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Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

The ultimate popularity of the motorbike wasn’t foreseeable in 1901 as evidenced when Engineering magazine expressed doubt as to “whether the motorcycle will, when the novelty has worn off, take a firm hold of public favour.” Ownership has more than doubled since 1995 when the motorized bike celebrated its 100th anniversary. Today, nearly eight and one half million people, or approximately one out of every 36 people in the U.S. owns and licenses a motorcycle. With an increase in ownership, fatalities also rise. “Most 2 vehicle motorcycles accidents occur because the automobile or truck driver does not see the cyclist,” says one Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Indianapolis, IN trusts.

  1. The state of South Dakota has the sixth highest motorcycle accident fatality rate at 19%; or 1 in every 5.3 vehicular deaths. It should come as no surprise that South Dakota, home to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally leads the country in motorcycle ownership by 1:12.
  2. In 2016, Florida outpaced the state of California for motorcycle traffic fatalities (574 to 566 respectfully), followed by Texas at 495 total motorcyclist fatalities.
  3. In January of 2017, a new law went into effect requiring mopeds be registered. This may account for a decrease in Nevada’s motorcycle fatalities.
  4. Fatality demographics have shifted from the overrepresented young people to the ‘over forties’. In 2013, the over forties comprised 55% of motorcycle fatalities; in 2014, 2015 and 2016 they comprised 54% of the total fatalities.
  5. There are a growing number of women taking up cycling for entertainment and sport. They are represented in the fatality statistics and are on the rise. In Connecticut, female riders involved in fatal or serious injury crashes went from 4.7% in 2014 to 19.2% in 2015.
  6. Most states have reported that motorcyclists killed in single vehicle crashes make up the highest percentage of fatalities.
  7. From 2014 through 2017, Indiana reported a significant increase in motorcycle fatalities on the weekends. The majority of states report most fatalities occur on weekdays.
  8. In 2016, 1,859 motorcyclists’ lives were saved due to the fact that they were wearing helmets. An additional 802 lives could have been saved if they had been wearing helmets.
  9. New Hampshire, Illinois and Iowa have no laws on their books regarding the use of helmets. Twenty-eight states have age-restricted laws; Nineteen states and DC have universal helmet laws.
  10.  In 2017, only 65.2% of cycling enthusiasts wore helmets. In states where universal helmet laws existed, compliance was generally much higher. Non-compliant helmet use in 2017 was 8.6 %.

As one of the Auto Accident Lawyers Indianapolis, IN residents trust, it has been my experience litigating the wrongful deaths of cyclists, that most fatalities occur when the driver is unaware of the cyclist’s presence. This also applies to bicycles and scooters driving in the same lanes as vehicle traffic. Cyclers can improve their visibility by wearing brighter helmets and night-visible reflective gear. The thrill of sailing down a country lane on a motorcycle, unencumbered by headgear sounds appealing but it just is not practical. Live to ride another day!   

 


 

Thank you to our friends and contributors at Ward & Ward Law Firm for their insight into personal injury claims and motorcycle accidents.