Motorcycle Accident Statistics

In the last post (“2014 Statistics Concerning Illinois Fatal Motorcycle Accidents“) various statistics regarding fatal Illinois motorcycle crashes were summarized.

Another aspect of the startseeingmotorcycles.org report cited in the last post had to do with the most-frequently cited “driver-related” factors, outside of alcohol-related crashes, in 2014 fatal motorcycle accidents.  According to the report, these factors were:

• Operating the Vehicle in an Erratic, Reckless or Negligent Manner, Operating at Erratic or Suddenly Changing Speeds
• Failure to Keep in Proper Lane
• Operator Inexperience
• Following Improperly
• Passing with Insufficient Distance or Inadequate Visibility or Failing to Yield to Overtaking Vehicle

As discussed throughout this site, there are many reasons for both fatal and nonfatal motorcycle crashes.  Some of the reasons for, or contributing factors to such crashes, include intoxication due to alcohol and/or drugs, motorcycle loss of control, excessive speed and/or reckless driving, mechanical problems on motorcycles, and various road hazards including road hazards involving deer.

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The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has published a document in its startseeingmotorcycles.org site titled “2014 Motorcycle Fatalities – Quick Facts.” (pdf)

This document provides various details as to the 118 Illinois motorcycle accident deaths in 2014, a decrease of more than 22% from the 152 deaths in 2013.  [note:  the 118 deaths were from 116 fatal motorcycle accidents, and included both motorcycle operators and passengers]

Below are a few of the notable excerpts:

• The 116 fatal crashes involving motorcycles accounted for almost 14% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes occurring in 2014. The 118 motorcyclists killed accounted for almost 13% of all motor vehicle fatalities occurring in 2014. In comparison, 2014 motorcycle registrations only comprised about 4% of all motor vehicle registrations.
• Of the 118 motorcyclists killed in 2014, two (less than 2%) wore a DOT-compliant helmet, 33 (28%) wore a helmet unknown to be DOT-compliant, and 80 (68%) were not wearing a helmet.
• Generally, the hours of 6:00 p.m. on Friday through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday are deadlier for motorcyclists than other periods of the week. In 2014, 64 (55%) of the 116 fatal crashes involving motorcycles occurred during the weekend between the hours of 6:00 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
• 40 (37%) of the 107 motorcycle operators killed in 2014 tested positive for alcohol. Their BAC results ranged from 0.01 to 0.35, with the average being 0.15. Of the 40 operators killed who tested positive for alcohol, 33 (83%) had a BAC greater than or equal to 0.08.
• Weather and roadway surface condition are generally not factors in crashes that result in motorcycle fatalities. In 2014, approximately 97% of fatal motorcycle crashes occurred in clear weather, and on dry pavement.

The document also displays a variety of other information, including in what Illinois counties motorcycle accidents most frequently occurred.

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In the last post (“Illinois Motorcycle Season Safety“) an Illinois Department of Transportation news release was highlighted.  Various safety tips and related discussion were featured from the release, which was titled ““Motorcycle Season Revs Up, Riders Urged to “Gear Up-Ride Smart.” (pdf)

In this news release, various statistics regarding Illinois motorcycle accidents, as well as Illinois fatal motorcycle crashes, are cited.

Here are some of the statistics:

• Three percent of total vehicle registrations are motorcycles, yet motorcycle fatalities account for nearly 15 percent of all vehicle fatalities.
• About half of motorcycle rider fatalities occur in crashes involving just the motorcycle. About 40 percent involve motorcycle riders who had been drinking.
• Motorcycle fatalities increased from 148 in 2012 to 155 in 2013, according to provisional data. The number dropped to 118 in 2014, according to preliminary data.

Additional statistics regarding Illinois motorcycle accidents can be found in those posts found in the Motorcycle Accident Statistics category.

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Should you or someone you care for experience a motorcycle accident injury or fatality in Illinois, please contact the Elman Law Group for a free consultation to discuss the legal situation and to determine whether a personal injury lawsuit should be filed.  Elman Law Group LLC (ElmanLaw.com) is an Illinois personal injury law firm that concentrates in Illinois personal injury and wrongful death cases involving vehicle accidents (car, motorcycle, bike, bus, pedestrian, truck, etc.)

Elman Law Group’s Lead Attorney, Tony Elman, is a personal injury trial lawyer.  Over the last 20+ years Elman Law Group has handled over 10,000 Illinois personal injury lawsuits.

During this 20+ year period, Elman Law Group has built a reputation for its courtroom trial performance, including getting large verdicts for smaller cases.  In fact, because of these court trial accomplishments, many well-known law firms choose to have Elman Law Group take cases to court.

