Motorcycle Accident Statistics

As more riders are drawn each year to the sense of freedom that comes with riding a motorcycle, the number of motorcycle accident fatalities continues to rise as well. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 2007 saw the highest level of motorcyclist deaths in the 33 years that the Department of Transportation has actively gathered the data to compile such a statistic. Bearing this in mind, it is important that motorcyclists are aware of the dangers that they face so that they can read statistics instead of becoming one.

The most immediate and obvious threat to riders is that their exposed position on a bike renders them more susceptible to injury and death in the event of impact or loss of control than do comparable accidents in cars or trucks. You can improve your chances and reduce the danger to yourself by wearing a helmet and other protective gear whenever you ride, regardless of the distance or type of roadway you will be using. It is estimated that helmets, for example, may reduce the likelihood of fatality by almost 40 %. That is a substantial difference, and one that you should not take lightly when forming your riding habits.

The Raw Numbers

The following numbers represent the true and sometimes stark reality that faces motorcyclists in the United States. These all refer to the year 2007:

• 5,154 people were killed when their motorcycle crashed
• In perspective, 14 families lost a loved one to a motorcycle accident daily
• 7.1 million motorcycles were registered, 5.15 % the number of passenger vehicles
• Per mile driven, rider fatalities were 35 times the rate of those in cars or trucks (2006)

Contact Us

The odds may be stacked against you, but that doesn’t mean that you have to accept that fate. If another driver’s negligence has caused your motorcycle to crash, contact Iowa motorcycle accident lawyer Pete Leehey today at 877-209-9452.