Previous information about the most accident-sensitive type of road would make you aware of the potential red signals. If you are a motorcyclist, you must learn about where Most Motorcycle Crashes Occur. So, do you want to know where most fatalities and crashes occur?
Most fatal motorcycle accidents happen in urban areas (60%), and the remaining in rural areas (40%). In urban areas, 51% of the total motorcycle accident occur at most motorcycle crashes occur on freeways or intersections.
Keep reading this article to find out the crucial facts that may help you avoid motorcycle accidents to a greater extent.
According to statistics, almost 5,014 motorists died in 2019. Sadly, 981 motorists died due to their awareness. If we don’t want to be one of them, let’s get into the below section.
Check More: Motorcycle Tip-Over Damage
Where Do Most Motorcycle Crashes Occur?
Yes, specifically, a study shows that around 11.8% of motorcyclists die due to road errors such as debris, broken traffic light, and unexpected intersections. But that’s not always the main reason for death. Sometimes, a slight mistake or lack of knowledge can severely affect.
Let’s see how your awareness can impact your odds of surviving a motorcycle accident.
More Collisions HAPPEN in Urban Areas (Where Most Motorcycle Crashes Occur?)
Don’t try overspeeding in unknown regions. A recent motorcycle accident happened in San Diego, California. The rider was unfamiliar with the site and lost control while taking turns due to going through the right side. But the rider was supposed to travel on the left side according to the road signals.
According to NHTSA (The National Highway Traffic And Safety Administration), 60% of fatal accidents occur in urban areas, and 40% happen in rural areas. In this context, most Motorcycle Crashes Occur due to harmful riding environments in urban areas.
In urban areas, there are more curves, debris, and hazards found in roadways than in rural areas. Most importantly, urban areas feature significantly more traffic than rural areas. Most motorcycle accidents involve other vehicles, and traffic is one of the main reasons.
From pedestrians, bicyclists, and emergency vehicles to faulty roads and debris in roadways, the rate of hazards is always higher in urban areas.
However, fatal motorcycle accidents always occur on major, non-interstate roads regardless of urban or rural area.
The way interstate and non-interstate roads impact motorcycle accidents by 36%
NHTSA again showed that 91% of motorcycle fatalities occur on non-interstate roads. Wondering why?
Because many motorcyclists ride to enjoy the landscape, they travel outside the state, and the duration is also more extended than in chronic cases. That’s why motorcyclists tend more to commit an accident on non-interstate roads.
But on the other hand, interstate roads are used more by commuters and travelers. They traditionally use motorcycles to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible for business purposes and short-term journeys at the highest level.
We have discovered that motorcyclists often ride for pleasure than other purposes. Such purpose makes the choose roads rather than interstates for the best experience.
Some states feature a red signal for motorcycle fatality
A recent study has compared the number of motorcycle registrations with the “2017 motorcycle fatality” by NHTSA. The study intends to determine which states had the highest motorcycle accident fatalities. Unsurprisingly, the study found that more accidents occurred in states with warmer climates and longer riding seasons.
Due to the temperate and motorcycle optimistic wether, tourists or residents choose motorcycles to a greater extent. Almost 8 out of every ten states where most fatal motorcycle accidents happen are southern or somewhat southern states.
For example, some red signaling states are Mississippi, Texas, South Carolina, Florida, and Arizona. Arizona, among them, contains the lowest rate of 0.94% fatalities.
The top ten list of registered motorcycles include Carolina, New Mexico, Kentucky, Missouri, and Louisiana. Moreover, other Southern parts like Tennessee, Nevada, Alabama, and Georgia took their place in the top twenty list.
So, undoubtedly, the list above apparently shows that most motorcycle accident occurs in States where the weather is warmer and optimized for motorists.
A report also disclaims that motorcycle fatalities occur more in warmer months and tend to slow down during the cold season, even in the southern areas.
