Northern California Motorcycle Crash Lawyers
Northern California Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Motorcycles have been a popular type of transportation for many decades now, and in 2005, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), made up almost three percent of all registered vehicles in the U.S. In that same year, however, motorcyclists accounted for more than 10 percent of total traffic fatalities, making them 37 times more likely to die in a collision as a passenger in a motor vehicle. The NHTSA has provided the following motorcycle accident statistics:
- In 2007, California had the second highest number of motorcycle fatalities nationwide.
- Nearly 55 percent of fatal motorcycle collisions involved the motorcycle and another vehicle.
- A biker involved in a fatal collision with a passenger vehicle, resulted in the biker’s death 95 percent of the time.
- In 35 percent of motorcycle accidents involving a passenger vehicle, the cause of the accident was the motor vehicle driver’s failure to yield the right of way.
- More than 90 percent of motorcycle accidents that involved a passenger vehicle occurred on non-interstate roadways, meaning that nearly six out of every 10 collisions occurred on an urban road.
- More than 50 percent of motorcycle accidents involving a passenger vehicle occurred at an intersection.
- A front-to-side collision, where one vehicle hits the other at a right angle, was the most common type of motorcycle accident reported.
- Helmet use declined from 71 percent in 2000, to 58 percent in 2007.
When Does a Motorcycle Accident Occur?
Motorcycle accidents can happen almost anywhere and at any time, however, the following statistics highlight when a motorcycle accident is more likely to occur:
- Fifty-seven percent of motorcycle accidents occurred during the day (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.), while 43 percent took place at night (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.).
- Almost 43 percent of daytime motorcycle accidents took place on Saturday and Sunday.
- Nearly 55 percent of nighttime motorcycle accidents took place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.
- Approximately 71 percent of collisions involving a motorcycle and passenger vehicle occurred during the months of May through October (the prime riding season in all states).
- Thirteen percent of motorcycle accidents took place in the month of July.
Northern California Motorcyclist Age, Gender and Injuries
A 2005 study by the NHTSA shows 28 percent of bikers involved in a motorcycle accident were between the ages of 20-29 and 21 percent were between the ages of 40-49. Of the bikers who died in a motorcycle accident involving a passenger vehicle, 97 percent were male and only 3 percent were female.
In a motorcycle accident involving a passenger vehicle, 98 percent resulted in injury to the biker. Almost 45 percent of motorcycle accidents resulted in catastrophic injury to the biker. Lower body injuries to the foot, ankle, lower leg, knee and thigh were reported in half of all motorcycle accidents. The most deadly injuries for the biker were trauma to the head and chest.
Recovering Motorcycle Accident Damages
The northern California motorcycle accident lawyers at Estey Bomberger know how devastating a motorcycle accident can be for a injured biker’s health, finances and quality of life. We have dedicated our practice to assisting bikers recover compensation for their medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident contact one of our northern California personal injury lawyers today. We can be reached at (800) 890-6722 to review your case and answer your motorcycle accident questions.