According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,579 people were killed in motorcycle accidents in 2020.
Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely than operators of any other kind of vehicle to die of injuries suffered in an accident on the road, according to the NHTSA.
Causes of Fatal Motorcycle Accidents
Among the causes of fatal motorcycle accidents are:
- Right-of-way errors: Forty-two percent of motorcycle accidents involving a car occur when the driver is turning left.
- Speeding: Thirty-four percent of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2020 were speeding, compared to 22% of passenger-car drivers, 16% for light-truck drivers, and 7% for large-truck drivers.
- Road conditions and hazards: Road hazards as small as a pothole or road debris can be dangerous for bikers. Because motorcycles are smaller in size and have only two wheels, any irregularities or unexpected road conditions have the potential to cause a motorcycle accident.
- Alcohol: In 2020, 27% of motorcyclists killed in fatal accidents were under the influence of alcohol. Bikers in fatal accidents in 2020 had higher percentages of alcohol impairment than drivers.
Common Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents happen every day, often with catastrophic consequences, because riders and their passengers can be more vulnerable in crashes than other motorists and their passengers.
Types of motorcycle accidents include rear-enders, sideswipes, and T-bone collisions. However, when we characterize collisions like this, we are painting with a broad brush. Every collision is a little different, with different causative factors influencing the outcome.
NHTSA says that the most harmful accident in 2020 for 3,138 of the 5,715 motorcycles involved in fatal crashes was collisions with motor vehicles in transport. In two-vehicle crashes, 76% of the motorcycles involved in fatal motorcycle crashes were struck in the front. Only 7% were struck in the rear. Twenty-five percent of motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with fixed objects, compared to 18% for passenger cars, 14% for light trucks, and 5% for large trucks.
Older adults accounted for the highest number of motorcycle fatalities. NHTSA reported that the 55-and-older age group saw 27% of motorcyclists killed in accidents in 2020.
Wrongful-Death Motorcycle Accidents
A wrongful death is when the negligence or recklessness of one driver – one who is on the phone, say, or drunk -- causes the death of another.
A “personal representative of a decedent” -- defined by the Estates, Powers & Trusts Law as “a person who has received letters to administer the estate of a decedent” -- can file a wrongful-death claim against the liable party or parties.
This personal representative will have received from a court either “letters of administration” (if the decedent died without a will) or “letters testamentary” (if the decedent died with a will).
In New York, a wrongful death claim must be filed within a particular period, usually two years from the death of your loved one. This is according to the current New York statute of limitations. Every situation is unique, however, warranting close examination and careful analysis.
William Mattar, P.C., Can Help After a Fatal Motorcycle Accident
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident or lost a loved one due to a fatal motorcycle accident and are entitled to benefit in a wrongful death claim in New York, you may be looking for an experienced fatal motorcycle accident lawyer. The attorneys at William Mattar, P.C., can review your case and help determine how you can obtain maximum compensation for your injury. To contact us, call (844) 444-444 or fill out our free initial-consultation form.