Posted in Motorcycle Accidents on December 13, 2023
California has more registered motorcycles than any state in the US, with more than 850,000 active motorcycle registrations, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. Unfortunately, during the most recent reporting year, more than 11,400 motorcyclists sustained injuries in motor vehicle accidents.
Here, we want to examine state data and national data to look at your odds of getting into a motorcycle accident when you head out on the roadways.
California and Motorcycle Accidents
Did you know that there are more registered motorcycles in the state of California than in any other state across the country? Information available from the state Office of Traffic Safety shows that there are more than 850,000 registered motorcycles in this state and that there were more than 11,400 motorcyclists injured in accidents in 2021, the most recent reporting year on file.
Over the previous five years of reporting data from the state, we can see that annual motorcycle list fatalities range from 491 to 578 deaths a year.
National Motorcycle Accident Data
Information available from the National Safety Council indicates that motorcycles make up 3% of registered vehicles across the country yet accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities in 2021.
Data from the Insurance Information Institute indicates that, in 2021, there were nearly 9,900,000 total registered motorcycles across the US. During that year, there were 5,932 motorcyclist fatalities recorded.
Motorcyclists Are More Vulnerable Roadway Users
Regardless of how much safety equipment a motorcyclist uses, the reality is that operating these vehicles places riders and passengers at more risks than they would otherwise face if they were inside traditional passenger vehicles. Motorcyclists are exposed, and any type of collision could lead to a serious injury, even for motorcyclists who wear a helmet.
It is not uncommon for motorcycle accidents to lead to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, major soft tissue damage, and catastrophic internal injuries. Even though motorcyclists do not make up a significant percentage of all miles traveled on US roadways, the data is very clear about the dangers associated with operating motorcycles.
If you or your loved one owns or regularly operates a motorcycle, we encourage you to take a motorcycle safety course and regularly refresh yourself on the laws and regulations related to these vehicles.
We do want to provide a reminder that all motorcyclists in California are required to wear a US DOT-compliant motorcycle helmet when operating these vehicles, either as a driver or a passenger. Helmets that comply with federal regulations include those with a sticker that indicates the helmet meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218.
Calling a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligent actions of another individual or entity in or around the Long Beach area, contact a lawyer today. When you have a motorcycle accident lawyer by your side, you will have an advocate ready to step in and handle all aspects of the injury claim on your behalf.