What Are the Odds of Getting into a Motorcycle Accident?
Riding a motorcycle in the warmer months can be a freeing and exhilarating experience. In Atlanta, you might choose to ride a motorcycle to get around the city while feeling the wind around you. Even though it’s an exciting mode of transportation, it can also be dangerous when you or another driver on the road aren’t paying close enough attention.
After you get into a wreck that wasn’t your fault, you could use the help of an Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney so that you can recover compensation for the injuries and damages you incurred. You shouldn’t have to suffer from those costs when you didn’t cause the collision.
In order to better avoid motorcycle wrecks, let’s take a look at the odds of getting into a motorcycle accident and other statistics in Georgia.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), nearly 5,000 motorcyclists died in collisions in 2018. This number decreased from 2017’s number of riders killed, but motorcyclists are still 27 times more likely to die in a crash compared to people in a regular motor vehicle who get into a wreck.
To determine rider’s odds of getting into an accident, we can look at how many motorcyclists are registered compared to how many get into collisions and suffer injuries as a result. In 2018, III reported that there were 8,666,185 motorcycles registered in the United States. Of those motorcyclists, 82,000 were injured and 4,985 died. This brings the assumed number of total accidents to 86,985.
Looking at those numbers, we can calculate that one percent of motorcyclists are likely to get into a motorcycle accident. To look at it another way, the odds are one in 100 for getting into a motorcycle accident. Those are some low odds and show just how dangerous it can be to ride your motorbike.
But those odds shouldn’t stop you from riding your motorcycle because there are some ways that you can avoid wrecks while on your bike. Let’s look at some ways that you can stay safe while on your motorcycle.
How Motorcyclists and Drivers Can Avoid Wrecks
As mentioned above, motorcyclists are more likely to suffer from serious or fatal injuries in an accident than the occupants of a passenger vehicle. Because of this, both parties need to be careful when sharing the road. Here are some ways that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises motorcyclists to stay as safe as possible on their bikes:
- Practice riding before taking your motorcycle on the road.
- Properly maintain your bike and ensure everything is in working order before you ride.
- Always wear safety equipment, regardless if you’re not legally required to wear a helmet.
- Follow the rules of the road, don’t take risks, and drive defensively.
- Don’t assume other drivers see you.
- Don’t ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Motorcyclists aren’t the only people on the road who need to be aware of their safety. Drivers of regular sized vehicles also have a duty to be vigilant and make the roads safer for everyone. They can do this by always being aware, defensive driving, and always driving sober. By both parties driving more safely and watching for each other, they can reduce the odds of motorcycle accidents occurring.
Bey & Associates Will Represent You in Your Claim
When you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Atlanta and it wasn’t your fault, then you shouldn’t have to deal with the costs of injuries and damages. You deserve justice for what you suffered. Our Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer from Bey & Associates will fight to protect your rights and hold the negligent party accountable for their actions.
An experienced attorney from our firm is prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure that you get full and fair compensation. We’ll investigate what happened, compile evidence, and calculate how much you’re owed so you don’t settle for less than you deserve. And if we can’t settle, we’re ready to go to court for you. Reach out to our office today so we can get started working for you.
