Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Motorcycles are less crashworthy than enclosed vehicles, less visible to others, and less stable. Operating a motorcycle requires a unique combination of physical and mental skills. Motorcyclists are also more negatively impacted by weather and road conditions.

• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists who wore helmets were 16% less likely to sustain a serious head injury than those who did not wear helmets.
• Nearly half of all fatal motorcycle accidents involved alcohol.
• 35% of fatal motorcycle accidents the cyclist was speeding.
• 50% of motorcycle accidents were collisions with another vehicle.
• 25% of the motorcyclists involved in fatal accidents had an invalid license.
• In 67% of motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle rider’s right of way and caused the accident.
• Motorcyclists are about 26 times more likely to die in a crash than someone riding in a car, and are 5 times as likely to be injured.

Motorcycle Safety

Here are some safety measures to help you enjoy the open road and live to brag about it.

• Wear a helmet. They are 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries, 67% effective in preventing traumatic brain injuries.
• Wear a jacket (preferably leather – more durable) and long pants. These will protect your arms and legs if you lay the bike down and greatly reduce your injuries in a minor accident.
• Wear leather boots to protect your feet, ankles, and calves. Injuries to any of these body parts can interfere with your mobility and quality of life.
• Buy a motorcycle with anti-lock brakes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released two studies in late 2008 that show that anti-lock brakes help reduce crashes.
• Air bags may soon be a viable option for motorcyclists. Honda Motorcycle Company, in 2006, started offering the option of an airbag on one of their most expensive models. Wearable airbags, worn either inside a jacket or strapped on the outside, have recently been developed and marketed. There are no statistics as to the effectiveness of these items, yet.

Types of Motorcycle Cases We Handle

• Single Vehicle Motorcycle Accident
• Multiple Vehicle Motorcycle Accident
• Motorcycle Drunk Driving Accident
• Motorcycle Malfunction
• Motorcycle Wrongful Death Accident

Contact Us

If you have been in a Minnesota Motorcycle Accident, contact us – we care and want to help you receive compensation for your injuries. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our consultation form.

This information is provided by TSR Injury Law. Our attorneys are consistently named Super Lawyers by their peers and Chuck Slane has been voted in the 2008 Minnesota Top 40 Personal Injury Lawyers. Our attorneys have years of experience with personal injury cases, have a stellar reputation, and have secured millions in compensation for our clients.