New York Motorcycle Accident Statistics & Facts

Of all the types of accidents that occur on the roadways in New York, motorcycle accidents are often the most serious. This is due to how exposed and vulnerable motorcyclists are. Motorcycle riders don’t have the protection and safety features that car drivers have. This article will highlight some of the key statistics and facts about Long Island motorcycle accidents.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a motorcycle accident in New York or Long Island that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to financial compensation. The experienced and compassionate New York City motorcycle accident lawyers at Finz & Finz, P.C. are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Our highly skilled lawyers have provided legal representation for many motorcycle traffic collision victims throughout New York, and we’re ready to help you as well.

Call Finz & Finz, P.C. today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Here are 18 statistics and facts regarding motorcycle crashes in New York and nationwide:

1. According to the New York City Motorcycle Safety Study, a study that examines the state of motorcycle safety throughout the city, just 2% of registered vehicles are motorcycles. However, from 2010-14, motorcycle riders made up 14% of traffic fatalities in the city. The study found that 56% of motorcyclist fatalities were under 35 years old.
2. The fatal crash rate for motorcycle riders in New York City is almost twice that of New York State.
3. From 2012-2014, there were, on average, 141 fatalities every year due to motor vehicle crashes involving motorcyclists in New York, according to the New York State Department of Health.
4. Nearly all motorcycle rider fatality victims are male.
5. On average, almost 5,000 motorcycle accidents occur in New York each year, injuring over 2,000 people.
6. On average, 4,000 New York residents are treated in an emergency room every year as a result of motorcycle crashes. That breaks down to 11 people each day.
7. On average, there are 1,558 people hospitalized every year in New York due to motor vehicle crashes involving motorcyclists. That’s 7.9 of every 100,000 people in New York.
8. Motorcycle crashes are more likely to happen during the afternoon or evening and on the weekends.
9. The number of motorcycle crashes increases substantially during the summer.
10. Alcohol use was less common in motorcycle riders involved in deadly crashes than in motor vehicle driver fatalities in the city.
11. Motorcyclists between the ages of 20 and 24 have the highest fatality rate of all age groups.
12. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2018, 4,985 motorcycle riders died in motorcycle accidents, a 5% decrease from 2017.
13. Because brain injuries are common among injured motorcyclists, helmet use is essential. However, only 18 states mandate helmet use by all motorcycle riders. According to the NHTSA, in 2017, helmets saved the lives of nearly 2,000 motorcyclists.
14. The agency found that if all motorcyclists had used helmets, 749 more lives could have been saved. Helmets are approximately 37% effective in preventing motorcycle fatalities and approximately 67% effective in preventing TBIs. Thus, for every 100 motorcyclists killed in accidents while not wearing a helmet, 37 of them could have been saved had they all worn helmets.
15. NHTSA found that in 2017, $21 billion in comprehensive costs were saved by the use of helmets. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets that year, an additional $8.9 billion in comprehensive costs could have been saved.
16. According to the National Safety Council, while motorcycles make up just 3% of all registered vehicles, in 2019, they accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities and 17% of occupant fatalities. The injury rate increased by 4.7% from 2018 to 2019.
17. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), motorcycles are less stable and less visible than cars and often have high-performance capabilities. According to government estimates, per mile traveled in 2018, the number of fatalities on motorcycles was nearly 27 times the number in cars.
18. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, less than half of motorcyclists today have gone through formal motorcycle safety training.

How a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help

If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident in New York that was no fault of your own, Finz & Finz, P.C. on Long Island is ready to help. Our skilled and compassionate New York personal injury attorneys will handle all aspects of your motorcycle accident claim. Right after the motorcycle crash, you need an attorney to help you investigate. This may involve interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence from the scene of the accident. Medical records will be needed, so make sure you have all relevant documents from doctors and hospitals.

Finz & Finz, P.C. understands what needs to happen to protect your legal rights after a motorcycle accident. We can also make sure you don’t accept a settlement offer from the insurance adjusters because it will likely be far less than what your case is worth. The insurance companies will also likely try to blame you for the accident. We’ll be able to dispute this with evidence showing that another party is to blame and should be held liable for your losses.

Contact a New York Motorcycle Accident Attorney

The New City York injury attorneys at Finz & Finz, P.C. on Long Island have decades of experience and have secured millions of dollars for motorcycle accident victims over the years. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in New York or Long Island, you may be entitled to compensation. Our law firm will help you resolve day-to-day issues such as getting the medical treatment you need, repairing your bike, and dealing with insurance companies. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, call us today at 855-TOP-FIRM.