To many, motorcycles represent vast freedom. Hair in the wind, wide-open roads, and excitement. Despite this, motorcycles come with dangers that other vehicles do not. As such, motorcycle accidents that can take away certain freedoms happen, too. If you've sustained injuries from a motorcycle accident, you know this fact all too well. That's why Impact Legal exists – we provide support in taking some of that freedom back for you via personal injury recoveries. We work to help plaintiffs secure remedies that support them in getting their lives back on track after an accident.
In this article, we'll discuss motorcycle accident statistics, as well as liability and potential damages in these types of personal injury cases. If you have any further questions, contact us at (602) 345-1818, or fill out our online contact form.
Additionally, you can read our motorcycle accident FAQs here: Motorcycle Accident FAQs part I and Part II.
Shocking Motorcycle Stats
The following stats sum up both the dangers of riding a motorcycle and the lack of awareness many other motorists have for bikes.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that an estimated 80 percent of motorcycle wrecks result in injury or death
- In 2018, 82,000 motorcycle accident injuries were documented in the US
- Accidents that involve drugs or alcohol are more deadly for motorcyclists than for other drivers with 90 percent of bike accidents resulting in injuries versus only 33 percent of auto accidents resulting in the same injuries
- 11 percent of all accidents on the road involve motorcycles
- Motorcycles and car accidents together account for the majority of spinal cord injuries
- 74 percent of motorcycle crashes were front-end collisions
- In 2018, nearly 5,000 US motorcycle accidents resulted in death
- The top three most fatal states for motorcycle accidents include Mississippi, Texas, and South Carolina
- Motorcycle wreck deaths decreased by five percent from 2017 to 2018
Cause of Motorcycle Accidents
The number one cause of motorcycle accidents is the failure of other drivers to see and recognize motorcycles on the road. The size of a bike makes it difficult for other drivers to spot them on the road, especially when the view is obstructed by glare or another object. Additionally, as with other types of accidents, causes of bike wrecks can include the failure to follow laws, reckless driving, excessive speeding, use of drugs and alcohol, etc. According to various sources, some stats regarding causes of motorcycle crashes, include:
- 28 percent of motorcycle wrecks that resulted in death involved drugs or alcohol
- Incorrect turns are the cause of 42 percent of bike deaths
- Speeding was the cause of 34 percent of motorcycle crashes in 2017
If you have been hurt in a wreck that was not your fault, you could be entitled to compensation for injuries incurred. Similarly, if you were partially at fault, you could be entitled to a percentage of damages. To better understand your case, call or text our motorcycle accident lawyers at Impact Legal today. We'll schedule an initial consultation to review the facts of your accident to better understand your legal options.
Motorcycle Safety Tips
Because motorcycles are inherently more dangerous than passenger cars, it's imperative to be alert and adhere to motorcycle regulations while on your bike. Some tips to stay safe on your bike, include taking regular safety courses, always wearing a helmet and other protective gear, assessing the weather conditions before going out, conducting routine motorcycle inspections, wearing reflective and/or bright colors to be as visible as possible, using turn signals, staying aware of potential road hazards, and keeping a safe distance from other vehicles on the road.
Here are some stats regarding motorcycle safety:
- Wearing a helmet decreases the probability of sustaining a head injury in a motorcycle crash by 69 percent
- In states with motorcycle helmet laws, drivers sustain fewer rates of head injuries
- In 19 US states, wearing a helmet on your motorcycle is mandatory. It is not mandatory in Arizona, but it's highly recommended
- It's predicted by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety that the US could save more than $1 billion in economic costs if motorcyclists wore helmets
Liability and Damages After a Motorcycle Crash
Arizona and New Mexico are at-fault states, which means that whoever caused the accident is responsible for the damages. Proving liability is an important part of your case. If you and another driver share fault, pursuant to comparative negligence theory, you and the other driver are both partially entitled to compensation. The injury reward will be determined based on the percentage of fault you played in the accident. For example, if a party was rewarded $100,000 in damages, and they were found to be 80 percent liable, they'd receive $20,000 of the reward. This increases the importance of hiring an experienced motorcycle accident law firm to represent you. Proving fault can be tricky, but it's a vital part to getting a settlement that covers all of your expenses to help you get on the road to recovery.
If you've been in an accident, a motorcycle accident lawyer could help you recover several compensatory rewards, including":
- Medical expenses (past, current, and future)
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
If you've been hurt, an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in New Mexico can help you determine the value of your case.
Free Case Evaluation from Impact Legal
If you are reading this article because you have been the victim of someone else's negligence and sustained injuries in an accident, give us a call today. We will work to protect your rights and get you the compensation you need to become “whole” again.
You can reach us by phone or text message at (602) 345-1818, or fill out this convenient online form to set up a free initial consultation where we will review the facts of your case to better determine what strategy to implement going forward. Don't go through this alone, we've got your back.