Motorcycle Crash Statistics at a Glance

The last major study on motorcycle fatalities conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which was done in 2004, showed a significant increase in U.S. motorcycle fatalities as compared to previous years.

According to the study, which showed a 48% rise in motorcycle ownership between 1995 and 2004, there were 5.78 million registered motorcycles in the U.S. in 2004. That year, of the 5.78 million motorcycles, there were nearly 70 fatal accidents per 100,000 registered motorcycles. This amounted to 40 fatalities per 100 million motorcycle miles traveled. This was nearly double the amount of motorcycle fatalities that the U.S. saw in 1995.

Some have argued that the increase in fatalities is a direct result in the increase in motorcycle ownership. While this may be the case, there also have not been any significant improvements to overall motorcycle safety. Despite technological improvements in motorcycle safety, as well as various motorcycle studies, riding a motorcycle has become more dangerous, not less-so. Meanwhile, the state of Illinois has still not elected for mandatory helmet laws.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an Illinois motorcycle accident, you may be eligible to claim damages in an Illinois personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death claim. An Illinois motorcycle accident attorney can talk to you about liability and issues of negligence as they relate to your accident claim. 

To learn more about the NHTSA's study on "Recent Trends In Fatal Motorcycle Crashes," read Motorcycle Accident Statistics in our article library. 

Contacting an Illinois Motorcycle Accident Attorney

A motorcycle is usually no match for a larger vehicle. Therefore, most Illinois motorcycle accidents will result in the rider sustaining serious and sometimes fatal injuries.  At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, an Illinois motorcycle accident attorney will examine all aspects of your accident, determine liability, and aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation due to you for any injuries or loss you may have suffered as a result of your motorcycle accident. Contact us today for a free case evaluation - 312-263-1080.