Motorcycle Accident Trends and Statistics in 2016

Motorcycle accident fatalities occur with disturbing frequency, according to numerous, independent industry surveys. However, the data show that motorcyclists can take proactive measures to reduce risk, especially if they wear helmets and avoid riding while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

A Brief History of Helmet Safety Laws

Nineteen states and the District of Columbia require helmets for all motorcyclists as of March 2016. The federal government enforced helmet laws for all riders starting in 1967, but in 1976, the states won the right to make their own helmet laws, and the Department of Transportation quit tying federal funding into helmet-law compliance.

Helmets, Statistics, and Safety

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, riders can protect themselves by always wearing helmets. While some states mandate protective gear for riders and passengers, Colorado does not unless the person is younger than 18. However, all riders must wear some type of eye protection beyond what a windshield offers.

Further statistics show that:

• Helmets lower the possible risk of a head injury by nearly 70 percent and cut the risk of death by 37 percent.
• In 2006, in states with mandated helmet laws, only 13 percent of riders in fatal accidents had not been wearing helmets. In states without mandated helmet laws, however, that number spiked to 65 percent of riders in fatal crashes.
• In 2013, according to analyses, the use of helmets saved states $2.8 billion and preserved 1,630 lives.
• More work needs to be done. If all motorcyclists donned helmets, the nation could save an additional $1.1 billion.

Dr. Thomas Frieden, the director of the CDC, has argued emphatically for the need for universal helmet laws to keep riders and their passengers safe.

An Overview of Trends in Motorcycle Accident Deaths

In 2014, motorcycle fatalities claimed the lives of nearly 4,300 motorcyclists. While deaths have been on a downward trend since the early 1980s, they started climbing in 1998 and continued to do so for the next decade. From 2009 to 2014, they declined, then increased, and then dropped again.

If you have lost a family member due to a motorcycle accident fatality, contact the caring professionals at our personal injury law firm. We can help you seek justice and possible compensation on the behalf of your loved one.