Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Traffic in New York City can be hazardous, whether you’re trying to make your way in and out of Manhattan, or running errands in your neighborhood in Brooklyn. Auto accidents can happen anywhere and any time, sometimes leading to catastrophic or even fatal injuries. When those injuries were the result of another person’s negligence, the Brooklyn, NY auto accident attorneys of Gary A. Zucker & Associates can help.
Our law firm would like to take a moment to consider the dangers that motorcyclists face each day. These statistics should be revealing, and a reminded to practice road safety every time you are on your motorcycle.
National Statistics on Fatal Motorcycle Accidents
According to numbers from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,286 motorcyclists were killed in 2016. This is an increase from 2015 in which 4,976 motorcyclists were killed, and 2014 when 4,594 motorcyclists were killed.
According to NHTSA numbers, this is the highest number of motorcyclist fatalities since 2008 (5,312).
National Statistics on Motorcycle Accident Injuries
While the NHTSA does not have injury accident numbers available for 2016, the 2015 and 2014 estimated numbers are telling. According to those figures, there were approximately 88,000 injury accidents involving motorcyclists in 2015 and 92,000 injury accidents involving motorcyclists in 2014.
New York City and State Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Focusing on New York, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles recorded a total of 4,750 motorcycle crashes in 2014. These crashes resulted in 148 fatalities and 4,633 non-fatal injuries.
As for New York City, the New York City Motorcycle Safety Study noted that there were 197 motorcyclists killed in crashes in NYC from 2010-2014. Additionally, New York City’s fatal crash rate is nearly twice the fatal crash rate for motorcyclists outside of the NYC area.
Motorcycle Accidents and Speeding
According to the NHTSA, speeding played a role in approximated 33 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes in 2015. By comparison, speeding played a role in 19 percent of passenger vehicle fatalities and 15 percent of light-truck fatalities. This is just another reminder to abide by traffic laws and posted speed limits at all times.
Motorcycle Accidents and Time of Day
NHTSA numbers found that most motorcyclists are likely to be killed on weekdays during the commuting hours of 3pm and 6pm (23.7 percent of 2015 fatalities); and on weekends between 6pm to 9pm (24.6 percent of 2015 fatalities). Injuries followed similar trends, with weekday motorcyclist injuries peaking between 3pm and 6pm (27.5 percent of injuries in 2015), and weekend motorcyclist injuries more likely between 6pm and 9pm (28.3 percent of injuries in 2015).
Alcohol Consumption and Motorcycle Accidents
The NHTSA recorded a total of 25,096 motor vehicle fatalities in 2016. Of that number, 7,949 fatalities involved alcohol impairment. Of the 5,286 motorcyclists killed in 2016, 1,600 of those deaths were in alcohol-impaired collisions.
Numbers from 2015 reveal that of the 5,071 motorcyclists killed in 2015, 27 percent had a BAC above the legal limit, and that 34 percent of motorcyclists killed had at least some alcohol in their system. This is another important reminder to never drink and drive.
Learn More About Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits
For more information about your legal rights and options after a serious motorcycle accident, be sure to contact the lawyers of Gary A. Zucker & Associates. Our attorneys are on your side. You can reach our law firm by phone at (718) 624-1211.