Motorcycle Accident Facts

Motorcycle accidents, as any personal injurymotorcycle accidents
attorney will tell you, are usually deadlier than car• 92% of motorcycle users involved in
accidents. Whereas a car can help shield aaccidents have no safety or riding training; instead
motorist from injuries, the only protection athey learned on their own or from friends.
motorcycle rider really only has a safety helmet -Motorcycle rider safety training has been shown
if he or she is in fact wearing one - to preventto significantly reduce personal injury and wrongful
serious injury.death in traffic mishaps.
In my personal injury law practice in Seattle,• The typical motorcycle accident allows the
Washington, I see my share of tragedy thatoperator only 2 seconds to take action to avoid a
comes as a result of riding the roads on twoharmful collision
wheels instead of four. I would like to share some• In 73% of all motorcycle accidents, the rider
somber statistics on motorcycle accidents andis not using any eye protection (safety goggles,
caution bikers to be extra cautious when traveling.for example) and diminished vision resulting from
• The number of accidents increases regularlywind delays critical reaction time to danger
year-to-year in the U.S.• The use of a safety helmet did not cause
• Motorcycle deaths are 30 times as great asany significant failure to hear traffic noises or
for those who drive automobilescreate a limited field of vision that contributed to
• Riders under 40 are 36 more times as likelya motorcycle accident
to be in an accident fatality than other drivers• Riders and passengers using helmets suffered
who are the same agesignificantly lower head and neck injuries.
• Motorcycle riders over 40 are around 20These statistics clearly show that motorcycle
times more likely to be in an accident fatality thanusage can be significantly more dangerous than
other drivers who are the same agedriving a car. They also clearly show that taking
• Motorcycle fatalities make up about 5 percentthe right safety steps, such as wearing a helmet,
of all highway deaths, but motorcycles representhaving eye protection and getting some
only 2 percent of all registered vehicles in the U.S.professional motorcycle safety training, can help
• Approximately 80 percent of motorcyclebikers travel much more safely.
accidents result in personal injury or death. CarIf you or someone you know regularly travels by
accidents? Only 20 percent.motorcycle, I urge you to share these facts with
• Most motorcycle accidents are caused by thethem and possibly save them from a motorcycle
simple fact that other vehicles fail to see themaccident that could result in personal injury or
• Weather is not a factor in 98% ofeven wrongful death.