Motorcycle Accidents
In 2007, 5,154 motorcyclists were killed-an increase of 7 percent over the 4,837 motorcyclists killed in 2006. There were 103,000 motorcyclists injured during 2007. If you have been in a motorcycle accident, you should seek a motorcycle accident lawyer to assist with your case.
An estimated 142,000 motorcyclists have died in traffic crashes since the enactment of the Highway Safety and National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966. Motorcycles made up nearly 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States in 2006 and accounted for only 0.4 percent of all vehicle miles traveled. Per vehicle mile traveled in 2006, motorcyclists were about 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash and 8 times more likely to be injured.
Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a traffic crash. Per registered vehicle, the fatality rate for motorcyclists in 2006 was 5.5 times the fatality rate for passenger car occupants. The injury rate for motorcyclists was 1.2 times the injury rate for passenger car occupants. In 2007, motorcyclists accounted for 13 percent of total traffic fatalities, 14 percent of all occupant fatalities, and 4 percent of all occupants injured. Motorcycle Involvement in Crashes In 2007, 2,641 (50%) of all motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with another type of motor vehicle in transport. In two-vehicle crashes, 78 percent of the motorcycles involved were struck in the front. Only 5 percent were struck in the rear. Motorcycles are more likely to be involved in a fatal collision with a fixed object than are other vehicles. In 2007, 25 percent of the motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with fixed objects, compared to 18 percent for passenger cars, 13 percent for light trucks, and 3 percent for large trucks. In 2007, there were 2,332 two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a motorcycle and another type of vehicle. In 40 percent (939) of these crashes the other vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking the vehicle. Both vehicles were going straight in 632 crashes (27%).
On an average, in the past five years (2002 to 2006), one-fourth (25%) of motorcycle operators fatally injured in fatal crashes were operating their motorcycles with invalid licenses (either did not have the license or did not have an endorsement) compared to about 15 percent for fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers. This data is from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
The proportion of fatally injured motorcycle operators with invalid licenses involved in fatal crashes as a trend in each of the past five years has remained about the same, varying between 24 percent and 26 percent. The increasing trend in the total motorcycle operators killed is consistent with the increasing trend of total motorcycle rider fatalities.
NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,784 motorcyclists in 2007. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 800 lives could have been saved. Helmets are estimated to be 37-percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcyclists. This means for every 100 motorcyclists killed in crashes while not wearing a helmet, 37 of them could have been saved had all 100 worn helmets.
According to NHTSA's National Occupant Protection Use Survey, a nationally representative observational survey of motorcycle helmet, seat belt, and child safety seat use, helmet use declined by 13 percentage points from 71 percent in 2000 to 58 percent in 2007 . Reported helmet use rates for fatally injured motorcyclists in 2007 were 59 percent for riders and 47 percent for passengers, compared with 59 percent and 45 percent, respectively, in 2006.
