The Two Leading Causes of Fatal Motorcycle Crashes

Speeding is a significant contributing factor in thousands of motorcycle accidents across the country every year. Studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that speeding plays a role in a staggering 32% of all fatal motorcycle crashes. For comparison, speeding contributes to only 18% of fatal passenger vehicle accidents, 14% of fatal small truck accidents, and 7% of fatal large truck accidents.

Clearly speeding has an outsized impact when it comes to motorcycle safety. Even experienced, safety-conscious riders face immense dangers from speeding motorists. With only two wheels for stability and limited protection, motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable to hazards created by excessive speed. At high velocities, both motorists and motorcyclists alike have less time to react, less control over their vehicles, and a narrower margin of error to avoid collisions.

Speeding’s Impact on Motorcycle Fatalities

Riding a motorcycle is inherently more dangerous than driving larger vehicles. Motorcyclists lack safety features like airbags, crumple zones, and steel frames to protect them in crashes. They must contend with poor road conditions, distracted drivers, and unpredictable weather with little buffer between themselves and disaster. Speeding compounds all of these issues.

Heightened Dangers for Motorcyclists

At excessive speeds, even minor errors or split-second reactions can be catastrophic. Changing lanes, merging into traffic, or maneuvering around obstacles leaves almost no room for mistakes. Similarly, speeding motorists have reduced reaction times and control, making them more likely to collide with motorcycles during routine driving maneuvers. These elevated dangers underscore why speeding plays such an outsized role in motorcyclist fatalities.

Contributing Factors to Motorcycle Crashes

Along with drunk and distracted driving, speeding and other reckless behaviors remain persistent issues on our roadways. According to the NHTSA, over 9,500 lives were lost in speeding-related crashes in 2017 alone. This accounts for more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities nationwide. Speeding is especially common among young male drivers, who cause nearly half of severe speed-related crashes despite making up a small portion of licensed drivers.

Excess speed coupled with the vulnerability of motorcycles is why so many motorcyclists lose their lives to speeding motorists each year. Curbing dangerous driving behaviors is crucial to reducing motorcycle fatalities and keeping all road users safe.

When to Contact a Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured by a speeding or reckless driver, contact an experienced motor vehicle attorney right away. An attorney can help assess your situation, explain your legal options, and fight to recover compensation for your injuries, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. With their guidance, you can take legal action to hold dangerous drivers fully accountable. Don’t wait to get the justice you deserve. Get in contact with the team at Custodio & Dubey today to see what your options are.

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Call now for a free and confidential consultation at (213) 593-9095.