TRENDS IN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

A total of 5,579 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2020. That is the highest number recorded and an 11 percent increase from 2019. Motorcycle deaths accounted for 14 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2020 and were more than double the number of motorcyclist deaths in 1997. Over the last 10 years, deaths have increased 20% while death rates have increased 27%. In 2020 motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes had higher percentages of alcohol impairment than drivers of any other motor vehicle type (27% for motorcycles, 23% for passenger cars, 19% for light trucks, and 3% for trucks).

A few key motorcycle fatality trends for 2020 are set out below. The majority of motorcyclist fatalities occurred:

• On urban roads (60%)
• In good weather (78%)
• During daylight conditions (50%)
• In crashes involving two vehicles (52%)
• When wearing helmets (58%) 
• The most common cause of motorcycle accidents is the failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic. Given a motorcycle's small size, its visibility may be limited by glare or obstructed by other cars on the roadway.

In 2020 throughout Georgia, approximately 179 people were killed in motorcycle accidents and many others sustained serious injuries. From 2017 to 2019, motorcyclist fatalities increased by 22%. In 2019, there were 3,948 motorcycle crashes statewide and a total of 4,269 motorcyclists involved in crashes. For every 100,000 registered motorcycles there were 1,941.5 motorcycle crashes.

USE OF SAFETY GEAR

Helmets play a crucial role in keeping motorcycle riders safe. Because serious head injury is common among fatally injured motorcyclists, helmet use is important. Helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries. Yet only 18 states and the District of Columbia mandate helmet use by all riders. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that, from 2002 to 2017, more than 25,000 lives have been saved by wearing motorcycle helmets.

According to the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), use of Department of Transportation (DOT)-compliant helmets by all motorcyclists (riders and passengers) was 64.9% in 2021. Although helmet use has increased by 12.5% since 2002, use has decreased 8.6% since 2018. Latest estimates show that helmet use has decreased from 69% in 2020 to 64.9% in 2021. In Georgia, ALL motorcyclists must wear a helmet when riding or operating a motorcycle. According to the Commissioner of Public Safety, motorcycle helmets must meet Department of Transportation helmet standards as detailed in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218. Failing to wear a helmet constitutes a misdemeanor in Georgia, which means that you could face a fine of up to $1,000 and a jail sentence of up to 1 year.

HOW TO AVOID MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

In addition to wearing a helmet, as discussed above, there are several steps you can take to make your motorcycle ride safer:

Get professional training. Motorcycle riders who are self-taught or taught by friends account for more than 90 percent of bikers involved in motorcycle accidents. Getting professional training in motorcycle riding could save your life.

Don’t drink and ride. About half of the accidents involving a single motorcycle are caused by speeding or alcohol use --usually these go hand in hand. Not only is it against the law to drink and ride a motorcycle, it is extremely dangerous.

Wear protective clothing. Protect yourself by wearing goggles or sunglasses, a jacket, full- fingered gloves, long pants, and boots. Your clothing should be made of abrasion-resistant material, such as leather, and fit close to the body. Loose clothing can impair your vision. Choose bright colors so that other motorists can see you.

Maintain your bike. Making sure your motorcycle is in excellent running condition is of the utmost importance to safety. Don’t confine your maintenance to the engine and brakes. Frequently check your tires, headlamps, turn signals and other gear.

Do not share lanes. Cars do not expect to be sharing a lane with other vehicles. Drivers tend to look for cars in other lanes, and often won’t notice a motorcycle sharing a lane with them. Motorists might make a quick lane change or drift to one side, with serious consequences to the motorcycle rider. 

Know your skill level. Know your skills, and ride accordingly. Riding on the road is not the time to test your expertise or to overestimate your ability.

WHEN ACCIDENTS OCCUR

Despite our best efforts accidents will occur, and motorcyclists tend to suffer more serious injuries and more fatalities due to their higher vulnerability—the lack of a steel frame around them to protect against bodily harm. When involved in an accident, getting medical care is the first priority; always let EMS workers provide onsite evaluation of your injuries, and transportation to a hospital if necessary. If possible, take photos of the accident scene and get contact information for any witnesses. As soon as possible, contact an experienced personal injury attorney for help in moving forward on your claim. Call or email Dave Thomas at The Thomas Law Firm for a free evaluation of your legal rights.