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ChatNow that spring is here and consistently nice weather in right around the corner, many of our Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts bikers are gearing up to hit the open road. So, our personal injury law firm weighs in on motorcycle safety and statistics!
While no one wants to think of the worst in preparation for cool rides in optimal weather conditions, we at Bottaro Injury Lawyers see the bad side of motorcycle accidents every single year.
At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we’re excited for warm weather, too. We want everyone to have a safe and fun spring and summer 2024 and hope that these tips remind you of how to stay safe on the road!
In today’s blog article, we highlight motorcycle safety and statistics and how you can help prevent yourself from being part of them. Our goal is to educate our communities to avoid life-threatening accidents. However, if someone injures you while riding this spring and summer, call us immediately to discuss the specifics of your case.
A recorded 82,686 motorcyclists were injured in 2021, meaning about 1% of bikers are involved in motorcycle accidents each year.
As of 2021, there are roughly 8.6 million on-road motorcycles registered in the U.S. This statistic, combined with the number of injuries reported in 2021 puts a motorcyclist’s chance at injury at about 1%. While 1% on its own may not sound like a lot, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that motorcyclists are 4 times more likely to be injured than those in passenger motor vehicle crashes.
Of course, there are many safety precautions motorcyclists should take to avoid being part of this statistic. Two that stick out include gearing up (wearing a helmet, gloves, boots, jacket, and padded pants) and driving defensively.
At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we always recommend wearing a DOT-certified helmet, whether the state you’re riding it requires you to or not. Some motorcyclists take it a step further by riding “ATGATT,” in “all the gear, all the time. We encourage you to do so as well, and reflect on safety precautions with your riding community!
Driving defensively especially matters for motorcyclists because passenger vehicle drivers often overlook or plainly do not see motorcyclists. This is why we often see motorcycle injuries due to left turns, lane changing, and even car door openings. Make yourself seen and drive carefully this spring and summer!
A recorded 6,218 motorcyclists were killed in 2022, which accounted for 15% of all traffic fatalities that year.
As of 2022, motorcyclists are about 22 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash. Two of the biggest contributing factors to this statistic include motorcyclists that bike too fast or impaired.
In Rhode Island, motorcycle accidents accounted for 19% of all traffic fatalities in 2021. In Massachusetts, this number was 15%. In 2021, the national average was 14%, putting both states we practice in above the nation on motorcycle accident fatalities.
About 28% of those killed in 2021 (about 5,932) were driving under the influence. Out of passenger vehicles and trucks, motorcyclists had the most accidents involved with alcohol. The rate at which motorcycle fatalities occur due to driving under the influence significantly increases at nighttime as well.
All motorcyclists should avoid consuming any alcohol before hitting the road. Instead, ride when it’s nice out and if you are drinking, call a sober driver to transport you instead.
About 33% of those killed on motorcycles in 2021 were speeding. We highly encourage you to watch your speed, in addition to practicing defensive driving techniques.
States that do not have helmet laws see higher motorcyclist deaths per year than states that do.
Nationally, states that do not have helmet laws face higher mortality rates than states that do. According to NHTSA, in 2021, 55% of people who died as a result of a motorcycle accident in no-helmet law states were not wearing headgear. In states that require motorcyclists to wear helmets, this figure shrunk down to 9%.
We see this trend in our own communities. In Rhode Island, where the only motorcycle helmet law applies to bikers under 21 years old, 62% of motorcycle fatalities occurred with victims not wearing helmets.
In contrast, in Massachusetts, where you must wear a helmet by law, only 1% of people in fatal motorcycle accidents were not wearing protective headgear.
That being said, we highly encourage all of our community riders to wear helmets, no matter the state that you are riding in.
We hope that these motorcycle safety and statistics serves as a reminder to practice safe riding this spring and summer! And if someone injures you or a loved one while riding, call us to discuss your claim options.
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At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we care for people. Attorney Mike Bottaro and his award-winning legal team handle all types of personal injury cases throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. We can even help on cases in other states as well. We pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity, and results. Contact us 24/7 in any method you prefer for a fast, free, and confidential consultation about your case. Text or call us at 401-777-7777, or fill out our free and confidential online form. We are here to serve and help you!
