Several alarming statistics abound on road safety. Did you know the danger factors in motorcycle death statistics vs car fatality rates are considerably different? At Blackburn Romey, we would like to look at the statistics and clarify the options available to you in case you have become involved in a personal injury case in Indiana.
Motorcycle accidents occur at a considerably lower rate than automobile crashes, but they more frequently end in serious injury or fatality. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, for 2022, motorcyclists accounted for 15% of all traffic fatalities and 19% of all motor vehicle occupant (driver and passenger) fatalities.
Motorcycles are much more hazardous than cars because of their small size, lack of protection, and greater exposure to road dangers. NHTSA mentions that in 2022, motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes had higher percentages of alcohol impairment than drivers of any other motor vehicle type: 28% for motorcycles, 25% for passenger cars, 21% for light trucks, and 3% for large trucks. With their enclosed structure, airbags, and advanced safety features, cars provide significantly better crash protection.
The mortality rate for motorbikes was nearly 22 times higher than that for automobile riders, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2022. Unlike passengers inside a vehicle, a motorcycle rider is never secured in a vehicle and is therefore exposed to the risk of severe injury or death should an accident occur.
Also, NHTSA reported that 6,218 motorcyclists died in traffic crashes in 2022, accounting for 15% of the total number of traffic fatalities. This lays bare the extreme vulnerability of bikers. Hazards on the road, such as slick or uneven surfaces, heighten those risks for a motorcycle more than for many other vehicles.
Passenger vehicles dominate the number of crashes because of their prevalence on the roads. Nevertheless, the car’s mortality risk is measured in miles traveled, lower than that of motorcycles. This owes to the various in-built safety features of cars, which include airbags, seatbelts, and structural reinforcements to absorb the force while impacting against any object.
No, car crashes are much more common than motorcycles, considering the number of cars on the road. Nonetheless, motorcycle crashes tend to have much worse consequences.
Motorcycle drivers experience fatal accidents at a much higher rate than car drivers. The National Safety Council states that motorcycles caused 14.6% of all traffic fatalities and 3.5% of all injuries in the US in 2022. Such figures are attributed to motorcycles’ lesser stability and visibility to other road users and to the lesser physical protection afforded to their operators compared to car drivers.
The major causes of accidents in a vehicle include distracted driving, high speeds, operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and poor weather. Of the listed causes, distracted driving alone is blamed for thousands of avoidable crashes per year, as mentioned by the NCS.
Advanced safety features in vehicles nowadays are advantageous, but they are not effective in completely eliminating the risk of human errors and environmental factors.
Drivers not seeing motorcycles and therefore making unsafe lane changes or left turns are the most common motorcycle accidents. Other principal contributing factors are speeding and riding under the influence of alcohol. Also, visibility poses unique problems for motorcyclists because, due to their smaller size, they can easily be overlooked by other drivers, especially in dim light or bad weather conditions.
Moreover, motorcycles are the most vulnerable when it comes to road hazards, including gravel, potholes, or slick surfaces that may lead to loss of control and serious crashes. Such unique risks keep an eye on the contractor’s safety and riding gear from injury. x
At Blackburn Romey, we fully comprehend that making sense of the different risks of car and motorcycle accident types is just the beginning. We will be here for you and your loved ones throughout your recovery process if you have sustained an injury in an Indiana accident.
We have been fighting tirelessly for the rights of injured clients for many years, and we will make every effort to ensure that you receive the compensation to which you are legally entitled. Contact us today for your free consultation, and we will guide you through your options.
Blackburn Romey founding partner Tom Blackburn graduated with honors receiving a degree from Indiana University at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Initiating his legal career in 1977, he has been active in practicing law and currently serves as a member of the Indiana State Bar Association on the Ethics and Advertising Committees, the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, as a board member at the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and as an appointed member of the Executive Committee for the State of Indiana for the National Trial Lawyers Association.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Tom Blackburn, who has more than 47 years of legal experience, including over 39 years specializing as a personal injury attorney.
