages—you will likely face hefty fines, jail time, license suspension, and increases in your insurance premiums.
Statistics show that 29% of motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol concentration over the national legal limit of 0.08 percent in 2022. Additionally, the majority of the alcohol-related fatal crashes took place on the weekend. Furthermore, fatal nighttime crashes due to alcohol were three times more frequent than similar daytime accidents.
Licensing
Obtaining a proper motorcycle license does more than protect you legally if you’re involved in an accident. It also introduces you to motorcycle knowledge and safety standards that can help prevent an accident from occurring in the first place.
According to the 2022 statistics, 35% of motorcyclists killed in traffic accidents were riding without license. In comparison, the same statistic for car drivers stands at only 16%—perhaps that’s some food for thought.
Helmet Use
You should always wear a helmet when riding. Not wearing a helmet can result in grievous injuries, but it may also impact your ability to file legal and insurance claims. The situation here is complex, however, as the laws regarding helmet use and their legal implications vary from state to state.
The good news is that most riders do put on a lid before taking to the road. The NHTSA states that roughly 66.5% of American motorcyclists wear a DOT-compliant helmet on the road.
This, however, introduces a potentially misleading skew into the fatality statistics. Out of all fatal motorcycle crashes in 2022, the rider wore a helmet in 60% of the incidents, while unhelmeted riders were involved in 36% of the accidents. In 4% of the cases, helmet use was unknown.
Does this mean that helmets do nothing to prevent fatalities? Not at all. Helmet-wearing riders are involved in all types of accidents more often simply because most riders wear helmets.
Other Motorists
Seasoned riders know that a common cause of motorcycle accidents is failing to yield to bikers or drivers. If a car or truck driver fails to yield or share the road, they could be held responsible for the accident because they did not obey state traffic laws.
It is estimated that around two-thirds of all accidents involving a motorcycle and another motor vehicle result from the other vehicle violating a motorcyclist’s right of way.
Poor road conditions, changing lanes, negligence, and rear-ending are other common causes of motorcycle accidents. The road can be especially dangerous for motorcycle riders, but you can help avoid accidents by knowing what hazards you may encounter and doing everything possible to eliminate them.
However, you can’t control what other drivers or bikers do. If you’re ever in a crash, be sure to file a police report. For more information on accidents and what to do, check our TIPS section.