What percent of motorcycle accidents are fatal? While motorcycles can be thrilling to ride, our state of Indiana shows that they can also introduce significant risks. At Blackburn Romey, we want accident victims to understand their rights and recover the compensation they should receive after a crash.
In this blog, we help you understand what percentage of motorcycle accidents are fatal. And other tips for safety while having motorcycle accidents.
The majority of motorcycle accidents don’t end in death, but whether or not you survive the crash yourself depends on a number of factors, like speed at impact, protective gear, and the severity of the accident. According to data from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, there were 3,003 motorcycle crashes in 2022, resulting in 161 deaths. For its part, the National Safety Council reports that motorcyclists are at much greater risk per mile than people in cars.
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There are serious public safety issues associated with motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to be killed in a crash per mile traveled than the occupants of a passenger car, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Most motorcyclists who crash seem to survive but with life-altering injuries. Survival rates are influenced by factors such as whether a motorcycle rider is wearing a helmet and the condition of a road and how fast a vehicle is going. As it has been proven that wearing a helmet drastically increases the chances of avoiding fatal injury in a crash, lowering the risk by 60.26%.
The fatality rate per motorcycle does differ by state, but those numbers in Indiana still account for a lot. Nationally, that number was 5,932 motorcyclist deaths in 2022, up from 2021. In Indiana, the motorcycle descriptive fatality per 100,000 registrations stood at 63.1 in 2022, highlighting the considerable dangers faced by riders.
Thousands of motorcyclists die in crashes each year. The NHTSA recorded 5,932 motorcyclist deaths in 2022, which represented 14% of that year’s total fatalities on the nation’s roads. In fact, there were 161 motorcyclist deaths in Indiana during that same period, which shows how significant these types of accidents can be.
Sport bikes have the highest number of crashes due to their speed and agility. These bikes often attract younger, less experienced riders, which is part of what leads to their overabundance in crashes. Moreover, cruiser-style bikes are less likely to see high-speed wrecks, but they are still commonly damaged in traffic accidents due to how common they are on the street.
About half of motorcycle accidents are the rider’s fault, usually due to speeding or reckless behavior. However, carelessness on the part of other drivers is also a major factor. According to a study conducted by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) in 2022, rider error was a factor in 48% of motorcycle crashes in Indiana, with other factors responsible for the rest.
A third of crashes happen because drivers don’t see motorcycles or misjudge their speed. Left-turn collisions at intersections are one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents, and in the majority of cases, the driver of the other vehicle is at fault, according to the NHTSA.
Drunk driving continues to be a leading factor in motorcycle accidents. In 2022, alcohol was one of the threat factors that safety reports identified as contributing to fatal motorcycle accidents around the country.
Speeding significantly raises the risks of catastrophic collisions. According to reports from 2022, speeding was identified as a significant factor in fatal motorcycle accidents.
Limited visibility is a common factor in many accidents, and it can be especially dangerous at night or in bad weather. Riders should always wear reflective gear and have well-functioning headlights.
Drivers tend to overlook motorcycles in traffic, especially at intersections. This is among the top causes of accidents with motorcyclists.
Riding between lanes of traffic, also called lane splitting, raises the risk of getting into an accident. Although not illegal in Indiana, some riders have done this, leading to collisions.
In analyzing factors contributing to motorcycle fatalities, crashing into barriers, poles, or other fixed objects is a major contributor. These accidents are usually related to speeding or losing control.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle crash in Indiana, let Blackburn Romey help you. Our personal injury professionals are ready to help with your rights. Contact our office in Fort Wayne today to schedule a free consultation.
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.