Some road types and places are specifically responsible for motorbike collisions (Where Do Most Motorcycle Crashes Occur)
So, we have already explained the influence of motorcycle accidents depending on urban-rural areas and states.
But the curiosity of specifically the sensitive places remains unanswered. What type of universal road causes the most accidents, and in what circumstances?
Let’s first discuss the influence of some highways that may be responsible for motorcycle accidents.
Highway Motorcycle Crash
Some parts of the highway where naturally, unusual high st take their place. Consequentially, those parts become slippery, and the controllability of the motorcycle gets lower.
In a couple of months, we observed through the motorcycle communities and learned that around 7% of motorcycles crashed due to getting slipped away. Besides, a highway motorcycle crash is more about the type of motorcycle.
But the case of accidents is different on major and well-structured highways. The primary reason for accidents on roads is traffic. Yes, heavy vehicles often travel through more prominent streets like highways.
The speed limit is also relatively low; therefore, an alight mistake while driving can cause massive accidents.
In addition, many motorcycle accidents also occur due to faulty road debris in the roadway.
But highways are not the only place where most accidents occur. Around 30% of urban area accidents occur on Highways; what about the rest of 40%? Check out the answer below. In the third quarter of 2021, Statista found under 284 million vehicles running on roads in the US.
Might be Useful For You: Your Responsibilities After a Motorcycle Crash
I provided the statistics above to understand how much pressure the highways tolerate. More vehicles drive through the street; therefore, some issues can abruptly show up, resulting in a faulty part.
If such happens, the rider can file a case against the state. The state will be obliged to compensate the driver for injury once it’s on behalf of the motorcyclist.
The same thing also applies to debris in the roadway and other road-related faults.
About 51% of Urban Motorcycle Crashes Occur at Intersections
Intersections are the most familiar place for motorcycle accidents outside the box of fast-moving highways. Even NHTSA reported that 51% of motorcycle fatalities happen at intersections.
To avoid accidents at intersections, it’s more important to know the causes. Understanding the reasons for an intersection accident can help you a lot. The common reasons are the following:
- Lose control while taking turns.
- Overspeeding without awareness.
- Ignoring red lights.
- Hazards that make the visibility poor. Such as other heavy vehicles, trees, or buildings.
- Negligent giant-vehicle drivers who don’t see the bird-sized motorcycles turn.
- Poor driving skills.
- Weather conditions are another reason for poor visibility.
How to avoid most motorcycle crashes on freeways or intersections
Although it’s impossible to control the actions of other drivers while driving, motorists can take proactive steps to minimize the chances of an accident at intersections. Abiding by the below rules can help you significantly:
- Brake and lower your speed: Reduce your motorcycle speed regardless of the situation, even if it’s a green light. Braking early will help you to avoid skidding. A report says that intersections are dustier and more slippery due to the connection of multiple roads. And be aware of obstructions like buildings or trees. If you can’t see other vehicles due to obstacles, neither can the other driver. That’s why lowering speed is crucial in all aspects.
- Efficiently anticipate other vehicles: A common reason for motorcycle accidents is hitting the car in front. If you fail to notice a vehicle after you are at the intersection, it will result in a crash. That’s why make it a habit to see both ways before navigating through a meeting. Moreover, Notice the driver and the wheels to anticipate where the driver intends to go.
- Improve visibility from motorcycle: Don’t try saving electricity by Turning DRL (Daytime Running Lamp) off, not even in bright and shiny hours. Having reflective stripes and visibility aids is a great tool to help. Make sure you have an excellent helmet to assist in the viewing experience. One should not even remove a motorcycle helmet after a crash until hospitalization or breathing difficulties.
- Defensive motorcycle driving is crucial: Don’t stay in the blind spots of incoming vehicles. Do not drive in lane splitter at intersections. And at last, make sure the path ahead is clear before goosing the throttle.