To speak directly to Tony Elman, Lead Attorney of the Elman Law Group, call (773) 392-8182 at any time.  This legal consultation is free.

Elman Law Group works on a “contingency” basis…Elman Law Group’s clients never pay a fee unless and until they receive monetary compensation.

Many different factors can pose risks to Illinois motorcyclists.  On this site, many motorcycle accident statistics are cited – both for Illinois as well as nationally – and various motorcycle rider safety issues are also discussed.

In the January 30, 2015 Bloomberg article titled “Motorcycle Control Loss Largest Crash Cause, Study Finds,” a study by insurer Progressive, as well as comments from the California Highway Patrol regarding motorcycle crashes, are featured.

An excerpt from the article:

Insurer Progressive Corp. found that single-vehicle mishaps accounted for more motorcycle-related claims last year than any other event, the company said in a report Thursday. Mayfield Village, Ohio-based Progressive said it processed 3.5 times more of such claims than for rear-end crashes, the next-most common motorcycle incident.

“Excess speed is the most common rider-related factor in fatal motorcycle accidents,” Steve Carapia, a California Highway Patrol public information officer, said in a phone interview. Motorcyclists who drive too fast can’t identify and react to obstacles in the road, he said.

The article also quotes Carapia with regard to another leading cause of motorcycle accidents, that of motorcyclists riding while intoxicated on alcohol or drugs.  On this site, the hazard of motorcycle riding after drinking is featured on the “Illinois Motorcycle Riding After Drinking” page, which discusses the hazards of riding after drinking and cites various statistics regarding Illinois motorcycle crashes involving alcohol consumption.

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Should you or someone you care for experience a motorcycle accident injury or fatality in Illinois, please contact the Elman Law Group for a free consultation to discuss the legal situation and to determine whether a personal injury lawsuit should be filed.  Elman Law Group LLC (ElmanLaw.com) is an Illinois personal injury law firm that concentrates in Illinois personal injury and wrongful death cases involving vehicle accidents (car, motorcycle, bike, bus, pedestrian, truck, etc.)

Elman Law Group’s Lead Attorney, Tony Elman, is a personal injury trial lawyer.  Over the last 20+ years Elman Law Group has handled over 10,000 Illinois personal injury lawsuits.

During this 20+ year period, Elman Law Group has built a reputation for its courtroom trial performance, including getting large verdicts for smaller cases.  In fact, because of these court trial accomplishments, many well-known law firms choose to have Elman Law Group take cases to court.

To speak directly to Tony Elman, Lead Attorney of the Elman Law Group, call (773) 392-8182 at any time.  This legal consultation is free.

Elman Law Group works on a “contingency” basis…Elman Law Group’s clients never pay a fee unless and until they receive monetary compensation.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently released statistics regarding 2013 motor vehicle crashes.   This document is titled “2013 Motor Vehicle Crashes:  Overview” (pdf) and is dated December 2014.

Among the statistics in this document is the number of people killed and injured in motorcycle crashes.  As seen in Table 2 (page 2) in 2013 there were 4,668 U.S. motorcycle crash deaths, down 6.4% from the 4,968 crash deaths in 2012.

Those injured in 2013 U.S. motorcycle accidents are also seen in Table 2, and totaled 88,000, down from 93,000 in 2012.

Two facts regarding motorcycle accidents, as seen on page 5:

• There was a large decrease in motorcyclist fatalities for the
  50- to 69-year-old population: 190 fewer fatalities in 2013 than
  in 2012 (60% of the total decrease for motorcyclist fatalities)
• There were 11 times as many unhelmeted motorcyclist fatalities
  in States without universal helmet laws (1,704 unhelmeted
  fatalities) as in States with universal helmet laws (150
  unhelmeted fatalities) in 2013.

Additional statistics regarding motorcycle crashes and fatalities – especially those that happen within Illinois – can be found under the “Motorcycle Accident Statistics” category.

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Elman Law Group is known for its courtroom trial capabilities. This is important for your lawsuit because if an appropriate settlement is not offered, we have a proven track record of achieving highly attractive court verdicts.

In fact, because of this courtroom trial results, many well-known law firms choose to have Elman Law Group litigate cases. 

To immediately speak directly with a trial lawyer from the Elman Law Group, call (773) 392-8182 at any time.  This legal consultation is free.  

Elman Law Group LLC (ElmanLaw.com) concentrates in Illinois personal injury and wrongful death cases involving vehicle accidents (car, motorcycle, bike, bus, pedestrian, truck, etc.)  This intense focus allows us to consistently achieve winning verdicts and settlements for our clients.