They are also less visible to other drivers and pedestrians and less stable than four-wheel vehicles. The stability of the two categories makes it somewhat easier to draw conclusions from an analysis of motorcycle accidents statistics without having to take into account dramatic fluctuations in the number of vehicles or the miles ridden. [21] However, they account for a relatively smaller amount of the total miles traveled (motorcycles are often only driven in good weather) about 0.7% of all vehicles miles traveled 2012. From 2017 to 2019, motorcyclist fatalities increased by 22%. For additional statistics, contact Driver and Vehicle Services at 717-412-5300. Nearly 20% of riders are women, and that number is increasing all the time. But mind you, not all helmets are equally good. [27] A broken pelvis can lead to mobility problems due to the bone's central location. [2] In 2008, 47% of fatal accidents were with another vehicle, and of those 77% involved a head-on collision with a motorcycle and in 7% the motorcycle was struck from behind. That said, you have a few options of at least protecting yourself somewhat. This chart from the NHTSA shows the percentage of motorcyclists using a DOT-approved helmet. Passenger vehicle occupant deaths and motorcyclist deaths, 1975-2020. Some statistics can be quite helpful, while others are fun to know. A quarter of motorcycle fatalities are single-vehicle crashes into a fixed object. [1] Automobile fatalities continued to decline for the seventh straight year before 2011. Wear appropriate safety gear: Regardless of the laws in your state, wear a DOT-approved. [9], Non-fatal injuries for motorcycle accidents include the danger of paralysis, such as quadriplegia. [4] At the same time occupant deaths of other types of vehicles have decreased in the 21st century, so motorcycle accident deaths have become an increased share of all deaths and noted for being 26 times more deadly than cars. Whether taken from the perspective of vehicle miles traveled or the relative number of registered vehicles, motorcyclists have a much lower survival rate than occupants of other types of vehicles. The statistics presented so far highlight the dangers and risks confronting motorcyclists, particularly about fatalities. United States motorcycle fatalities increased every year for 11 years after reaching a historic low of 2,116 fatalities in 1997, then increased to over 5,000 around 2008 and then plateaued in the 4 to 5 thousands range in the 2010s. The fact that car accidents occur more frequently than motorcycle accidents should not be a surprise considering that cars far outnumber motorcycles. All motors arent created equal. The former covers medical bills and lost wages, while the latter pays to repair and replace your motorcycle. Looking to buy a motorcycle but not sure which one? In fact, only 1.99% of motorbike deaths happened when there was rainwater on the road. [31] Automotive and motorcycle accidents together are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, about 35% percent; this can include more minor injuries to the spinal cord up to more severe cases such paraplegic (2) or quad (4) plegic cases. Still, you need to be alert to situations that may endanger your safety. [11] Blunt abdominal trauma can be caused by a motorcycle accident, and can damage the testes and intestines. In most cases, the wind caused impaired vision and delayed hazard detection. However, the vast majority, 66%, happened in places other than intersections. All states in the US, except Florida, require motorcycle owners to have some sort of motorcycle insurance. Of the more than 8 million motorcycles, 950,780 are registered right here, in California. Fuel leakage happens in 62% of accidents in the post-crash phase. A helmet is unlikely to cause an accident if its a well-fitted and certified model. Considering that riding a motorcycle without a helmet has serious consequences, one wonders why so many US states havent made helmets compulsory for all riders. Motor-vehicle deaths in California 2021 | Statista It also found that 40% of the riders between 40 and 44 years of age who died in crashes in 2019 were drunk. Do not ride a bike unless you took the time to go through a course and get a license. Although touring bikes also made a good showing at 21.8%, the overwhelmingly favorite motorcycle is the cruiser. Reflective tape applied to your helmet increases visibility. Take a few minutes to read some of the most staggering motorbike statistics. Motorbike deaths are more likely to happen in urban areas (53%) than in rural ones (48%). The table presented shows injuries and injury rates for motorcyclists over the nine years from 2010 through 2019. Wearing armored riding boots reduces the chance of open-wound injuries by as much as 90%, as shown in a study by the Marine Corps Safety and Force Preservation. This happens primarily because of an obstructed view. Motorcycles had a fatal crash rate of 59.49, while the rate for cars was 15.06. When motorcycles crash, their riders lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle, so they're more likely to be injured or killed. Specifically, SCHP Master Trooper Brian Lee said there were 88 motorcyclist deaths in 2020 and 118 so far in 2021. [4][8] There is a reported 80% chance of injury or death on a motorcycle in the event of an accident, compared to about 20% for passenger vehicles. How Many Motorcycle Accident Deaths Per Year? February 2023 2000 Crash Facts. While 2,881 crashes were fatal, 42,000 resulted in injuries and 18,000 in property damage. Almost half of the motorcycle accidents result in lower-leg, ankle, knee, foot, or thigh injury. As you read through this analysis of recent motorcycle accident statistics, you will find information to become a better and safer rider. In 2019, there were about 84,000 injuries among motorcyclists. Reported road casualties in Great Britain: motorcycle factsheet, 2020 (Georgia Injury Lawyer) Running into objects causes nearly a quarter of motorcyclist fatalities, compared to 18% of car crash deaths. These are the bikes with quite a bit of power. (More on Safety Ratings here.). Vehicle miles traveled - USDOT, Federal Highway Administration, revised by NHTSA; Registered passenger cars and light trucks - R.L. Riding a motorcycle is dangerous when sober, and the chances of a fatal crash only increase when drivers are over the legal limit for alcohol. Not only is California the most populous state in the United States with the largest number of motorcycles, but it is also the most populous state in the United States, accounting for almost 12 percent of the countrys total population. 