According to data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,172 motorcyclists were killed and 89,000 injured in accidents in 2017. Although motorcycles made up only three percent of all the registered vehicles in the U.S. that year, the fatality rate for motorcyclists was six times higher than for passenger car occupants. Motorcyclist fatalities were found to occur almost 27 times more often than passenger car occupant deaths resulting from collisions. In Maryland, 82 riders were killed in accidents in 2017.

Why Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen?

Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) data indicates that motorcycle collisions are more likely to happen under certain circumstances:

• Youth and Inexperience. Nearly 35 percent of all motorcycle accidents involved operators between the ages of 24 and 34.
• Gender. Male motorcyclists tend to get injured more often than female riders, but 90 percent of all passenger fatalities were females, who represented 88.9 percent of all injury victims during a five-year period.
• Safety Gear. The likelihood of serious injury for motorcyclists can be dramatically reduced by wearing the proper safety gear, such as a DOT-approved helmet with a face shield, protective pads, and reflective clothing.
• Route. Interstates running through Maryland, along with state highways, present the greatest danger of motorcycle crashes – 54 percent of all collisions happen on these types of roads.

Motorcycle accidents also occur due to the negligent actions of passenger car drivers, which include:

• Unpredictable lane changes. Motorcycles have a lower profile and may not always be visible to motorists, who fail to check for their presence before changing lanes.
• Dooring. People in cities like Baltimore frequently parallel park along the curb on city and urban streets, and when getting out they sometimes open the door into the path of oncoming traffic, particularly unsuspecting motorcyclists.
• Speeding. Speeding is a factor in many types of vehicle crashes – the higher the speed, the greater the impact, and the more severe the injuries.
• Impaired driving. Weaving, driving erratically, and following too closely are all behaviors that can lead to deadly automobile/motorcycle collisions.

Riders More Likely to Suffer Serious Injuries Than Drivers

Motorcyclists are much more likely than automobile drivers to sustain fatal injuries in an accident, due to the lack of external protection that a motorcycle provides. These injuries ae likely to be more severe, require more immediate medical treatment, and often necessitate long term care. For this reason, riders should always wear protective clothing and safety equipment to help protect their bodies from road rash and other injuries.

Call a Skilled Maryland Motorcycle Accident Law Firm Today

Did you sustain severe injuries in a motorcycle accident in Maryland? You need knowledgeable legal representation to help you obtain the compensation required to get your life back on track. Call Collins Legal Group, LLC, in Baltimore at 410-462-4529 to discuss your case and potential for recovery.