Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers Report Lower Rates of Motorcycle Fatalities

The number of people killed in motorcycle crashes was 4,668 in 2013, a decline of 6.4% from the prior year, according to the latest available data published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Although that’s good news, experts suggest that the decline is likely due to the unusually cold and wet weather in the spring of 2013, keeping motorcyclists off the road. The improvement marks only the second drop in motorcycle deaths in 16 years.

The number of total fatal car accidents also declined in 2013, with a total number of 32,719 deaths, a 3.1% drop from the previous year, as reported by the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.  The decline is consistent with an overall trend – total traffic fatalities have dropped 25% since 2004.

Motorcycle fatalities, however, have not been on par with overall statistics. Since 1997, overall car crash fatalities have declined 23%, while during the same period, motorcycle accident deaths have more than doubled. In fact, the number of deaths resulting from motorcycle accidents has risen in 14 of the last 16 years.

One reason for the rise in motorcycle deaths is likely increased ridership as evidenced by a growing number of motorcycle registrations. Number of miles travelled has also increased, as motorists take to their bike instead of their gas-guzzling car or truck.

Additionally, motorcycles lack the stability and visibility of other vehicles.  When a crash does happen, a rider has a high chance of sustaining injury simply because they are less protected than they would be in a typical car or truck. In 2011, fatal motorcycle accidents accounted for 15% of all motor vehicle crash deaths, even though motorcycles amount to just 3% of vehicle registrations.

Advances in safety technology in cars and trucks have spurred the relatively steady decline in the overall national crash fatality rate.  Many new features available on cars, like airbags, are not available on motorcycles. In fact, motorcyclists are approximately 26 times more likely than passenger car occupants to be killed in a crash per vehicle mile traveled, and five times more likely to be injured.

A 2012 report issued by the Governors Highway Safety Association outlined a number of ways to reduce motorcycle deaths. These included increased use of helmets; a reduction in dangerous behaviors such as speeding and riding impaired; proper training for all who need or want it; ensuring proper licensing of riders; and encouraging all drivers to share the road.

Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers Represent Injured Motorcycle Accident Victims and Their Families

Injuries sustained in motorcycle crashes can be catastrophic, leaving victims and their families with extensive medical bills, lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured, or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in an accident involving a motorcycle, call the experienced and dedicated Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Galfand Berger.  We obtain compensation for injured accident victims throughout Pennsylvania and South Jersey. To arrange your free consultation with one of our caring and knowledgeable personal injury lawyers, call 800-222-8792 today or contact us online.

With offices located in Philadelphia, Reading and Bethlehem we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey including those in Philadelphia, Allentown, Harrisburg and Reading.