According to Carsurance, there are roughly 89,000 motorcycle accidents in the United States every year. About 5,000 of these collisions are fatal, with the rest resulting in severe personal injuries. How could there be so many? Part of the reason could be that on average, motorcyclists only have about two seconds on average to complete the actions necessary to avoid a traffic accident.

How can you reduce your chances of getting into a motorcycle accident? Let’s talk statistics.

Common Motorcycle Accident Causes

Unsafe riding practices contribute to the alarming number of motorcycle accidents that occur annually. Below are some of the most common dangerous habits that cause motorcycle collisions and deaths according to studies referenced by Forbes.

Remember to always ride sober, wear your helmet, and follow the speed limit at all times – even if you’re in a rush. It’s better to arrive late than never.

Weekend Rides

According to the NHTSA, the majority of fatal motorcycle accidents occur on the weekends. The NHTSA found that in 2019 alone, 48% of fatal motorcycle crashes happened on weekends, especially between 6pm and 9pm. In fact, about 25% of serious accidents happened within these hours.

Weekends tend to have higher volumes of traffic, which increases the probability of a motor vehicle accident. If you can’t avoid riding your motorcycle on weekends, you can lower your accident risk by avoiding riding at night, and by exercising extra caution.

Summer Time

August is considered the most dangerous month for motorcyclists. In fact, 14% of all fatal motorcycle accidents occur in August. January is considered the safest month for motorcyclists with only 3% of all fatal motorcycle collisions occurring during this time of year. The cause for these statistics is likely the increased summer traffic volumes.

Rainy Days

It’s not impossible to ride your motorcycle safely in the rain, however, poor weather does increase the risk of getting into a motorcycle crash. About 33% of motorcycle collisions can be attributed to wet road conditions. Riding in the rain means trying to navigate poor traction, low visibility, and other drivers who may not see you. If unable to wait out the weather, take precautions before hitting the road such as applying reflective tape to yourself and the bike, reducing your speed, and increasing your following distance.

Share the Road

An estimated 75% of all motorcycle accidents involve at least one other vehicle, with the majority of these other vehicles being cars. It’s important for other types of vehicle drivers to understand how to share the road with motorcyclists, and for motorcycle riders to use caution in case other drivers are unaware of these safety practices.

Helmets Save Lives

Traumatic head injuries are extremely common personal injuries obtained in motorcycle accidents. Wearing a motorcycle helmet can reduce the odds of traumatic head injuries by about 69%. Motorcycle helmets also significantly lower the chances of a motorcycle accident being fatal. Research by the Department of Transportation shows that wearing a motorcycle helmet decreases the risk of death by almost 50%.

What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?

Because of the lack of protection provided by motorcycles to the rider, personal injuries incurred in motorcycle collisions are often life changing and expensive to treat. If you’ve been in a motorcycle crash, ensure that you take action to protect your ability to be financially compensated.

  • Take photos of your injuries and the scene of the accident. Your personal injury attorney can use this evidence to strengthen your personal injury claim.
  • Contact your motorcycle accident lawyer for legal assistance, and do not speak with insurers until you’ve spoken with your lawyer first.
  • Do not post about the accident on social media until after the personal injury case is over to avoid self-sabotage.
  • Seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Delaying getting medical attention for your personal injury can damage your claim.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact us as soon as possible to schedule your initial consultation. At your consultation, you will receive free legal advice from a skilled motorcycle accident attorney near you in Kansas City. We’ll fight for the settlement you deserve.