People involved in motorcycle accidents are more than just a statistic. They are spouses, parents, children, siblings, and best friends. This makes it even more important to understand motorcycle accident statistics and facts behind these tragedies.
Motorcycle accidents in Texas are especially complicated and governed by a distinct set of rules and regulations. It is best to let an experienced Texas motorcycle accident attorney who understands these laws handle your case. They will collect the right evidence to help find and hold any responsible parties liable.
The Stark Statistics of Motorcycle Crashes
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), there were 599 fatalities and more than 2,400 serious injuries from motorcycle accidents in 2023. That is a 7% increase in deaths compared to 2022. Fatal crashes involving motorcycles at intersections rose by 21%.
Texas roadways have seen at least one death every single day since November 7, 2000. Motorcycles are in an even more dangerous category because they are smaller and harder to spot amongst other vehicles. It is harder for motorists to estimate the distance and speed of a motorcycle in traffic.
Riding a motorcycle can be a thrilling experience and can be cost-efficient with less gas consumption and maintenance.
Nonetheless, with the thrills and convenience come with safety risks. What is the primary cause of motorcycle crashes? Even if motorcyclists follow all the safety tips and letter of the law, they can still end up injured in an accident because of several factors, including:
- Other drivers
- Road conditions
- Weather conditions
Ten Motorcycle Accident Facts and Statistics
Part of staying safe relies on knowing the dangers and realizing important accident statistics. The following ten items can help you understand the common causes and factors that result in motorcycle accidents:
1. Fewer Cars on the Road Does Not Mean Fewer Road Deaths
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there have been fewer vehicles on the road over the last few years, but motorcycle deaths have only increased. The statistics in 2023 show a slight decline in overall traffic fatalities, but for motorcyclists, the risks remain high, with motorcycle accident fatalities rising to 1.26 per 100 million miles traveled.
2. Texas Has One of the Highest Rates of Motorcycle Deaths
According to 2022 data from the National Safety Council (NSC), Texas has the third highest number of motorcycle accidents, behind Florida and California.
3. Motorcycles Usually Suffer Front Impacts
The most recent data from the NHTSA reports that motorcycles are hit from the front most of the time. In 76% of motorcycle accidents involving two or more vehicles, the motorcycle was impacted from the front. A rear impact was seen in only 7% of the crashes. This indicates that in most of these accidents, low visibility of the motorcycle played a part in the crash.
4. Motorcycle Crashes Usually Involve More Than One Vehicle
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) research, 62% of motorcycle fatalities happened in multiple-vehicle collisions, and only 38% of the deaths occurred in single-vehicle crashes.
5. Motorcycles and Cars Often Collide During Left Turns
The NHTSA’s 2021 data confirmed that a large portion of two-vehicle motorcycle accidents occurred when cars made left-hand turns in front of motorcycles going straight. This often led to T-bone collisions with severe consequences.
6. Other Drivers Are Often at Fault in Motorcycle Accidents
Other vehicles violating a motorcyclist’s right-of-way are frequently the cause of motorcycle accidents. Motorists may overlook motorcycles or fail to allow enough space to stop when traveling behind or near bikes, leading to substantial injury in a crash.
7. Most Motorcycle Accidents Occur During Evening Hours and Weekends
According to the Insurance Information Institution (III), most motorcycle accidents begins in the late afternoon and increases into the evening. These accidents peak between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays are also dangerous, as there are typically as many accidents over a two-day weekend as there are over the course of a work week.
8. Helmets Are Vital for Preventing Injury and Death
The best way for a motorcyclist to protect themselves is to wear a helmet. Recent data compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reinforce the importance of wearing helmets. Their findings show wearing helmets reduces the risk of head injury by 69% and prevents fatal motorcycle accidents 37% of the time for riders and 41% of the time for passengers.
9. Alcohol Use Leads to More Motorcycle Fatalities
In 2020, the NHTSA analyzed the relationship between alcohol and motorcycle fatalities and found alcohol to play a significant role in motorcycle accidents. More than 25% of motorcycle accident fatalities were alcohol-involved crashes. There is also a consistent pattern in single-vehicle accidents where alcohol contributed to more than 40% of motorcycle deaths.
10. Getting Legal Representation Increases Motorcycle Accident Settlement Amounts
As reported by The Institutes Insurance Research Council, victims of a motorcycle accident get an estimated 40% more compensation from their insurance settlement if they consult a motorcycle accident attorney. Using a lawyer takes the burden off your shoulders as a victim, allowing you to focus on recovering while your legal team manages your case.
Texas’ Share the Road Campaign
TxDOT’s safety campaign, Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles, aims to raise awareness and protect motorcyclists on Texas’ roadways. To help prevent motorcycle crashes, the campaign has put out a list of safe driving habits, including:
- Check yourself: Get in the habit of reminding yourself to watch out for any motorcycles on the road.
- Look twice: Always check your blind spots and use turn signals before changing lanes.
- Take care turning left: Avoid turning left in front of motorcycles and let them pass before you turn.
- Pay attention at intersections: Stay vigilant at intersections because this is where a lot of motorcycle fatalities occur.
- Make space: Stay at a safe following distance behind motorcyclists. Their speed can vary when downshifting without activating the brake light.
- Slow down: It is not a race out there. Always obey the posted speed limits and reduce speed in challenging driving conditions.
- Stay alert: Avoid distracted driving and give your full attention to the road. Even momentary distractions can cause severe consequences.
Hopefully, the more information motorists and motorcyclists know, the safer the choices they will make. It takes everyone on the road looking out for each other to bring the fatality rate down.
Reach Out to a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be wondering if hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer is worth it. Retaining legal counsel can help you gather evidence, including:
- Accident reports
- Contacting witnesses from the scene and conducting interviews
- Consulting expert witnesses like crash scene investigators
In most situations, personal injury cases are settled out of court. A qualified lawyer can skillfully facilitate the negotiations between parties, discussing possible settlements with insurance companies. They will also know when a case needs to go to trial to reach the most favorable results for their clients.
Contact the experienced Texas motorcycle accident lawyers at J.D. Silva & Associates, PLLC today. We are ready to sit down and discuss your case with your recovery and best interests in mind.