Motorcycle crashes can happen anywhere, even in your driveway. But some locations are more common than others. In this article, an Augusta motorcycle accident lawyer reviews data from two major studies on motorcycle accidents. They show that most accidents happen where you would expect them to: in cities and at intersections. We encourage you to reach out to Lawbike Motorcycle Injury Lawyers if you were hurt in a wreck and need legal assistance.
Most Accidents Happen in Urban Environments
A 2018 study from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) took a deep dive into motorcycle accidents. The study was limited in scope, but it still represents the best data we have of where motorcycle accidents take place. Unsurprisingly, most occurred in urban environments:
- 65% of accidents happened in urban areas
- 6% in rural areas
- 29% in suburban areas
These numbers are not surprising. For one thing, there is much more traffic in urban areas. When roads are congested, a motorcyclist is more likely to collide with a driver or strike something else, like a light pole. They are more likely to be forced to take defensive action to avoid a crash.
Meanwhile, in rural areas, the greatest risk would be road hazards or losing control. The good news is that most people can ride safely in a rural area.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also issued a detailed report in 2020 about fatal motorcycle accidents. NHTSA found that 61% of fatal accidents happened in urban areas, and the remaining 39% happened in rural areas. Those numbers are very similar to the number for all accidents.
Most Accidents Happen at intersections
The NTSB study found that 72% of all motorcycle accidents happened at intersections. We aren’t surprised by that number, either. Intersections act as temporary bottlenecks, bringing a lot of vehicles together. There is a risk that other motorists won’t drive safely around motorcycles, causing collisions.
We see common intersection accidents. Motorcyclists are injured when drivers make left-hand turns across traffic, often because they can’t see a bike coming toward them through the intersection. Another common collision is a rear-end collision: a motorcyclist is stopped at a light when a driver coming up from behind crashes into them. Often, the cause of this type of rear-end collision is fatigue or distraction.
According to the NTSB, only 11% of all accidents were fatal, so most people will survive a crash. Nonetheless, they can suffer horrifying injuries, which might require considerable medical care.
But Fatal Accidents Are Different…
NHTSA found that for fatal accidents, only 35% happened at an intersection, with the remaining 65% happening at a different location:
- 8% on the interstate
- 28% on a non-interstate principal arterial
- 24% on a non-interstate minor arterial
Why are the numbers different? Probably because intersection accidents happen at slower speeds compared to high-speed collisions on highways or major roads. The faster a motorcycle or other vehicle is traveling, the more forces are generated. Also, a motorcyclist is at risk of getting run over if they are thrown from their bike on a highway.
Nonetheless, most motorcyclists who are injured are hurt in intersection accidents. The good news is that the injuries are not fatal.
Intersection accidents are dangerous. There is no way around that. We encourage riders to be vigilant as they approach or stop at an intersection. Be prepared to take defensive measures, including pulling out of the way if a dangerous driver comes up behind you out of control.
Georgia Sees Hundreds of Motorcycle Accidents Each Year
Compared to other states, Georgia has a high rate of accidents. The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety reports that in 2022, the Peachtree State had 221 fatal motorcycle accidents. This represented 11% of all fatal accidents in the state. Georgia also sees hundreds of non-fatal accidents each year, which cost the state millions of dollars.
Call Us after a Motorcycle Accident
If you were injured in any type of wreck, you should hire an attorney so that you can bring a strong personal injury claim. Careless drivers end up causing thousands of wrecks each year. Thankfully, you can make an insurance claim on the driver’s liability coverage if you can prove the driver was at fault for the collision.
Contact Lawbike Motorcycle Injury Lawyers today. An August motorcycle accident lawyer can listen to your story and review medical records. We want to know how the accident has impacted your life, including the emotional side of your injuries. If you call today, we can schedule a free individual consultation with an attorney.