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Motorcycle Crashes

FACT: The Fatality Rate is 6 times Greater Among Motorcyclists Than Occupants of a Passenger Car.

Motorcycle Crashes

Facts About U.S. Motorcycle Crashes

In the United States, only 3% of all registered vehicles are motorcycles, yet 14% of all traffic deaths occur among motorcyclists. In fact, the fatality rate is 6 times greater among motorcyclists than occupants of a passenger car.

Compared to drivers of other vehicles, the drivers of motorcycles involved in a fatal crash are more likely to have a previous driving conviction such as a speeding, suspended license or revocation, or driving while intoxicated.

4 Facts About Motorcycle Riders Involved in a Fatal Crash

  • 4 out of 10 (41%) were not wearing a helmet
  • 1 in 3 (34%) were speeding
  • 1 out of 4 (25%) did not have a valid driver’s license
  • 1 in 4 (28%) were alcohol-impaired

(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Traffic Safety Facts: 2013 Data, “Motorcycles.” May 2015)

Facts About New York State Motorcycle Crashes

In 2014, there were more than 4,000 motorcycle accidents in NYS, involving more than 15,000 people. Nearly 9 out of 10 (88%) of these crashes involved a personal injury. Motorcyclists made up 14% of the 1,026 fatal crashes in NYS.

Roughly 3 out of 4 (79%) motorcycle accidents involved human factors, with the most common factors being:

  • Failure to yield the right of way (18%)
  • Unsafe speed (18%)
  • Driver inattention/distraction (15%)
  • Following too closely (10%)

8 Things You Should Do After a Motorcycle Crash

  • Get medical care that you need. Keep records and receipts from these visits.
  • Take photos of the accident scene. Include stop signs or traffic lights.
  • Take photos of your vehicle to show any damage.
  • Get the names and contact information for any witnesses.
  • Call the police so they can prepare an accident report.
  • Speak the facts at the scene. Never lie.
  • Do not admit any fault.
  • Notify your insurance company of the crash.

The Kuehner Law Firm Approach

Help Our Client, Help The Community
Every motorcycle crash is unique and must be thoroughly investigated.  People are quick to blame the motorcyclist when there is more than one vehicle involved in the crash. This is a bias that all attorneys who handle motorcycle crash cases must address. It is important if you are involved in an accident to contact an experienced attorney quickly in order to protect your rights.
When a client contacts The Kuehner Law Firm soon after an accident, we can get our experts to the scene of the motorcycle crash to examine skid marks, crash debris, traffic patterns, and road conditions. Some of that evidence disappears if it isn’t studied and collected quickly. Gathering this information early can be critical to the success of a case. Our team will also utilize any existing evidence, including reports, drawings, photographs, and videos. Our team may pull in an accident reconstructionist to better understand the crash and we will obtain statements from witnesses. Our team never relies just on the police accident report.  We work with our team of experts to understand the full extent of your physical injuries and property damages. It is through this understanding that we can maximize your compensation for your injuries.
If you are hurt on a motorcycle, you will not be eligible for New York State No Fault benefits.  This means getting your medical bills paid can become a major hassle.  If you are hurt in a car crash, your insurance company is required to pay for your medical bills no matter who caused the crash. Things are different if you are on a motorcycle.  That rule doesn’t apply if you are hurt in a motorcycle crash.  Our team will help you to make sure the bills get to the right place and that your medical insurance covers you the way they promised when you paid your premiums. If you don’t have medical insurance, our team can guide you to where you can turn for help with emergency assistance. If needed, we will negotiate directly with your doctors to help you get the care you need.
Driving a motorcycle is a dangerous activity and motorcycle crashes often involve severe injuries to the driver and passengers.  Our team has experience handling cases that involve wrongful death, broken bones, traumatic brain injury, neck and spine injuries, limb and knee injury, loss of a leg or arm, and major lacerations that can be caused by road rash or road burn.

If you were hurt as a result of a motorcycle crash, contact us so that we help.

Free Case Evaluation

Talk to us—We promise we can help you!

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