LATEST STATISTICS SHOW RISE IN FATAL MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS IN MICHIGAN

The latest motorcycle accident statistics show a rise in fatalities from the previous year, continuing the deadly trend that began three decades ago. According to data from Michigan State Police, 166 people died in motorcycle accidents during 2021, including two pedestrians and one automobile driver. This is a nine percent increase from 2020, when 152 people were killed in motorcycle crashes.

Because motorcycles lack the impact protection and visibility provided by cars and trucks, bikers are 29 times more likely to be killed in an accident and even more likely to be seriously injured. What’s more, recovering compensation for medical care and related costs can be challenging due to recent changes in the complex Michigan No-Fault laws pertaining to motorcycles. Therefore, if you or a loved one is injured, contacting an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer is the best way to protect your rights and receive the benefits you deserve.

Recommended reading: WHAT EVERY BIKER SHOULD KNOW: A BASIC GUIDE TO MICHIGAN MOTORCYCLE LAWS

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE LATEST MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT STATISTICS?

The year-end reports from the Michigan Traffic Crash Facts website provide a wealth of statistics on multiple factors relating to traffic accidents during 2021. Data includes the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities, with sub-categories for accidents involving various types of vehicles and situations. The statistics include details about those who were killed or injured, including age, gender, severity of injury and whether the victims were drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bicycles or pedestrians. Accidents are also categorized by county, type of roadway (highway or local road), time of day and contributing factors such as excessive speed, drugs and alcohol or distracted driving.

Traffic safety experts analyze the data to find patterns and areas of concern, which is used to create protocols aimed at making Michigan roads safer. For example, the information might lead to increasing highway patrol during specific times or developing public service messages to encourage seat belt use and discourage reckless behaviors such as drunk driving and speeding.  

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SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT MICHIGAN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

• There were 3,175 motorcycle-related accidents in 2021, resulting in 166 deaths and 2,526 serious injuries
• Of the 166 fatalities, 153 (92.2 percent) motorcyclists were male and 13 (7.8 percent) were female
• July had the most motorcycle-related crashes (561) of any month, followed by August (515), June (474) and May (470)
• The highest number of motorcycle accidents happened on Saturdays (661) and Sundays (571), followed by Fridays (439)
• Most motorcycle crashes occurred in the time periods from 3 p.m. – 5:59 p.m. (751) and 6 p.m. – 8:59 p.m. (745), followed by noon – 2:59 p.m. (568)
• Of the 166 motorcyclists who were killed, 52 (31.3%) died in alcohol-related accidents and 39 (75.0%) of those motorcyclists had drivers coded as drinking

Motorcycle fatalities according to age and gender:

• Ages 25-34:  
  • 47   (45 male, 2 female)
• Ages 35-44:  
  • 34   (31 male, 3 female)
• Ages 45-54:  
  • 29   (26 male, 3 female)
• Ages 55-64:  
  • 22   (20 male, 2 female)
• Ages 21-24:  
  • 12   (11 male, 1 female)
• Ages 65-74:  
  • 11   (10 male, 1 female)
• Ages 16-20:   
  • 7 (6 male, 1 female)
• Ages 75-84:    
  • 4 (4 male)

There were no reported motorcycle accident fatalities among individuals younger than 15 and older than 84.

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DO MOTORCYCLE HELMETS REDUCE FATALITIES?

Yes. Numerous studies over the years have shown that helmets protect riders from serious or fatal head injuries. Yet many bikers do not wear them, especially since the 2012 repeal of Michigan’s mandatory helmet law. In the ten years prior to the elimination of the helmet requirement, an average of 110 motorcyclists per year were killed in traffic accidents. However, during the last ten years, the average number of motorcycle accident fatalities rose to 135 a year, an increase of 22.73 percent.

Last year, 75 (45.2 percent) of the motorcyclists who died were wearing helmets at the time of the crash, while 72 (43.4 percent) were not. Helmet use could not be determined for the remaining 19 (11.4 percent).

Recommended reading: WHAT EVERY BIKER NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT MICHIGAN MOTORCYCLE HELMET LAWS

ARE MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS BECOMING MORE DANGEROUS?

Unfortunately, this seems to be the case. Traffic accidents in general, including those involving motorcycles, have resulted in a rising number of fatalities over the past several years, including the reduction in traffic resulting from pandemic restrictions in 2020. Today, the number of people killed continues to be disproportionate to the number of crashes.

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OUR EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS FIGHT TO WIN THE COMPENSATION YOU DESERVE

If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, we can help. Our highly qualified legal team has the knowledge and resources to build a winning case with a successful outcome.   

“Many of our staff members ride,” said Mark Bernstein of The Sam Bernstein Law Firm. “So, not only are we experts in Michigan motorcycle law, we understand the benefits of motorcycling, especially in a scenic state like Michigan.”

Michigan motorcycle law is complicated, but finding the right motorcycle accident lawyer is simple.

Get the Bernstein Biker Advantage®.

Start your case today by clicking the link below or calling 1-800-CALL-SAM for a free, no-obligation consultation.