Blog Post

Where Do Most Motorcycle Accidents Occur?

Life as a motorcycle rider can be exciting, but it is also important for motorcyclists to be aware of the potential dangers they could face on the road. Even the most safety-conscious biker can suffer serious injuries and severe damage to their motorcycle due to the negligence of other drivers. So where do most motorcycle accidents occur? Data suggests that over 60 percent of motorcycle accidents happen in urban areas and involve a collision with a passenger vehicle or truck. Bikers who have been injured in motorcycle accidents can learn more about their legal rights by calling a lawyer who is also a motorcycle rider – Chuck Franklin. Contact Chuck Franklin directly for a free consultation: (480) 545-0700

Common Characteristics in Motorcycle Accidents

While motorcycle accidents may not be more common than other types of traffic accidents, the results are often more severe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) releases annual reports analyzing motorcycle crash data. According to data from 2019, 5,014 motorcyclists were killed and approximately 84,000 were injured in crashes that year.

These reports also analyze common characteristics in fatal motorcycle crashes, which offers insight into where most motorcycle accidents occur:

• 61 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes in 2019 occurred in urban areas, with the remaining 39 percent happening in rural areas.
• 34 percent happened at intersections.
• 97 percent occurred in clear or cloudy conditions, 2 percent in rainy conditions, and 1 percent in snow, sleet, fog, or other weather conditions.
• 57 percent occurred in daylight, 38 percent after dark, 4 percent during dusk, and 1 percent during dawn.
• 91 percent happened on non-interstate roads and 9 percent on interstates.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

There are a variety of negligent driving behaviors that can lead to a preventable motorcycle accident. In some cases, the motorcyclist may be at fault for the crash. When asking “where do most motorcycle accidents occur?”, it is also important to consider the variety of contributing factors that could cause a crash. Many motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligence of another motorist who was involved in the crash.

Cars Turning Left

According to NHTSA data, in 2019 almost half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involving another vehicle occurred when the other vehicle was turning left. These crashes often happen at intersections and may involve other contributing factors, such as speeding and distracted driving. Many left-turn motorcycle accidents are the result of negligence by the other driver, such as failing to yield to oncoming traffic when making the left-hand turn.

Drunk Driving

Alcohol is a common factor in fatal motorcycle crashes. NHSTA data analysis found that almost 30% of the motorcycle riders killed in fatal crashes in 2019 had a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit. Additionally, sober motorcyclists are at risk of getting seriously or fatally injured in a crash caused by the drunk driver of another motor vehicle.

Distracted Driving

Remaining attentive while behind the wheel is one of the most important keystones of responsible driving. However, distracted driving is a widespread problem that often leads to serious accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 8 people are killed each day in distracted driving crashes. Some common forms of distracted driving that could result in a motorcycle accident include:

• Texting and other cell phone use
• Eating and drinking
• Applying makeup
• Changing a radio station
• Interacting with a GPS

Any behavior that takes a motorist’s attention away from the road poses a major hazard to every other motorist. For example, a driver who is texting could accidentally rear-end a motorcyclist and cause serious or fatal injuries. If you believe you were injured in a motorcycle crash caused by distracted driving or another form of negligence, Arizona motorcycle accident lawyer Chuck Franklin is prepared to help you understand your legal options.

Speeding

Speeding-related offenses are a common factor in all types of traffic accidents, but statistically have more serious consequences for motorcyclists. The NHTSA found that in 2019, speeding was involved in 33 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes. Comparatively, speeding was a factor in 19 percent of passenger car fatalities, 15 percent of light-truck fatal crashes, and 8 percent of large truck driver deaths in the same year.

Speeding does not only refer to driving over the posted speed limit. Driving too fast for the current conditions is another common speed-related cause of traffic accidents. For example, a driver could negligently cause a collision with a motorcyclist while driving the speed limit on a snowy or ice-covered road, when the conditions may have required them to reduce their speed below the posted limit.

Hazards in the Road

Road hazards pose a heightened danger for motorcycle riders, as colliding with even small hazards can cause accidents. Conversely, someone driving a car or truck could drive over the same hazard without even noticing it. In some cases, motorcyclists injured by hazardous road conditions may have grounds for a lawsuit against the municipality for failing to remove the danger. Common road hazards that could lead to a motorcycle accident include:

• Potholes
• Uneven roads
• Gravel
• Leaves
• Oil spills
• Uncleared snow and ice

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

Motorcyclists who have recently suffered serious injuries in an accident and the families of fatal motorcycle crash victims often wonder what to do next following the crash. Here are a few important steps to take that can help protect the legal rights of motorcyclists:

• Call the police and file an official police accident report.
• Report injuries and seek medical treatment immediately.
• Get contact information from witnesses and any other motorists involved.
• Take photos of your injuries, vehicle damage, and the scene of the crash.
• Adhere to doctor recommendations and document all medical appointments.
• Consider contacting an experienced motorcycle accident attorney for more information on your legal rights.

Learn More About Your Legal Accidents from an Arizona Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Following a motorcycle accident, the biker involved in the crash may be suffering from the pain of debilitating injuries, financial setbacks from expensive medical care, time away from work, and other economic and non-economic damages. During this stressful time, an awareness of legal rights is critical. If the accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, the motorcyclist may be able to secure financial compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.

For answers to questions like “where do most motorcycle accidents occur?” and other crash-related concerns, consider contacting Chuck Franklin Law. Chuck is an avid motorcycle rider himself and understands the unique challenges bikers face. You can learn more about your legal rights in a free consultation by calling Chuck directly at (480) 545-0700.