Most Dangerous States for Motorcycle Riders

Riding a motorcycle can be dangerous, especially when other road users behave carelessly or even recklessly. Motorcyclists lack the protections afforded by passenger vehicles, which leaves them particularly at risk in the event of a collision. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that motorcyclists are four times more likely to be injured and a shocking 22 times more likely to die in accidents than passenger vehicle occupants.

What’s more, riders in certain states are at an increased risk of being killed in an accident compared to riders in other states. To determine which states are the most dangerous for motorcycle riders, we divided the number of motorcycles registered in each state by the number of motorcycle accident fatalities that each state experienced in the most recent year of available data. Here are the ten of the most dangerous states for motorcycle riding according to the math:

1. Texas: One death for every 695 registered motorcycles
2. Missouri: One death for every 806 registered motorcycles
3. Arkansas: One death for every 813 registered motorcycles
4. Louisiana: One death for every 876 registered motorcycles
5. South Carolina: One death for every 897 registered motorcycles
6. Nevada: One death for every 955 registered motorcycles
7. Arizona: One death for every 977 registered motorcycles
8. Florida: One death for every 984 registered motorcycles
9. Mississippi: One death for every 1,010 registered motorcycles
10. Georgia: One death for every 1,048 registered motorcycles

Perhaps unsurprisingly, these states are all located in the nation’s “Sun Belt,” where a warm climate allows motorcyclists to operate their vehicles year-round.

Tips for Staying Safe on Your Bike

As a motorcyclist, you can protect yourself by taking the following steps:

• Wear Proper Safety Gear – Always wear a Department of Transportation-approved helmet, as they have been shown to be 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries. Use protective clothing, such as a reinforced riding jacket, boots that cover your ankles, and appropriate gloves.
• Stay Visible to Other Drivers – Keep your headlights on, even during the day. Don’t linger in other vehicles’ blind spots, and always signal your intentions.
• Ride Defensively – Anticipate other driver’s behaviors and be prepared to make sudden corrections. Always maintain a safe following distance. Stay calm, even when other drivers are behaving aggressively.
• Follow Traffic Laws – Familiarize yourself with your state’s driving manual and always adhere to the rules of the road.
• Be Cautious in Bad Weather – Adjust your driving behaviors to account for poor visibility and loss of traction. Don’t ride in inclement weather if you can avoid it.
• Never Rider Under the Influence – Drugs and alcohol impair judgment, slow reaction times, and reduce inhibition. Almost a third of all fatal motorcycle accidents involve a rider who’s been drinking.

Finally, consider taking regular motorcycle safety classes to hone your skills and learn the latest safety tips.

Hurt in an Accident? You Could Be Owed Compensation

Unfortunately, no amount of caution on your part can eliminate the risk of being in a motorcycle accident. If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s careless or reckless behavior, that person could owe you money for your medical bills, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering. Unfortunately, the consequences of a motorcycle accident can be severe, and the other driver’s insurance provider will look for ways to avoid paying you fairly. That’s why you need a Texas motorcycle accident lawyer to help you fight back and demand the full amount you’re owed. Contact the team at Law Tigers today for a free consultation with one of our seasoned legal professionals. We’ll tell you how we can assert your rights on your behalf and explain how our free Rider Benefit Kit can help.