If you ride a motorcycle, you may be wondering how likely it is that you would become injured in a motorcycle accident. In this article, we’ll examine motorcycle accident statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to determine the percentage of crashes resulting in injuries.

Read on to learn the motorcycle accident percentage that results in injury or death, then contact our Law Tigers team to schedule a free consultation.

80% Of Motorcycle Crashes Result in Injury

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, around 80% of all motorcycle accidents result in injuries or death (1). In contrast, only 20% of car accidents lead to injuries. Riding a motorcycle places you at a much higher risk of experiencing an injury from a vehicle crash or collision than driving a passenger vehicle.

The NHTSA also reports that the motorcycle fatality rate was 58.33% (2) in 2019, more than six times the number of fatalities for passenger vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, over 5,000 motorcyclists (3) died in 2019 due to fatal accidents.

The data above indicates that motorcycle accidents can be severe, life-altering events. If you or a loved one has recently been a victim in a motorcycle accident, our personal injury attorney team at Law Tigers can help.

Factors Affecting Motorcycle Injuries From Accidents

Several factors affect the severity of a motorcycle accident and the likelihood that the rider would experience any injuries. Here are a few of the most significant factors affecting motorcycle injuries from crashes:

Whether the Rider Was Wearing a Helmet

Wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is the number one way to prevent serious head injuries. Your helmet is the only layer of protection between your head and the object or vehicle you strike during an accident.

The NHTSA estimates that more than 25,000 lives have been saved since 2002 by wearing helmets while riding motorcycles. Helmets are 37% effective at preventing fatal head injury in motorcycle operators.

The Object the Rider Struck

Striking the guardrail or a tree can sometimes lead to a less severe accident than striking another driver. If a passenger vehicle driver hits you during an accident, the momentum of your vehicles traveling toward each other can lead to a powerful crash and severe injuries.

While striking a smaller stationary object can still lead to a serious crash, your injuries may not be as severe.

The Rider’s and At-Fault Driver’s Speed

The speed at which you and the other driver are traveling leading up to an accident can also affect the severity of any injuries. The higher the speed you and the other driver are traveling, the more severe your injuries could be.

Weather Conditions Present During the Crash

The weather conditions present during your crash can affect your ability to slow down or move out of the path of the oncoming vehicle. For example, if the roads are icy, you may not be able to gain enough traction to slow down when you see a driver pull out in front of you.

Rain is also the cause of many motorcycle accidents. While passenger vehicle drivers can use their windshield wipers to improve visibility during a storm, motorcyclists typically do not have windshield wipers, making their visibility poor.

The Accident Location

The accident location can also affect the severity of any injuries involved. Motorcycle accidents on the highway tend to be more severe than ones occurring on residential roads. This is because vehicles travel faster on the freeway and traffic tends to be more congested.

Based on the motorcycle accident percentage that results in injuries, there’s a good chance that your recent accident led to an injury. Contact our Law Tigers team today at 1-888-863-7216 to learn more about your options following your injury.

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80% Of Motorcycle Crashes Result in Injury