California Motorcycle Crash Injury Statistics

Over the past ten years, the number of fatal motorcycle accidents has increased while fatal crashes involving all motor vehicles have been steadily declining both nationally and in California. 2008 saw an all-time low for fatal car and light truck accidents in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

At the same time, motorcycle accident-related fatalities reached a record high, more than tripling between 1999 and 2008. The CDC describes motorcycle accidents as "an significant public health concern" because more individuals than ever are riding motorbikes. Their estimated $12 billion yearly economic cost includes medical expenses and lost productivity. The California Division of Traffic Safety claims that

Because they are lighter and smaller than anything else on the road, lack seat belts, and can have riders pushed off of them, motorbikes are the most susceptible forms of motorized vehicles on the road. Motorcycles can get lost in large trucks' "blind areas," making them more difficult for the drivers of those vehicles to see.

In addition, cycles accelerate and brake more quickly than larger vehicles, giving slower-moving cars less time to stop. Motorcycle riders need to take extra precautions to operate and maintain their vehicles safely. Here are some local and nationwide crash tendencies.

National Motorcycle Accident Statistics

In 2015:

In motor vehicle traffic accidents, there were 4,976 motorcyclists died, an increase of 8% over the 4,594 motorcyclists killed in 2014.

According to estimates, 88,000 motorcycle riders were hurt in 2015, which is a 3% drop from the 92,000 riders hurt in 2014.

 Motorcycle accident

93% of all bikes involved in fatal collisions were two-wheelers.

14 percent of traffic fatalities, 4 percent of injuries, 17 percent of occupant (driver and passenger) fatalities, and 4 percent of occupant injuries involved motorcyclists.

94 percent (4,684) of the 4,976 motorcyclists killed in road accidents were the riders, and 6% (292) were the passengers.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics In California

Studies show that California has more motorcycles than any other state in the US, with an estimated 800,000. On a yearly basis, motorcycle accidents on public roads result in about 12,000 injuries and 500 fatalities.

Riders under the age of 25 in California are most affected by motorcycle accidents, while those over the age of 55 are least affected. August, July, and November were the three months that recorded the most deadly motorcycle accidents. Additionally, figures show that the state experienced more than 1,000 motorcycle accident injuries each month from May through September.

Despite the fact that one in four (24%) of fatal motorcycle accidents in California had a rider with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit, that figure is lower than the country as a whole, which is 28%. Authorities claim that the state's helmet requirement is to blame for the fact that almost 90% of motorcyclists who died in collisions were wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Only 57% of bicyclists killed in collisions nationwide were wearing helmets at the time of death.

 

In California, one out of every five motorcycle accident fatalities involved a rider who did not have a valid driver's license.

Tips On How Motorcycle Riders Can Avoid Becoming A Statistic

By avoiding riding in the same lane as another vehicle or between lanes, motorcycle riders can lessen their risk of collisions.

Maintain the bicycle in a secure state of operation and perform a safety check before each ride.

Put on helmets and other safety equipment.

 

Never get behind the wheel after drinking.

Visit IDOT's program for cycle rider safety training.