Motorcycle crashes are more often than not fatal, and if the driver does survive, they typically deal with serious life-changing injuries. One of the most common occurrences in a motorcycle collision is the rider being ejected, increasing the chances of serious injuries, including amputations.
Each crash is unique, with different reasons for the collision, different outcomes, and different injuries. More than 80 percent of all motorcycle accidents end in injury or death, while car accidents are around 20 percent. In 2020, 5,579 motorcyclists were killed in crashes – higher than the 5,044 motorcyclists killed in 2019. Of the 5,579 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes, 94 percent (5,268) were riders, and 6 percent (311) were passengers.
The major distinguishing factor between a motorcycle and a car crash is the motorcycle and rider(s) has zero protection. Car occupants have airbags, a roof and four solid doors. The differences play a big part in the outcome of such a collision.
Additionally, the average American driver gets into a car accident roughly every 6 years and may also have close calls up to twice a month. Statistics also show that more than 2 million people are injured in crashes every year – some that may involve motorcycles. Surprisingly, according to the National Safety Council (NSC), more than 12 million car wrecks happen every year across the nation, involving more than 20 million cars.
Three percent of all registered vehicles across the nation are motorcycles, but 14 percent of traffic deaths involve motorcycles. That three percent of motorcycles also represents 8.6 million registered bikes on the road every year, and at least 4 percent of those riders have sustained injuries.
The most concerning thing is that the rate of motorcycle crashes and deaths is on the rise every year. According to NHTSA, bikers are 29 times more likely to be killed in a collision, and in 2019, 5,014 riders died in a wreck, and 84,000 were injured. However, when statistics are broken down by the rate of fatal crashes per 100,000 registered vehicles (including cars), they reveal that 58 percent of motorcycles versus 9.4 percent of cars were involved in fatal collisions.
While most people just think a motorcycle is a motorcycle, there are many different types and brands. Types that range from sports bikes to cruiser motorcycles, and brands that range from Yamaha to Honda and Harley-Davidson to Kawasaki. Two-wheeled motorcycles accounted for 90 percent of all motorcycles involved in fatal crashes. From 2011 to 2020, motorcyclist fatalities increased by 20 percent, with the highest number of fatalities in 2020.
According to the most recent statistical update, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cites 30 percent of motorcycles involved in fatal crashes in 2019 were riding without a valid license. Additionally, bikers involved in fatal accidents had a higher rate of alcohol onboard (29 percent) than passenger vehicle drivers (20 percent).
In 2019 4,444 bikers who met their death on the road at night were almost three times more likely to drink than bikers who were involved in crashes during the day. And additionally, 42 percent of motorcyclists who perished in single-bike crashes in 2019 were alcoholics. These statistics were also updated by the NHTSA in September 2021. A motorcyclist is roughly 30 times more likely to die in a motorcycle accident than in a car accident. For an in-depth analysis of motorcycle accidents, outcomes, causes, and prevalence, visit HERE.
Motorcycles Most Often Involved in Accidents
While there are numerous types of motorcycles with varying designs, equipment, and engine sizes, all are susceptible to being involved in accidents.
Cruisers have the lowest fatality rating if involved in a crash. The most common motorcycle involved in crashes is Super Sports, with a fatality rate approximately four times higher than any of the other models, such as
- ATV
- Cruisers
- Chopper
- Cross
- Cruiser
- Enduro
- Naked
- Standards
- Sportbikes
- Street
- Sport Tourist
- Sport
- Scooter
- Touring
Common Causes of Motorcycle/Car Crashes
The most common cause of a motorcycle/car collision is due to the driver of the passenger vehicle involved. This can be for a number of reasons, including:
- DWI/DUI
- Driving under the influence of drugs, street or prescription
- Driving while distracted resulting in rear-end accidents
- Speeding
- Racing to beat a red light can result in a collision mid-intersection
- Head-on collisions due to sudden lane changes
- Road rage can lead to sideswipe accidents, head-on wrecks, rear-enders
- Driving while drowsy leading to head-on crashes or rear-end accidents
- Lane splitting
- Sudden lane changes can result in head-on crashes
- Merging into traffic without being attentive to others on the road can end up in a wreck involving a motorcycle
- Running stop signs can lead to a biker being broadsided and killed
- Low visibility
- Bad weather
- Poor road conditions
- Fixed object collisions
- Tailgating
- Stopping without warning
- Sudden left turns without looking resulting in T-boning vehicle
According to the NTHSA in 2020:
- 61 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes happened in urban areas compared to 39 percent in rural locations
- 65 percent occurred at locations without intersections compared to 35 percent at intersections
- 97 percent fo fatal accidents happened in clear but cloudly conditions compared to 2 percent in rainy conditions, and 1 percent in flog, sleet, snow etc.
- 57 percent happened during daylight compared to 37 percent at night, 4 percent during dusk, and 1 percent during dawn.
- 92 percent of the deadly accidents occurred on non-interstate roads compared to 8 percent on interstates
Common Injuries Sustained in a Motorcycle/Car Accident
Some of the common injuries suffered by motorcyclists include the following:
- In 47 percent of collisions, lower extremity injuries may occur
- In 40 percent of accidents, upper extremity injuries may occur
- In 35 percent of motorcycle/car wrecks, head injuries may be sustained
- In 31 percent of collisions, chest injuries may occur.
- In 20 percent of crashes, spine injuries may be sustained
- In 15 percent of motorcycle/car accidents, abdominal injuries may occur
- In 10 percent of such crashes, facial injuries can occur
According to the most recent statistics released by the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) of the NHTSA, the percentage of fatal motorcycle accidents is 5.68 percent. This is five times the odds of dying in a car wreck. There were 6,082 fatal motorcycle wrecks in 2021.
Inattention is the Biggest Culprit in Motorcycle-Car Crashes
Roughly one-third of multi-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle happen due to motorists turning in the biker’s path. The most prevalent reason for crashes involving cars and motorcycles is inattention. It seems that drivers and bikers have forgotten they owe a duty of care to others they share the road with while driving.
Everyone is in a rush to get to where they want to go, and distraction can ensure something goes wrong in a split second. That split second of not being alert to all the traffic around you can mean death for a motorcyclist.
Drivers often claim they did not see or hear the motorcycle. While that may be the case, drivers need to be alert at all times to what other traffic is around them, and that includes motorcycles. They are a common sight on the roads today and are entitled to know they are safe while riding because passenger vehicle drivers and occupants make it a point to watch out for them. Inattention while driving can mean someone’s family member does not return home.
Contact the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident and sustained serious injuries or a loved one died, reach out to the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield by calling (479) 361-3575. Our dedicated team of motorcycle accident lawyers is here to help.
Call us today for a free initial consultation and to learn what you can expect should you wish to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. We know you have questions, and we can answer them for you. The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield is just one quick call away: (479) 361-3575.