As the warm weather sets in, more and more New York residents will enjoy the warmth in different ways. For motorcycle enthusiasts, this means spending more time on the road. While many residents and tourists enjoy the perks of riding on a motorcycle, the reality is that more risks are associated with this motor vehicle when compared to the others on the roadways.
Unlike passenger vehicles, there is not hard exterior shell protecting the riders in the event of a collision. As such, many riders are thrown from their bike in a crash. This often results in serious and even fatal injuries. Therefore, those impacted by a motorcycle accident should understand the potential causes and legal options following the incident.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Based on recent statistics, a total of 82,528 motorcycle riders suffered injuries. This equates to 468 injuries for every 100 million miles traveled that year. A concerning statistic is that more than a third of motorcycle accidents involve a driver that is not licensed to drive a motorcycle. While this likely does not mean that they are unlicensed, it refers to the requirement of a motorcycle endorsement to supplement a standard driver’s license.
When it comes to time of year and weather, it was found that August was the most dangerous month of the year for motorcyclists. Roughly 14% of all fatal motorcycle accidents occur in August. This is likely due to the better weather experienced during the summer months. It was also determined that few motorcycle accidents occur in the rain. The rain is a deterrent for riding, which explains why only 2% of motorcycle crashes occur in the rain.
Fatal Crashes
When compared with other years, 2020 was considered a bad one for motorcyclists. It was recorded that 5,579 motorcycle riders were killed in traffic accidents that year. This was the highest ever recorded since the report began in 1975. It was found that 14% of all traffic deaths were motorcycle riders. Furthermore, it was found that 2,143 of the fatalities involved riders without helmets, 34% of the fatalities involved speed and 27% of the deaths involved alcohol.
No matter the cause of a motorcycle crash, it is important to understand that a civil suit may be an option. The negligence or recklessness of another driver could be the culprit, allowing for injured victims to seek compensation through a personal injury action. For those that lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash, a wrongful death action might be a suitable step to take to recover losses and damages.