Motorcycle and Car Accident Deaths Compared

With millions of vehicles on US roads each day, crashes are common. In 2022, police reported over 5.9 million auto accidents that resulted in deaths, injuries, or property damage.

Motorcycle accidents and deaths also made headlines in recent years. Although only 3 percent of all registered vehicles are motorcycles and only 0.7 vehicle miles traveled are done by motorcycles, motorcyclists account for 14.6 percent of all traffic deaths and 3 percent of injuries.

The risks to motorcyclists on the road are outsized in comparison to risks for car drivers and passengers. Here’s how motorcycle and car accident deaths compare.

Common Causes of Motorcycle and Car Accidents in Arkansas

Data from the National Safety Council reveals that in 2021, most motorcycle deaths occurred:

• In urban areas. In 2021, two-thirds (66 percent) of motorcycle deaths occurred in urban areas, while one-third occurred in rural areas.
• In clear or cloudy weather. Many (84 percent) motorcycle deaths in 2021 occurred in clear or cloudy weather. Two percent occurred in rainy weather, and just 0.5 percent occurred in foggy conditions.
• In two-vehicle crashes. Of the motorcyclists who died on US roads in 2021, 55 percent were involved in a two-vehicle crash, and 7.3 percent were involved in a crash with three or more vehicles.
• While practicing safety. Over 71 percent of motorcyclists who died in crashes in 2021 were not impaired by alcohol at the time of the crash. A majority (60 percent) were wearing their helmets as well.

In 2021, motorcycle crashes were equally divided between daylight and nighttime hours.

Car accident patterns differ slightly from those for motorcycle accidents. Most car accidents result from preventable errors on the part of a driver, passenger, or someone outside the vehicle (for instance, a pedestrian or a team responsible for loading cargo). Common crash causes in 2022 included:

• Intoxication. In 2022, 13,524 car accident deaths were linked to drunk driving. An intoxicated driver was involved in 32 percent of all traffic crashes that year.
• Speeding. Speeding was linked to 12,151 car accident deaths in 2022 – an average of 33 people per day. Speeding included both exceeding posted speed limits and traveling too fast for conditions.
• Distraction. Distracted drivers caused 3,308 deaths and 289,310 injuries on US roadways in 2022.
• Sleepiness. Drowsy driving is linked to approximately 6,400 roadway deaths each year.
• Not practicing safety. In addition to intoxication, speeding, distraction, and sleepiness, failing to wear seat belts was linked to approximately 12,000 deaths in 2022, when those who died were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

Types of Injuries in Arkansas Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accident injuries often differ from car accident injuries. In a motorcycle crash, the bike’s driver or passenger takes the full force of the collision. Anyone on the bike may be thrown from it, risking a collision with other objects or oncoming traffic. Sliding along the ground can cause road burn and other severe injuries.

Common motorcycle accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries and other injuries to the head
• Spinal cord injuries
• Soft tissue injuries, including damage to the neck, back, and spine
• Severe bone fractures
• Blunt-force trauma injuries causing internal organ damage, internal bleeding, and other trauma
• Crush injuries, especially if a body part is pinned during an accident
• Amputations, either from the force of the accident or performed afterward by surgeons
• Road rash
• Burns, such as heat, chemical, or electrical burns from exposure to bike or car parts or fluids during the crash
• “Biker’s arm,” a condition in which nerves suffer permanent damage
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement

Many of these injuries require intensive medical care to treat. Most leave lifelong scars, pain, and other impairments. Additional medical care may be required throughout the injured biker’s life to address ongoing issues.

For the most severe injuries, an injured motorcyclist may need ongoing daily care. Skilled nurses and other professionals may be needed regularly to help with basic tasks like hygiene, food, and dressing. Motorcyclists whose injuries allow them to return to a routine may still require revision surgeries for broken bones, treatment for pain or mobility issues, and other medical care in the future. A full, fair compensation award addresses both current and future medical needs.

Building a Claim for Compensation

Car accidents and motorcycle accidents have some similarities. A personal injury or wrongful death claim may be based on either type of accident. Discussions of fault, causation, and costs will likely occur in both cases.

These cases differ, however, in the details. Here are several common distinctions between motorcycle and car accident claims.

Who is at Fault?

While common causes of car accidents typically lie with drivers, common causes of motorcycle accidents don’t typically include the biker’s behavior. Rather, motorcycle-car collisions often result from a car driver’s distraction, intoxication, or failure to follow the rules of the road.

Determining who is at fault can be challenging after a crash. Yet it is essential, as a motorcyclist’s compensation can be reduced or denied if they are wrongly found to be at fault.

Fighting for Compensation After An Arkansas Motorcycle Accident

Many insurance companies treat motorcycle claims differently from auto claims. Insurance adjusters’ personal biases may lead them to categorize all motorcyclists as reckless daredevils who take their lives into their own hands. This bias can result in adjusters scrutinizing motorcycle claims more closely, trying to find any excuse to blame the motorcyclist for the crash.

Motorcyclists are also more likely to face severe injuries with lifelong repercussions. To reduce the cost to the insurer, insurance companies may offer a lump sum settlement early in the process. Facing heavy medical costs and an inability to work, a motorcyclist or family may accept this settlement – not realizing that it covers only a fraction of the actual costs of the crash.

Navigating a motorcycle claim can be tough, especially when you’re dealing with severe injuries. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help.

Injury Type and Severity After an Arkansas Motorcycle Crash

In a collision between a motorcycle and a car, the motorcyclist is likely to suffer more serious injuries than those in the vehicle. The motorcyclist also faces a higher risk of death.

To reduce car accident deaths, legislators and automakers have worked to make cars safer. Today’s vehicles include a host of safety features: seat belts, airbag systems, anti-lock brakes, stability control, tire pressure monitors, backup cameras, and collision warning systems. The vehicle itself offers a frame and panels that protect occupants.

By contrast, motorcycles come with few or none of these features – not even a frame to protect the driver or passenger. Motorcyclists can wear helmets and protective riding suits, and many do. But this equipment doesn’t match the protection offered by vehicle safety systems. Motorcyclists’ exposure to risk often results in more severe injuries.

Property Damage Costs in Arkansas Motorcycle Accidents

In a motorcycle crash, a bike’s driver or passenger may suffer more severe injuries than those in a car. The motorcycle is also more likely to suffer severe damage or to be totaled. Because motorcycles are smaller and lighter than cars, they take more damage when a collision occurs.

Addressing the property damage costs to the bike is essential for two reasons. First, you need your motorcycle if you use it for transportation to work, school, or other destinations. Second, you may need to replace the motorcycle, which can cost far more than fixing a few dents or scratches on a vehicle. Including these costs in a motorcycle claim is essential.

Talk to an Experienced Arkansas Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, talk to the team at the Law Office of Jason Hatfield today. We’ll help you understand your legal options and build a claim for compensation.