If you ask our motorcycle accidents attorneys, crashes are more dangerous than you might realize when you are outside of a car rather than inside of one. In fact, motorcycle accident statistics are downright scary when you factor in the amount of serious injuries and wrongful deaths that happen as a result every year. Here are some statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
In 2007, 103,000 U.S. citizens had motorcycle injuries.- Over 50 percent of all motorcycle crashes were attributed to collisions with another vehicle.
- Speeding was a factor in 36 percent of motorcycle accidents.
- The number of registered motorcycles increased by more than 75 percent in the last 10 years.
- California has over 1.1 million licensed motorcyclists.
Fatal Motorcycle Accident Statistics
- In 2007, 5,100 people died in motorcycle accidents.
- More fatal motorcycle accidents happened in California, Florida and Texas than any other state. At least 490 people died in motorcycle accidents in California.
- Almost half of everyone killed were older than 40.
- Drinking was involved in 27 percent of fatal crashes.
- Motorcycle helmets are 67 percent effective at preventing brain injuries.
- Only 58 percent of motorcyclists wear a helmets.
- Helmets still save over 1,400 lives each year.