Motorcycle accident statistics are gathered and calculated after much intensive and detailed study on motorcycle accidents. They are immensely important for all, authorities as well as motorcyclists, and serve many functions. The data gathered by studying the statistics offered helps in effectively combating accidents, or at least in taking steps to try to combat them.

Studies indicate that motorcycle accident rate is on the rise in USA. Brain damages, soft tissue damage, joint, bones, and shoulder breakage are often caused by motorcycle accidents.

Some studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Hurt Study findings, along with statistics provided by the Motorcycle Industry Council, have shed much light on the rate and causes of motorcycle accidents in our country.

A report by the National Highway Traffic Administration states that between 1975 and 1999, motorcycle accidents claimed the lives of 38,000 motorcyclists. The Fatality Analysis Reporting System has analyzed possible reasons for the increasing accidents. Some causal factors include the following: rural roads, high percentage of alcohol content in blood, night driving (which accounts for 60% of fatalities), vision problems, and undivided roadways, among. Weather does not account for most accident cases.

Head injuries top the list for causing deaths. Lack of helmet use or a proper license were found among many who were fatally injured. For instance, the report states that ‘one out of five motorcycle riders’ who were fatally injured in 1996 did not have a valid license. Hence, less trained riders get injured frequently.

Statistics show that wearing safety gear as well as taking defensive driving lessons reduces one’s chances of an accident. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation provides safety lessons for new drivers.

Motorcycle accident statistics are extremely important, supplying relevant data and making us understand how to effectively reduce accidents and injuries.

Here’s a summary of NHTSA DOT HS 809 360

• Single vehicle motorcycle crashes account for about 45 percent of all motorcyclist fatalities. More than 38,000 motorcyclists have died in single vehicle motorcycle crashes between 1975 and 1999. The report claims to provide data for insight into possible causes for these fatalities.

• According to the report, from 1990 through 1999, there were a total of 11,038 fatal single vehicle motorcycle crashes. During that same time period, there were an estimated 294,000 non-fatal single vehicle motorcycle crashes. Of these, an estimated 39,000 involved property damage only and 255,000 involved injuries.

• Motorcyclist fatalities in single vehicle motorcycle crashes decreased each year from 1990 to 1996, reaching a historic low of 937 in 1996 and again in 1997. In 1998, the fatalities increased to 1,042 (11.2 percent increase); in 1998 and in 1999 they increased to 1,140 (9.4 percent). The overall increase in motorcyclist fatalities from 1997 to 1999 was 203 (21.7 percent).

Report Conclusions: Findings from the FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) data illustrate possible reasons for motorcyclist fatalities in single vehicle motorcycle crashes:

Helmet use among fatally injured motorcyclists below 50 percent

More motorcyclist fatalities are occurring on rural roads

High blood alcohol levels are a major problem among motorcycle operators

Half of the fatalities are related to negotiating a curve prior to the crash

Over 80 percent of the fatalities occur off roadway

Undivided roadways account for a majority of the fatalities

Almost two thirds of the fatalities were associated with speeding as an operator contributing factor in the crash

Almost 60 percent of motorcyclist fatalities occur at night

Collision with a fixed object is a significant factor in over half of the fatalities

Braking and steering maneuvers possibly contribute for almost 25 percent of the fatalities

More riders age 40 and over are getting killed

Almost one third of the fatally injured operators did not have a proper license

1998 Motorcycle Accident Statistics:

2,284 motorcyclists died and approximately 49,000 were injured in highway crashes in the United States.

Per mile traveled in 1998, a motorcyclist is approximately 16 times more likely to die in a crash than an automobile occupant. And 3x (times) as likely to be injured.

Head injury is a leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes.

In 1998, 46% of fatally injured motorcycle drivers were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash.

NHTSA estimates that motorcycle helmets reduce the likelihood of a fatality by 29% in a crash.

In 1998, 41% of all motorcycle drivers involved in fatal crashes were speeding.

Nearly one out of five motorcycle drivers (18%) involved in fatal crashes in 1998 was operating with an invalid license at the time of the collision.

Motorcycle drivers involved in fatal crashes in 1998 had higher intoxication rates than any other type of motor vehicle driver at 31%.

In 1998, 500 motorcyclists lives were saved due to helmet usage; 307 could have been saved.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

2008 National Statistics

- Motorcyclist fatalities reached 5,290 in 2008, accounting for 14% of total crash fatalities.

- This is the 11th consecutive year that there has been an increase in motorcycle crash deaths.

- The number of individuals injured in motorcycle crashes has decreased for the first time since 1998, declining 6.8%.

2007 National Statistics

- In the United States, motorcycle accident deaths increased by 6.6%, accounting for almost one in eight motor vehicle deaths.

- There were 5,154 motorcycle fatalities nationwide, and 2007 was the 10th straight year of increase.

- Biker deaths hit an all-time low in 1997. Since that time, they have increased by 128%.

In 2007, 49% of bikers killed in crashes were age 40 or over.

- 31% of motorcycle crash fatalities occurred in the under 30-year-old group in 2007.

- 20% of crash fatalities occurred in the 30- to 39-year-old group in 2007.

- 27% percent of motorcycle riders involved in fatal accidents had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over 0.08 percent.

- In 2007, 36% of all bikers involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared with 24% of passenger car drivers.

- 26% of bikers involved in fatal crashes were riding without a valid license in 2007.

There are about 75% more motorcycles registered now than there were 10 years ago.