Fatal Motorcycle Accidents & How to Avoid Them

Although motorcycles represent a small percentage of all registered vehicles in the US, they face a significantly higher risk of being involved in fatal motorcycle accidents.

Recent statistics show that fatal motorcycle crashes have increased by 20%, and motorcycle deaths have soared by 27% over the past decade. This demonstrates how fast the number of fatal motorcycle collisions in the United States has skyrocketed.

Motorcycles are inherently more dangerous than other types of vehicles. They offer little protection to the body and are often overlooked by other drivers on the road. In most accidents involving motor vehicles, motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to be killed than occupants of passenger vehicles.

Fortunately, simple safety practices can greatly reduce the likelihood of being involved in fatal crashes.

Ten Common Types of Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

Riding motorcycles can be a thrilling experience, but they’re also highly dangerous. Unlike other vehicles, motorcycles aren’t designed to absorb the impact of a collision.

Additionally, certain risky behaviors by both motorcyclists and other drivers can greatly increase the chance of a fatal motorcycle crash.

1. Lane-Splitting Motorcycle Crashes

Lane-splitting is when motorcycle riders drive between slow-moving or stopped traffic lanes. While lane-splitting is legal in California, you should always maneuver slowly and carefully.

When a motorcyclist squeezes through traffic this way, the chance of an accident increases. You could clip a side mirror or other part of a vehicle, causing you to lose control of the motorcycle.

Additionally, other drivers may fail to spot your motorcycle in time to avoid a collision, especially since not all expect to see another vehicle moving between rows of cars.

2. Left-Hand Turn Motorcycle Accidents

In 2020, 42% of motorcycle crashes occurred when a vehicle driving in the opposite direction of a motorcycle made a sudden left-hand turn. It’s very common for other drivers to either misjudge a motorcycle’s speed or completely fail to see the motorcycle.

That said, motorcyclists like you should always be looking for vehicles that may be preparing to make a left turn across traffic.

3. Intoxicated Driver-Related Motorcycle Collisions

Driving any vehicle while intoxicated is extremely dangerous, but your risk of death is especially high on a motorcycle.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,934 people were killed in fatal motorcycle accidents in 2022. Of those motorcyclists, 29% were found drunk with a BAC of .08% or higher.

This number demonstrates that despite the dangers of drunk driving, there are still people who ride motorcycles even when they’re intoxicated.

4. Head-On Motorcycle Accidents

Head-on collisions are largely fatal for the motorcycle rider. More than half of all motorcycle fatalities involve a head-on collision. Often, these wrecks involve one or both vehicles driving at high speeds, making defensive driving and collision avoidance much more difficult. You must be careful and observant as a motorcyclist to avoid head-on collisions.

5. Corner-Turning Motorcycle Collisions

Turning a corner on a motorcycle can easily become dangerous. Even a small amount of gravel, sand, or water can cause the tires to lose traction and can cause you to crash. As a well-prepared rider, you should learn to look carefully for any road hazards near turns and take turns slowly and with control.

6. High-Speed Motorcycle Crashes

High speeds reduce a motorcyclist’s level of control and reaction time, leading to a significantly higher likelihood of fatal motorcycle accidents.

Motorcycles are particularly difficult to control at high speeds compared to other types of vehicles because of their lightweight.

7. Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving is a major hazard on the road. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 3,000 people die yearly due to distracted driving. Other studies have also noted that 41% of fatal motorcycle accidents involve distracted driving.

Most people assume that distracted driving only occurs when drivers use their phones while on the road. But truthfully, it takes many forms. EndDD.org says distracted driving can be categorized as manual, visual, and cognitive distractions.

Manual distractions cause you to take your hands away from the steering wheel, while visual distractions pull your eyes away from the road. Lastly, cognitive distractions cause your mind to lose focus while driving.

8. Intersection Crashes

Intersections can be dangerous places for motorcycle riders, especially when drivers fail to yield the right of way or disregard traffic signals. Since there are no barriers protecting motorcyclists, intersection collisions can lead to severe and even fatal injuries.

9. Rear-end Collisions

Rear-end accidents involving motorcycles lead to more severe injuries than most people think. These collisions can cause a motorcycle’s back wheel to lift off the ground, throwing the rider onto the road.

10. Car Door Accidents

Although relatively rare, open-car door accidents can also result in serious injuries like whiplash and head trauma. These incidents happen when a car door suddenly opens and hits a motorcycle rider.

Why Are Motorcycle Crashes Often Fatal?

In the United States, only 3% of the vehicles on the road are motorcycles, but motorcycle accidents account for 14.6% of all recorded traffic fatalities.

Motorcycles are significantly more dangerous than other vehicles. They simply can’t offer the same kind of protection to the rider’s body that other vehicles provide to the occupants. They do not have an exterior frame or paneling and can’t absorb impact like cars do.

In addition, you are virtually guaranteed to be thrown from the motorcycle during an accident like a rear-end crash, sustaining additional injuries from impacting the roadway or other objects.

Five Important Safety Practices For Motorcyclists

While riding a motorcycle has inherent dangers, some simple precautions can significantly lessen those dangers.

1. Take a Safety Course

To ride a motorcycle in California, you must take a training course for a motorcycle license. However, a safety-conscious driver will do more than the bare minimum required.

You can enroll in advanced highway safety courses, where they teach techniques that could save a rider’s life if they were involved in a fatal crash. These include braking, advanced turning, and collision avoidance techniques.

As we mentioned earlier, motorcyclists involved in accidents have a higher fatality rate than those inside passenger vehicles. So, it’s in your best interest to be proactive about your safety while on the road.

2. Check the Weather

Harsh weather conditions make driving a motorcycle significantly more dangerous. When the road is wet or icy, a motorcycle’s tires easily lose traction. Simply braking or turning can become difficult and dangerous maneuvers. You should avoid riding in any questionable weather conditions.

3. Wear Appropriate Gear and Clothing

Motorcycle gear effectively protects motorcycle riders against road rash, debris, and head injuries. It includes a specialty jacket, pants or chaps, non-slip gloves, boots, and, most importantly, a helmet.

Helmet use is extremely important in ensuring that an accident is not fatal. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says helmets are 37% effective in preventing motorcycle accident fatalities. According to their experts, a properly fitted helmet can reduce the likelihood and risk of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

However, you shouldn’t just buy a helmet. NHTSA suggests motorcycle riders look for helmets approved and certified by the US Department of Transportation (DOT). This way, you can ensure that your helmet has complied with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS).

4. Observe Traffic Rules

In 2020, 34% of fatal motorcycle crashes were caused (at least in part) by the rider’s speeding. Simply slowing down, using turn signals, and following traffic rules could easily mean the difference between life and death.

5. Drive Defensively

It is far too easy for other drivers on the road to fail to spot you and your bike. So, as a preventative measure, you must always be observant and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles to ensure you can react when other drivers are erratic or fail to see your motorcycle.

In addition, motorcycle accidents are most likely to occur on weekdays. So, you should never let your guard down just because you aren’t in rush hour traffic.

Ride Responsibly to Reduce Your Chance of a Fatal Motorcycle Accident

While no one can completely guarantee their safety while riding a motorcycle, taking precautions can significantly reduce the risks. Even the most careful riders face hazards like negligent drivers and poor road conditions, but following safety practices can mitigate potential damage and increase your chances of survival in an accident.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a fatal motorcycle accident, the experienced attorneys at Adamson Ahdoot LLP can help.