Motorcyclists make up a very small percentage of vehicles on the road. As such, there are always far fewer fatal motorcycle accidents than there are accidents involving passenger cars, pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and other such vehicles.
However, when you look at fatal crash statistics through the lens of vehicle miles traveled, you find that motorcyclists are actually much more likely to pass away from their injuries. Looking at the statistics on a per capita basis changes how they are presented and accounts for the fact that motorcyclists are less common. Some reports have indicated that motorcyclists are five times as likely to be injured and 28 times as likely to pass away.
Does this mean motorcyclists are at fault?
People are often quick to blame motorcyclists or say that riding is just inherently dangerous. But in many cases, it is not the motorcyclists who are at fault. They do face a higher inherent level of risk because they have less protection, but they often suffer injuries in accidents caused by the drivers around them.
For example, one of the most common motorcycle accidents is when another vehicle turns left in front of a motorcycle. The oncoming driver may not see the bike at all or may not be paying attention. The motorcyclist only has a split second to react and cannot avoid the collision. The rider has done nothing wrong, but they are still far more likely to be injured in such a crash than the person who actually committed the driving error in the larger vehicle.
Because of these risks and the frequency of serious accidents, it is important for motorcyclists and their family members to understand exactly what legal options they have after a crash.