Any motor vehicle accident can turn fatal. Even vehicles with the absolute best crash test ratings have been involved in deadly crashes. This is a risk that people take on with even the simplest drive to the store or their morning commute.
That being said, it is fairly stunning to find out how much more likely you are to pass away in a motorcycle wreck compared to other kinds of motor vehicle accidents. Though motorcyclists are involved in far fewer deadly crashes every year than those in other vehicles, the main reason for this is that motorcyclists cover far fewer miles each year and therefore have less exposure to this risk. When you break things down and compare the amount of travel and the number of fatalities among motorcyclists, that’s when the risk becomes clear.
It’s far more than just double the risk
Imagine that you had double the risk of being involved in a deadly accident. Would you feel comfortable taking that on? Many people would say no, that they think driving is already too dangerous and they definitely wouldn’t double that risk.
But the truth is that it’s far higher than that. When running the numbers out based on fatalities per mile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) claims that “motorcyclists are about 32 times more likely than passenger car occupants” to pass away after being involved in a traffic accident.
What if someone else causes the accident?
This by no means indicates that the majority of accidents are the motorcyclists’ fault, of course. If you’ve lost a loved one or suffered serious injuries in a motor vehicle accident of any kind, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses. An experienced advocate can help you learn more.