Now that the weather is warming up in Ohio, motorcycles are coming back out of garages and onto the roads. Unfortunately, that also means that we are bound to see more motorcycle accidents, as well.
Motorcycle Crash Injuries in Ohio
Last night I witnessed a motorcycle accident. It happened just after midnight near the I-75/Miamisburg- Centerville Road exit.
The incident involved all of the most common elements of a motorcycle crash:
- The victim was a 23-year-old man
- The crash happened at night
- The victim suffered a serious leg injury
Motorcycle Accidents By Age
While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) only covered fatal motorcycle accidents in their study, they did find that motorcycle riders are very likely to be under the age of 30.
That trend, though, is changing.
Back in 2007, the NHTSA found that 30.5% of motorcycle fatalities involved someone under the age of 30, more than any other age group. In 2016, though, riders over the age of 50 had become more likely to die in a motorcycle crash – they accounted for 36.7% of the fatalities, while riders under 30 accounted for 28.1%.
38% of Motorcycle Accidents Happen at Night
Despite most motorcycle rides happened during the day, an outsized number of motorcycle crashes happen in the evening and overnight hours. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), 38% of the motorcycle accidents that killed or hurt someone in 2015 happened between 6pm and 6am.
Motorcycle Crashes and Leg Injuries
Out of all of the injuries that motorcyclists are likely to suffer in a bike crash, a leg injury is by far the most common. This probably comes as no surprise for riders – they understand the lack of protection on their lower extremities and the likelihood of a direct impact. What probably does surprise riders is the cost of those leg injuries. The NHTSA found that the median hospital bill for motorcyclists who had a single lower extremity injury was a staggering $20,745.
Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Crashes are Actually in the Minority
There is a misconception that most motorcycle accidents only involve the biker. The insinuation is that motorcyclists are daredevils who often hurt themselves in a crash that they caused, themselves.
The facts, however, point in the opposite direction: Only 34% of motorcycle crashes involve just the biker. While that is far above the percentage of car accidents that only involve one vehicle – that number is 19% – it still means most motorcycle accidents involve a car, as well.
Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers at Wright & Schulte
With springtime come motorcycles. Drivers need to be vigilant and remember that not all vehicles on the road are the same, especially because motorcycle accidents are frequently far more severe and devastating than car accidents.
The personal injury and car accident lawyers at Wright & Schulte strive to represent those hurt in motorcycle and car crashes throughout Ohio and surrounding areas. Contact us online or call/text our office at (937) 222-7477.