At The Insurance Team, we want Queen Creek, AZ residents to remain safe and secure while enjoying their motorcycles. Although every motorcycle accident differs, many share some of the same elements. In this blog, we’ll consider the number of accidents that occur each year and the average damage caused by a single motorcycle accident.
Motorcycle Accidents Prove Serious
According to Forbes, motorbike accidents result in fatalities more often than other accident types – 28 times more likely. Individuals on a motorcycle incur injuries four times as often as those involved in other types of accidents.
Wearing a Helmet Helps Save Lives
Helmet use by motorcycle riders has increased by two percent to 67% since 2021, according to the Insurance Information Institute. However, that’s down from 2000, when 71% of motorbike riders wore a helmet. A little more than half, 52%, of motorcycle passengers wear a helmet.
Unlicensed Bikers Cause Accidents
More than one-third of motorcycle accidents involve an unlicensed cyclist. About 36% of motorcycle accidents each year involved a cyclist who had not obtained a license to ride a motorcycle or had lost their valid license. Every state in the U.S. requires a motorcycle endorsement on a standard driver’s license before an individual can ride legally.
How Weather Affects Accidents
Few motorcycle accidents occur during precipitation because rain or snow makes for terrible riding conditions. This is different from automobiles, which frequently wreck during precipitation events. Less than 2 percent of motorbike accidents occur during precipitation events.
Summer Means Bike Wrecks
August and its fabulous weather pose the greatest danger to motorcyclists, with 12% of fatal bike accidents occurring during the month. Conversely, January is the safest month, with only 3% of motorcycle accidents occurring during that month.
Situations to Avoid Related to Motorcycles
You can increase your safety on a motorcycle by following a few common-sense safety tips.
Always Wear a Helmet
Always ride wearing a helmet, whether you’re the rider or the passenger. In 2021, the most recent year with full statistics, 2,251 people died in the U.S. in motorcycle accidents because they did not wear a motorcycle helmet. Helmets protect against head injuries.
Avoid Speeding
Drive the speed limit or less than that, depending on road and weather conditions. More than a third of motorbike accidents involved speeding – 34%. Speeding decreases rider control of the bike and increases stopping distance.
Don’t Drink and Ride
Nearly one-third of accident deaths involved a rider who had recently consumed alcohol. Single-vehicle accidents account for 41% of alcohol-impaired motorbike wrecks. Don’t drink and ride, and don’t accept a ride from someone who has been drinking.
Avoid Night Rides
At night, motorcyclists triple their chances of an accident. Drunk driving more often occurs at night, with 40% of alcohol-impaired accidents happening during the evening. The weekends prove the worst, with 24% of fatal motorcycle accidents occurring from 6 to 9 pm. The weekday commute hours of 3 to 6 pm account for 26% of motorcycle fatalities.
Contact Us Today
Contact The Insurance Team today to review your motorcycle insurance and ensure that you can properly protect your financial security through a policy. Accidents happen everywhere, not just in Queen Creek, AZ. Remain prepared and take precautions to prevent accidents.
