Motorcycle wrecks are becoming more numerous as more people fall in love with these fast, aggressive machines. While many of the accidents are caused by poor driving on the part of the cyclist, there are other factors that cause these terrible accidents. In 2003, 3,661 motorcyclists died in crashes, which was a 4% rise from 2002. An additional 67,000 were injured in motorcycle accidents.-NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.)
There are a myriad of causes for these accidents. Some of these accidents are caused by careless drivers of passenger vehicles, and by just tragic accident, for the fact motorcycles are less easy to see on the roadways.
Motorcycle fatalities are not linked to age group, as definitely as passenger car accidents. In fact motorcyclist’s below the age of 20 (139 in 1999) and younger had a far fewer number of fatalities than the next age group of 20 to 29. (758 in 1999) Of course this may be due to the lower numbers of ownership in the prior age group, due to economic factors. In this same year, motorcycles accounted for 2% of all vehicles registered in the US
The highest percentage of fatal accidents occurred with riders of a bike with a displacement above 749 CC. (Cubic Centimeters.) Also note that the average age of ownership of a motorcycle was over 40 in 1998, and based on data it is steeply rising every year, to the point that this age group now accounts for slightly over 50% of owners.
Between 50 and 55% of crashes were caused by multiple car crashes, whereas 45% were caused by single car crashes, and a very small percentage was caused by hitting stationary objects.
Only 44% of cycle riders involved in fatal accidents did not wear a helmet, meaning 66% of those whom did wear a helmet, died invariably. While there is data suggesting the increased safety of wearing a helmet, perhaps helmets are not always effective.
While the data I am quoting from seems to be slanted, or mistakenly incomplete in an effort to make the fault of accidents mostly the motorcyclists fault; the data does not and cannot support this. It would be like saying drunk drivers are the only reason there are vehicle wrecks.
The fact of the matter is that fault is not always one of the motorcyclist’s. The data that could not be found was what percentage of the other drivers (cars) were intoxicated, or speeding, or unlicensed? How many of the “other”, drivers received a citation for DUI, or wreck less driving, or for negligence?
The only thing we can be assured of is the fact that all accidents have variables, whether a driver is at fault is important. And I feel that if that information is not present, then that information becomes slanted.
Grossman Law Offices represents Texas Motorcycle Accident cases. Visit www.texasmotorcycleaccident.com for more information or to contact us for a FREE consultation.