What should you do after an accident at the intersection (Where Do Most Motorcycle Crashes Occur)
A study says almost ¾ of motorcycle accident involves collision with another vehicle. That means the second reason for most motorcycle crashes is the involved vehicle.
Despite the best efforts to avoid an accident, if an accident has still occurred while crossing the intersection; performing the following tasks afterward is vital:
- Check for injuries: Carefully check for the damages. But don’t move your limbs too much. Be very careful because sometimes moving the injured limbs can cause more problems. Occasionally, some injuries don’t show up early, like joint injuries.
- Seek emergency services: if you, unfortunately, got injured, call 911 for a medical emergency immediately. If possible, call the police too to investigate the accident. Don’t worry; the extra medic emergency personnel will always call the police.
- Note the facts of the crash: Although you may assume you can remember the scene, it’s not as you think. You can forget the vital information needed to prove your position in court. Therefore, take out your smartphone or piece of paper and write down as many facts as possible.
- Capture pictures: If you don’t have a dashcam, take out your smartphone or any other available camera and shoot the venue’s scene.
- Gather witness contacts: you will always have another vehicle or pedestrian passing by during an accident. Take their contact information and note it down. They are valuable evidence to the court.
Also Read: Here’s what to do if you were involved in a no-fault motorcycle accident
The reality of motorcycle accidents and national statistics
The NHTSA publishes annual statistics on motorcycle accident cases. Unfortunately, more prominent organizations should research and publish reports like NHTSA.
In the most recent report of NHTSA, as of 2018, around 5,000 motorcyclists lost their lives due to motorcycle accident fatalities. In addition, another 82,000 individuals suffered motorcycle-involved accident injuries.
These statistics are alarming. Thankfully, the five-figure individual suffering has decreased over the previous few years. But the numbers are still satisfactorily significant.
What has happened is over. The matter of concern for motorcyclists is getting insurance after facing an accident. There are personal accident insurance policies for each state. But after a motorcycle accident, getting sufficient or at least partial insurance is crucial to bear all the afterward expenses.
Due to the significant number of motorcycle fatalities, insurance companies always like to deny insurance claims by labeling them “reckless.”
Don’t worry; we will discuss the efficient way of getting insurance in this article.
Also Read: Is it dangerous to ride a motorcycle?
The general consequences of a motorcycle accident
Motorcycle accidents, in a vast number, lead to severe injuries. As a result, individuals suffer pain and financial impact. Even, Most Motorcycle Crashes Occur, increasing fatality results.
When such motorcycle accidents occur by the negligence of other parties, the accident victims go for legal recourses. But in case of fatal accidents, the surviving family members take wrongful death actions on behalf of the victim and against the negligent party.
Sometimes, negligent drivers don’t stop after hitting. Instead, they run away, fearing the legal steps. But it’s a grave mistake.
Unfortunately, drivers who run away don’t know the penalty for hitting a motorcyclist. It’s a criminal activity, and the court especially takes such cases for disregarding injury victims’ lives. As a result, the injured party gets no lenient punishment.
In minimal accidents, no parties usually face legal actions unless anyone is injured or injured severely. Both parties could compromise if it were just a little mistake. Keep in mind that it is better to avoid quarreling with the involved party.
If necessary, take legal steps or compromise the consequence if no one was injured.
Can you expect to get insurance for your chances of a motorcycle accident injury claim?
Yes and no. We know that about half of the injured motorcyclists got insurance in 2017. That means only 50% of injured motorcyclists who seek insurance got compensated. In Los Angeles, we have talked to the top 15 motorcycle accident lawyers, who said getting insurance is a complex topic in the US.
No worries! If you’re confident that you were at no fault for the occurrence, chill! You will get insurance for sure. The insurance company will try their best to deny your injury claim by accusing you of reckless. But if you have enough evidence, they will not be able to avoid compensating you at any cost.
Hire a motorbike injury lawyer for massive accidents because complex cases require more legal steps and procedures.