AZ And National Motorcycle Accident Data

Motorcycles can be a fun, inexpensive way to ride around town. After all, Arizona weather allows for the majority of people to be outside for the bulk of the year, which makes our state one of the most popular for all kinds of motorcycle riders and enthusiasts. However, there are dangers when it comes to entering a vehicle of any kind. As important as it is to freshen up on your motorcycle-road safety tips, it’s equally important to look at accident statistics.

Arizona Data:

In 2015 alone, there were 116,609 reported auto accidents. Of those, 2,911 were motorcycle-related, resulting in 2,497 injuries and 134 deaths. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these motorcycle accidents were due to collisions with other cars on the road during the daytime under normal driving conditions. As much as the Arizona Department of Transportation pushes for safe and friendly road-share amongst motorcycles and cars, not all drivers can be trusted.

The majority of motorcyclists who were in these accidents fell in the 25-34 age range, with riders ages 45-54 following. It was also noted that 1,505 people in motorcycle accidents were wearing protective helmets, while a whopping 685 chose not to.

National Data:

The NHTSA’s (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) National Center for Statistics and Analysis found some interesting numbers at the national level. For instance, in 2013, it was found that nearly 88,000 people had suffered injuries from motorcycle related incidents, while nearly 4,700 people were killed. Unfortunately, motorcycles fatalities have increased by 16% over the course of 11 years.

It was also found that only 60.7% of motorcycle riders in the country were wearing helmets in 2015, while 64.3% were reportedly wearing helmets in 2014.

These statistics can be unnerving for some, seeing that every time you hop on your motorcycle for a ride, you are placing your life in the hands of others on the road. Luckily, studies have shown that wearing a helmet can significantly reduce your chance of suffering from a serious injury. It’s also crucial that any passengers riding along with you wear helmets, as well.

If you are in a motorcycle accident, be sure to call Hastings & Hastings for your professional legal services, today.