As the motorbike accident attorney in Indianapolis, it is my desire that the statistics below will be used by serious riders and weekend bike enthusiasts to understand where the greatest threats to their safety lie when riding on public roads and highways. Equipped with this knowledge, riders should take preemptive measures to anticipate and avoid collisions with other vehicles sharing the roads.
What you should know about motorcycle crashes
The following statistics show that enhanced road awareness, helmets and appropriate visible clothing can and does reduce rider risk:
- Passenger-style vehicles are the cause of 56% fatal accidents involving motorcycles
- Forty-two percent of motorcycle accidents involve a car crossing the path of the rider
- In motorcycle crashes involving a passenger vehicle, the motorcycle is struck from the front 78% of the time, compared to 5% from the rear
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows 52% of fatal motorcycle accidents occur between the hours of 3 pm to 9 pm
- Injury to the head is the leading cause of death in fatal motorcycle crashes
- A cyclist is likelier to survive a motorcycle crash by wearing a DOT approved helmet
- The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that all motorcycle helmets sold in the United States meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218
- According to the CDC, helmets saved 1,859 lives in 2016 and reduced the risk of death by 37%
- Wearing high-visibility clothing may reduce motorcycle accidents by as much as 37%
It is also of interest to note that Quote Wizard has rated states with the greatest number of motorcycle accidents, from highest to lowest: Mississippi, followed by Texas, South Carolina, and Florida being the top four with the greatest number of collisions involving cyclists. But after careful analysis, it is also fair to conclude that fair-weather states with longer periods of moderate temperatures, likely skew the statistics.
An experienced motorbike accident attorney in Indianapolis, IN you can trust to represent you
As an experienced motorcycle accident attorney, our lawyers know the pitfalls in injury and wrongful death claims involving cyclists. The best way to overcome the motorcycle bias of insurance companies and juries is to meet it head-on early in the claims process. Ward & Ward Law Firm’s team of motorbike accident professionals wants to make you and your family legally whole again. Call motorcycle accident lawyer Charlie Ward today at 317-639-9501 for a free analysis of your claim.
