Though most people know that driving a motorcycle is dangerous, they do not know the specific behaviors that often contribute to motorcycle accidents. As more people in Virginia look to motorcycles as their primary means of transportation it is crucial that we all understand how and why most motorcycle accidents occur. The following list includes statistics gathered by the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Less than 50% of those fatally injured in motorcycle accidents were wearing a helmet
- Accidents on rural roads account for the majority of motorcyclist fatalities
- Undivided roadways account for the majority of fatalities
- Nearly two thirds of the fatalities were associated with the biker speeding
- Almost 60% of motorcyclist fatalities occur at night
- Per mile traveled in 1998 a motorcyclist was, on average, 16 times more likely to die in a crash than an occupant and 3 times as likely to be injured
- Head injury is the leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents
- Use of a proper motorcycle helmet reduce the likelihood of fatality by 29% in a crash
Though many of the statistics might not surprise you, there is a lesson to be learned. Trends in the statistics point to a few simple steps that could very well save your life.
Our attorneys have seen too many lives affected by motorcycle accidents. Too often it is not the mistakes of the biker, but the inattentiveness of the driver, that causes the crash. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Virginia contact your experienced personal injury lawyer at Tavss Fletcher for your absolutely free consultation.