Motorcycles have long been a popular vehicle choice for many Americans, but they’ve also been a focal point for controversy over the years. Many states have seen helmet laws come and go throughout the last several decades, and issues involving safety and rider liberty have been ongoing. Throughout it all, there has been a steady increase in motorcycle ownership. Unfortunately, that has sometimes been accompanied by a high level of injuries and deaths for those who ride these vehicles – a fact that many members of the public seldom hear.
Riders in Texas
To understand the true scope of motorcycle deaths in the Lone Star State, it is important to have a basic understanding of just how popular these vehicles are among the Texas population. According to Motorcycleroads.com, Texas ranks third in the nation for motorcycle registrations, lagging only behind California and Florida on that list. There were nearly 450,000 registered motorcycles last year in Texas. The state’s laws for motorcycle use and its consistently fair weather makes it an ideal environment for riders who want to enjoy the thrills of the open road. Of course, such freedom and enjoyment can sometimes come at an extremely high cost.
Riding motorcycles poses increased risks due to the riders’ exposure and limited protection on the road. In 2020, a notable 82,528 motorcycle riders suffered injuries, translating to 468 injuries per 100 million vehicle miles traveled that year. A concerning trend reveals that over a third of fatal motorcycle accidents involve riders without a valid motorcycle license, highlighting the importance of proper training. State regulations differ, but all states require a motorcycle endorsement in addition to a regular driver’s license, typically obtained through both written and driving tests. Analyzing the calendar, August emerges as the most perilous month for motorcyclists, accounting for 14% of fatal crashes, while January stands out as the safest with only 3%. The higher risk during summer months, especially August, may be attributed to better weather conditions. Surprisingly, rainy weather serves as a deterrent for motorcycle riding, as only 2% of accidents occur during precipitation, emphasizing the impact of weather on accident rates. Awareness of these statistics can contribute to enhanced safety measures for both motorcyclists and other road users.
Motorcyclist Deaths in 2020
In 2020, a total of 5,579 motorcycle riders lost their lives in accidents, making it a really bad year for them. This was the highest number of motorcycle accident deaths since they started keeping records in 1975.
Motorcycle accidents made up 14% of all traffic deaths, even though only 3% of all registered vehicles are motorcycles. These accidents also caused 18% of all occupant fatalities and 4% of injuries to people in vehicles.
Wearing a helmet is super important. 2,143 motorcycle riders died in accidents because they weren’t wearing helmets. Helmets can protect against head injuries, which are often fatal.
Speeding is a big problem too. Over a third of fatal motorcycle accidents (34%) happened because someone was driving too fast. Going too fast makes it harder to stop and control the bike, and it makes crashes more likely to be deadly.
Drinking and driving is a well-known risk, and it’s a big issue for motorcycle riders. 27% of deadly motorcycle accidents involved alcohol. This includes times when riders were alone (single-vehicle accidents) and times when other vehicles were involved. Alcohol-related crashes are more common at night, making evenings a dangerous time for motorcyclists.
On weekends, the most common time for fatal motorcycle accidents is between 6 and 9 p.m., with 24% of deaths happening during these hours. During the week, the most common time is between 3 and 6 p.m., with 26% of deaths occurring then, possibly because more riders are on the roads during commuting hours.
Serious Injuries
The evidence has long shown that accidents on motorcycles often result in injuries that are far more severe than those suffered by drivers and passengers in cars – and for fairly obvious reasons. Unlike those who are riding in cars, motorcycle riders have little to protect them when a crash occurs. As a result, those who operate these motor vehicles can be at a higher rate of risk each and every time they take to the road. In fact, statistics compiled and evaluated by the Insurance Information Institute for the year 2021 suggest that, per mile of travel, motorcycle riders are roughly 24 times likelier to lose their lives in a crash than drivers and passengers in automobiles.
Federal studies indicate that riders who operate their motorcycles without helmets are at particular risk, with one report from the NHTSA concluding that more than 37% of all motorcycle deaths across the country involving drivers who were not wearing helmets could have been avoided if those riders had been using the proper protective gear. Obviously, that type of second-guessing can always be argued from both sides of the debate stage, but it stands to reason that more safety equipment should translate into fewer fatalities.
Many of the most common motorcycle injuries involve traumatic brain injuries, and there too helmet use offers clear benefits. According to studies, helmets have been judged to be 67% successful at protecting riders against serious brain injuries. While not foolproof, those helmets clearly provide the head with greater protection against impact with the road or other vehicles, and that can help to offer motorcycle riders a greater chance of surviving any crash.
Texas Rules for Riders
Texas has tried to strike a balance between maximum freedom for riders and reasonable regulations that can help to protect motorcycle users and the public at large. Safety is a major concern in the state, and all matters related to motorcycle safety are managed by the state’s Department of Public Safety, under the auspices of the Motorcycle and ATV Safety Unit. The state’s rules mandate that drivers 21 or older participate in a training course for motorcycle operators or demonstrate that they have health insurance coverage that covers their use of a motorcycle if they want to enjoy the Texas helmet use exemption.
Despite the existence of that exemption, experts almost universally agree that the single greatest step that any motorcycle operator can take to protect himself and his passengers is the consistent use of a helmet. No matter how experienced a rider may be, there will always be the possibility that other drivers on the road make mistakes – and in the battle between a motorcycle and any car or truck, the motorcycle has almost no chance of coming out on top.
Of course, even with the greatest attention paid to safety concerns, accidents will still happen. Motorcycle operators will continue to die, and many more will suffer injuries in crashes across the state and around the nation. When that happens, the process of obtaining compensation for everything from injury-related damages to wrongful death awards can be challenging for everyone. If you or someone you know has suffered from injury related to a motorcycle accident, or if you’ve had a family member killed in a motorcycle crash, you need the help of a competent attorney to ensure that you receive the compensation to which you may be entitled.
