Statistics Reveal Top Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in Maryland

Though there are fewer motorcycles on the road as compared to passenger vehicles, recent statistics on motorcycle accidents are still alarming. Data gathered by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) reveals that, on average, there were 1,521 crashes every year from 2013-2017. The highest number of total crashes occurred in 2014 when 66 people were killed and 1,186 were injured in motorcycle collisions. However, the deadliest year overall was 2017: Though it was the lowest year for total accidents, 85 victims lost their lives in 83 fatal crashes.

Victims and their families endure considerable suffering after a motorcycle crash, especially since the injuries can be life-threatening and debilitating. Motorcyclists who suffer injuries due to motor vehicle collisions may be entitled to compensation, and a Maryland motorcycle accident attorney may be helpful.

Statistics on Motorcycle Accidents in Maryland

MVA data on contributing factors in motorcycle crashes demonstrates that collisions are more likely to happen when certain variables are present. While some of these circumstances arguably can’t be avoided, some serious accidents can be prevented by making smart choices regarding safety.

MVA data on contributing factors in motorcycle crashes demonstrates that collisions are more likely to happen when certain variables are present. While some of these circumstances arguably can’t be avoided, some serious accidents can be prevented by making smart choices regarding safety.

• Age: It would seem that a combination of youth and inexperience operating a motorcycle has some relation to the frequency of motorcycle accidents. For example, almost 35% of all motorcycle crashes involved operators aged 24-34 years old. Injured drivers and driver fatalities are consistent with this trend, as around 134 operators were hurt, and another 27 were killed – on average – from 2013-2017.
• Gender: Males tend to be victims more often than females, at a rate of 86 out of 100. However, female passengers fall within a disturbingly high-risk category. Approximately 90% of all passenger fatalities involve female victims, and females represent 88.9 percent of injured victims during the five-year span.
• Safety Equipment: You can drastically reduce the likelihood of serious injury by wearing proper safety gear when motorcycling, especially a helmet. In approximately 1 out of 10 fatal motorcycle accidents, the driver was not wearing a helmet. The figure is almost the same for injured victims who declined this protective gear. Other safety gear that appears to have an impact on fatalities and injuries includes:
  • Protective pads;
  • Reflective clothing; and,
  • A helmet face shield
• Route Types: Where you ride a motorcycle also affects the potential for a serious or fatal crash. Interstates, as well as U.S. and Maryland state highways, seem to correlate with the highest danger, as around 54% of all collisions occur on these types of roadways. These route types also lead to the highest number of driver and passenger injuries and fatalities. Baltimore, MD, in particular, has a low incidence rate over a recently measured five-year span, and there were zero crashes on city streets from 2015-2017.

Other Top Causes of Maryland Motorcycle Crashes

In addition to the most common statistical factors behind motorcycle collisions, there are multitudes of other reasons these incidents occur. Examples of negligence by other drivers that frequently causes injury to motorcyclists, independent of any actions from a motorcyclist, can include

• Erratic Lane Changes: Due to their lower profile, motorcycles are not as visible to motorists on the road. They may fail to check the blind spot or simply overlook the presence of a motorcycle rider.
• “Dooring” On city and urban streets, people parallel park along the curb. The driver often throws the door open when getting out without looking for oncoming traffic. A motorcyclist who does not expect a car door to suddenly open can cause an accident where the rider can be tossed over the front of the motorcycle when a door opens into his or her path.
• Speeding: Not exclusive to motorcycle accidents, speeding is a factor in many crashes involving motorized vehicles. Speeding reduces the time a driver has to react, so a driver often cannot avoid a collision. The higher the speed, the most severe the impact. Note that even traveling at the posted speed limit can be dangerous if it is too fast for the conditions.
• Drunk or Drugged Driving: When drivers are impaired, their ability to recognize external conditions is limited, and their physical response is slower. These factors make them less likely to prevent accidents, but there are additional concerns about causing motorcycle crashes. Weaving, driving erratically, failing to see a rider and other issues can lead to deadly collisions.
• Rear-end Accidents: Many motorists follow too closely to motorcyclists, often more so than other passenger vehicles. When a rider stops, the following driver cannot avoid a rear-end collision.

Of course, not all accidents are caused by negligence limited to automobiles. The acts and decisions of motorcycle riders can also contribute to motorcycle crashes. For example:

• Left Turn Accidents: Riders must allow proper timing when making a left turn in front of oncoming traffic. Failure to judge the speed of another vehicle and right-of-way errors can lead to devastating left-turn accidents.
• Road Conditions: Broken pavement, potholes, debris, and weather affect a motorcycle more substantially than compared to a passenger vehicle. The lowered stability of a two-wheeled vehicle requires extra caution to avoid losing control of the motorcycle.
• Motorcycle Defects: Though less common as a cause of motorcycle accidents, defects can occur through poor design or mistakes in manufacturing. Instead of holding another motorist liable, you may have a claim based on product liability.

Lane Splitting and Motorcycle Accidents

Lane splitting is the practice of a motorcycle rider maneuvering between two lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction. Riders often split lanes when vehicles are stopped at a light or when traffic is heavy and moving slowly. Lane splitting is illegal in Maryland throughout most of the U.S., but many riders still engage in this practice and are willing to accept the risks of a ticket.

Because of the ban on lane splitting, your legal remedies to obtain compensation for your motorcycle accident injuries may be eliminated altogether if you are injured while lane splitting. Maryland follows a harsh legal rule called “contributory negligence,” which bars compensation if you are even partially to blame in a motorcycle accident. There are limited exceptions, so an experienced attorney may be able to overcome the application of this rule.

Discuss Your Motorcycle Accident Claim with a Skilled Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were injured in a motorcycle collision and want to know more about your rights, please contact our legal team. We can assess your particular situation quickly and explain potential remedies to you in a free consultation. We serve clients throughout Maryland and Virginia from our office in Baltimore, MD.