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Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Statistics

May 26, 2015 General

Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Statistics

When you take a motorcycle out on the roadways in Pennsylvania, there’s little between you, the road and other drivers. According to data collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, bikers are approximately 35 times more likely to die in a traffic accident than are persons driving a truck or car. Here are some key statistics from the last few years.

In 2012, 3,985 people were hurt in motorcycle accidents across Pennsylvania, up almost 9% from 2011 (3,641), but still less than in 2010 (4,018). The number of fatal motorcycle accidents also increased in 2012, from 200 to 210. 2010 remains the most deadly year for motorcycle-related traffic deaths in Pennsylvania, though, with 223 people killed that year in bike-related accidents.

The statistics also consistently show that, in approximately half of the motorcycle accident fatalities, the deceased was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Data collected nationally suggests that bikers who don’t wear a helmet have a 40% greater risk of sustaining a fatal head injury than those who do wear a helmet.

The data from 2012 indicates that, more often than not, motorcycle accidents result when bikers strike another vehicle. More than three-quarters (77%) of two-vehicle accidents involving motorcycles were caused when the motorcycle struck another vehicle. Almost one half of all motorcycle accidents resulted when a biker struck a passenger car. Motorcyclists, however, were seldom involved in single crashes, accounting for only 2% of all such accidents.

Contact Our Office

At Barnard, Mezzanotte, Pinnie & Seelaus, LLP, we have provided thorough and effective legal counsel to personal injury victims throughout Delaware County in Pennsylvania since 1980. We offer a free initial consultation. To schedule an appointment, call us at 610-565-4055 or 302-594-4535 or contact us online.

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