The increasing popularity of motorcycles in Virginia means that there are now more motorcycle accidents that result in injuries and sometimes death. Sales for motorcycles have shot up, perhaps influenced by the high cost of gas, and more people than ever are licensed to ride motorcycles. Research into the dramatic rise in motorcycle accidents and fatalities has revealed some surprising accident facts:
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Motorcycle accident deaths are at their highest level since 1975, when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began collecting data
Motorcycle accident fatalities have increased every year for the past 10 years
The all-time low for motorcycle accident fatalities was in 1997
If you ride a motorcycle, you are 35 times more likely to die in an accident than occupants of a passenger vehicle per vehicle miles traveled
Bikers are 8 times more likely to be injured in an accident than occupants of a passenger vehicle
Motorcycle accidents account for 13% of all traffic fatalities
Motorcyclists over the age of 40 account for nearly half of all motorcycle fatalities, up from only 33% ten years earlier
Motorcycle fatalities in the under-40 age group have dropped in the last 10 years
Motorcycle riders killed in an accident are more likely than car or truck drivers to be legally intoxicated (a BAC greater than or equal to 0.08%)
Again, older riders – those over 40 – were the most likely to be intoxicated when killed while riding their motorcycle
Intoxicated motorcyclists are more likely to be involved in a single-vehicle accident (an accident that does not involve another vehicle – only the motorcyclist), and these accidents increase for intoxicated drivers on the weekend
Motorcycle riders are also more likely than car or truck drivers to be killed while speeding
Over a quarter of motorcycle riders killed did not have a valid motorcycle license
Riders of high-performance “supersport” motorcycles are four times as likely as riders of “regular” motorcycles to be killed in an accident
Excessive speed and driver error are the most common cause of fatal accidents for high-performance “supersport” motorcycle riders; these riders are also far more likely to be killed while speeding than riders of “regular” motorcycles
In 2007, 1,784 lives were saved by motorcycle helmets and 800 more would have been saved if the rider had been wearing a helmet
If you or someone you love has been involved in a serious motorcycle accident in the Norfolk or Virginia Beach area, you may be looking for an experienced attorney. Please contact the personal injury attorneys at Tavss Fletcher to discuss your motorcycle accident injury case for no fee and absolutely no obligation.
TAVSS FLETCHER
RBC Centura