Why Motorcycle Wrecks Happen | Houston Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcyclists face increased risks of injury and death in a collision. A motorcycle rider, especially one who is not wearing a helmet, risks serious, life-altering injuries, including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, road burns, and amputations. Because of the danger associated with motorcycles, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has gathered information from a study about motorcycle accidents and the reasons they occur.

Report Findings

A 2001 U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) study provided some important insight into motorcycle wrecks. According to the findings, between 1975 and 1999, single-vehicle motorcycle crashes resulted in the deaths of 38,000 motorcyclists and accounted for 45 percent of all motorcycle fatalities.

The report highlighted some of its other major findings. From 1990 to 1996, 11,038 people died and 255,000 non-fatal single-vehicle motorcycle accidents resulted in injuries. During this time, fatal motorcycle accidents decreased in number to 937 in 1996 and 1997. From 1998 to 1999, fatal motorcycle crashes increased by 21.7 percent, or 203 fatalities.

Reasons for Motorcycle Accidents

The report identified the most significant causes for single-vehicle motorcycle collisions. The DOT narrowed down possible reasons to the following:

• Motorcyclists age 40 and over die in crashes more often
• More fatalities occur on rural roads
• A high incidence of over-the-limit blood-alcohol concentration exists among riders
• Half of motorcycle fatalities occur as the rider navigates a curve
• More than 80 percent of fatalities occur off the roadway
• The majority of fatalities occur on undivided roadways
• Nearly two-thirds of fatalities occur because of speeding
• Nearly 60 percent of fatalities occur at night
• Over half of all fatalities involve a collision with a fixed object
• Nearly 25 percent of fatalities may result from braking and steering maneuvers
• Less than 50 percent of motorcyclists in fatal crashes were wearing a helmet
• Nearly one third of motorcyclists in fatal crashes did not have a proper license

If you were injured or a loved one was involved in a fatal motorcycle wreck in Houston, Texas, contact a Houston motorcycle accident attorney at Denena & Points at 713-807-9500 or 877-307-9500.