61.3% of Motorcycle Traffic Deaths Happened in Cities. [18] Between 1999 and 2012 4,423 died in combined motor vehicle deaths including motorcycles. In states with helmet laws that cover only some riders, 41 percent of fatally injured motorcyclists were helmeted. [14] A decline in recreational motorcycling due to the late-2000s recession might account for the decrease in accidents, according to the authors of a report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), but a state motorcyclists' rights organization, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, said motorcycle use appeared to have increased, influenced by motorcycles' better fuel economy. [2] 59% of those killed were wearing a helmet, which were estimated to give a 37% increased chance of overall survival and reduction in the chance of a head injury; helmet use has been the subject of various studies and laws. In most cases, bikers have less than 2 seconds to try to avoid a collision. Lets not forget about supersport bikes, whose riders are not only more likely to be in motorcycle accidents but also bad ones. Fiftypercent of motorcyclist deaths in 2020 occurred on weekends, and those deaths were more likely to occur after 6 p.m. compared with weekdays. This is notable because the number of registered motorcycles in the U.S. declined by 63,427, but the injury rate per 100,000 registered motorcycles increased slightly more than 3% over 2018. [26] In cases of a single-rear brake-light, its failure leaves other drivers without notification that the motorcycle is stopping. For more information, please call (800) 928-1511. Alarming Statistics on Motorcycle Accidents 2022 Overview - Carsurance In the late 1970s the proportion of fatally injured motorcyclists who were 50 and older started to increase, rising from 3 percent of all rider deaths in 1975 to 14 percent in 1997 and 36 percent in 2020. While biking is fun and exciting, its definitely more dangerous than driving a car. The wind in your hair, the open road, and adrenaline make each ride a unique experience. The chart below compares the rate of fatal collisions for different vehicles in 2010 and 2019, the most current year for which such data is available. 10. Abdomen injuries occurred in 15% of collisions. You may be able to increase your reaction time by keeping more space between you and other vehicles. It is a misconception that rain is to blame for the majority of motorcyclist fatalities. The proportion of fatally injured ATV riders who were 40 and older increased from 9 percent in 1982 to 41 percent in 2020. 34% of women like cruisers the best while 33% of them like scooters, and 10% of them like sportbikes. As previously cited, the NHTSA reports that you are 29 times more likely to be killed in a collision than occupants of other types of motor vehicles, and 5,014 riders died in crashes in 2019. Putting it differently, for every 100 motorcycle riders without helmets killed in accidents, 37 could have been saved if all 100 wore helmets. However, only 40% of the riders involved in an accident wore a helmet. U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, Marine Corps Safety and Force Preservation. [17] One study evaluated motorcycles as being 37 times more dangerous for a fatal accident than a car. Almost half of all fatal accidents showed alcohol present. For example, 61% of fatal motorcycle crashes occurred in urban settings and slightly under 39% in rural areas. Source: U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). and Thom, D.R., Traffic Safety Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90007, Contract No. In addition, there were only three fatalities in the District of Columbia. [20] Between 2001 and 2008, the portion of fatalities from motorcycles tripled, and by 2008 was almost 40% of overall vehicle fatalities. Motorcycle fatalities decreased 9.4% from 523 in 2018 to 474 in 2019. Californias riders, in particular, know that the Golden State has several rides that take bikers on the open road. As stated by the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, the biggest cause of deaths in motorcycle crashes is a head injury. Helmet use was lower, at 46 percent, for people killed as passengers on motorcycles. Deaths of motorcyclists in Florida and California According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, there were 591 motorcyclist deaths in Florida and 474 in California in 2019. Negligence, not bad weather, causes the bulk of bike accidents. Statistics on motorcycle accidents underline the importance of taking a motorcycle safety course, which can help lower the risk of a crash in novice riders. Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Occupant Protection Use Survey, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's National Center for Statistics and Analysis. The Safety Programs and Crash Data unit provides fatal data and statistics used to develop performance targets, performance tracking, and trends that are used to help reduce the fatalities on Colorado roadways. "We are concerned about the death of so many motorcyclists in 2020 with the traditional riding season still to come," said Pam Pannkuk, Acting Director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.