Motorcycle Accident Stats

Motorcycle rider fatalities as well as registrations have been on the rise for many years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 4,810 motorcyclists died in 2006, which is five percent higher than the previous year. About half of all motorcycles involved in a fatal crash collided with another vehicle. A little over one-third of riders that died were speeding, approximately twice the rate for drivers of passenger vehicles or light trucks. Almost half of the fatal accidents show alcohol involvement. One out of four motorcycle operators that were involved in fatal crashes had an invalid license. According to an October 2007 NHTSA report, those who wore helmets were 16 percent less likely to incur serious head injuries than those who did not wear helmets.