Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Getting around on a motorcycle is fun and liberating. There is nothing quite like feeling the freedom of the air and the open road, or being able to zip around the neighborhood to run errands. It’s not always fun, however. Motorcycle accidents can happen suddenly at any time of day, and they can lead to catastrophic if not fatal injuries. If you have been affected by a motorcycle collision, the Kirkland, WA auto accident lawyers of Quick Law Group, PLLC want to help.
Attorneys Matthew Quick and Elizabeth Quick would like to go over some revealing motorcycle accident statistics. These should help you understand the dangers that motorcyclists face, why these matters have to be taken seriously, and why seeking legal action may be essential.
National Statistics on Fatal Motorcycle Accidents
According to figures from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,286 motorcyclists lost their lives in accidents in 2016. This is an increase from 2015 in which 4,976 motorcyclists were killed, and 2014 when 4,594 motorcyclists were killed.
The NHTSA numbers reveal that this is the highest number of motorcyclist fatalities since 2008 (5,312).
National Statistics on Motorcycle Accident Injuries
While the NHTSA does not have any estimated 2016 injury accident numbers available, the 2015 and 2014 estimated numbers are revealing. According to those stats, there were approximately 88,000 motorcycle injury accidents in 2015 and 92,000 motorcycle injury accidents in 2014.
Washington State Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Focusing on the state of Washington, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission recorded a preliminary 64 motorcyclist accident fatalities in 2017. If this number holds, it is down from 81 motorcyclist fatalities in 2016 and 73 motorcyclist deaths in 2015. The statistics also noted that 91 percent of motorcyclists killed were male, and that 86 percent of fatalities involving sports bikes involved rider errors/mistakes.
Motorcycle Accidents and Speeding
According to the NHTSA, excessive speed played a role in 33 percent of all fatal motorcycle accidents in 2015. By comparison, speeding contributed to 19 percent of passenger vehicle fatalities and 15 percent of light-truck fatalities. This is just another important reminded to abide by the speed limit at all times.
Motorcycle Accidents and Time of Day
NHTSA figures reveal that most motorcyclists are likely to be killed on weekdays during the commuter hours of 3pm and 6pm (23.7 percent of 2015 fatalities); and on weekends between 6pm to 9pm (24.6 percent of 2015 fatalities). Injury statistics followed the same pattern, with weekday motorcyclist injuries peaking between 3pm and 6pm (27.5 percent of injuries in 2015), and weekend motorcyclist injuries more likely between 6pm and 9pm (28.3 percent of injuries in 2015).
Alcohol Consumption and Motorcycle Accidents
The NHTSA recorded a total of 25,096 auto accident fatalities in 2016. Of that figure, 7,949 fatalities involved alcohol use in some form. Of the 5,286 motorcyclists killed in 2016, 1,600 of those fatalities were linked to alcohol consumption.
Statistics from 2015 show that of the 5,071 motorcyclists killed in 2015, 27 percent had a BAC above the legal limit; 34 percent of motorcyclist fatalities had at least some measurable amount of alcohol in their system. This is another important reminder to never drink and drive.
Learn More About Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits
For more information about your legal rights and options following a motorcycle accident, be sure to contact our team of auto accident lawyers. The attorneys at Quick Law Group, PLLC are here to help you. You can reach us by phone at (425) 576-8150.
