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Motorcycle Accidents,Personal Injury On Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Whether you are a seasoned motorcycle rider or just starting, you have likely heard tales of how dangerous motorcycling can be. Breaking down these dangers into numbers, facts, and statistics can help give you a realistic idea of how, why, and just how often motorcycle accidents actually occur. Spreading awareness of the risks involved in motorcycling can help you stay safe as a rider.
Currently, around 8.8 million motorcycles are licensed in the United States. This number has more than doubled from 4.3 million in 2002. Still, motorcycles only make up about 3 percent of all registered vehicles and 0.7 percent of all vehicle miles traveled in the U.S., according to the National Safety Council. Yet, in 2022, motorcyclists accounted for 14.6 percent of all traffic fatalities.
Annually, around 89,000 motorcycle accidents are reported across the country, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Based on the number of licensed and registered motorcycles in the U.S., this means that around 1.01 percent of motorcyclists will get into accidents in a given year. This statistic is likely too low, however, as many motorcycle accidents go unreported; especially single-vehicle motorcycle accidents.
The Insurance Information Institute also states that more than 5,000 of the motorcycle accidents reported annually are fatal for the motorcyclist. This equates to about 0.057 percent of America’s motorcyclists getting involved in deadly accidents. Helmet use is one of the key factors in whether or not a motorcyclist survives a crash. Motorcycle helmets are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries.
In 2022, 1,305 motorcycle crashes were reported in Connecticut. Of these accidents, 59 were fatal, with a total of 63 people killed. Another 941 of these motorcycle accidents resulted in injuries, with 284 victims reporting serious injuries.
As of 2022, 88,084 motorcycles were registered in the State of Connecticut. Based on these numbers, this means 1.48 percent of motorcyclists in Connecticut will be involved in motorcycle accidents each year – higher than the national average.
Motorcycle accidents occur for many of the same reasons as car accidents; primarily, human error. Common examples include:
In addition, motorcyclists are prone to unique accident risks, such as road defects and weather conditions, that affect them more than passenger vehicle drivers.
There is a disparity between the number of motorcycle accidents that occur and the rate at which these collisions are fatal. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that per vehicle miles traveled in 2022, motorcyclists were about 22 times more likely to die and 4 times more likely to be injured than passenger vehicle occupants in a motor vehicle crash.
Motorcyclists can suffer severe injuries due to a lack of personal protection. Even when wearing a helmet, a motorcyclist is at risk of sustaining potentially life-threatening injuries. Examples include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, amputations and internal injuries. Permanent scarring and disfigurement are also common due to severe lacerations, road rash and facial injuries.
At Loughlin & FitzGerald, P.C., you are not just a statistic. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Meriden, CT, contact our attorneys for a free consultation about how we can help you seek justice. Call (203) 265-2035 today.