Overview
Motorcyclists can hold negligent parties financially responsible for injuries and pain caused by an accident
Understanding Motorcycle Accident Trends in New Jersey
Motorcycles offer riders freedom on the open road but provide little protection in the case of an accident. Motorcycles are less crash-worthy than closed vehicles due to the exposure to the road and other cars experienced by riders. Motorcycles are also less visible to drivers and pedestrians and less stable than vehicles with a larger wheelbase. Motorcyclists can hold negligent parties financially responsible for injuries and pain caused by an accident.
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Data Collection
The data used for this report was taken from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), the New Jersey State Police (NJSP), Statistica, Federal Highway Administration, Insurance Information Institute (III), and the National Safety Council (NSC).
Motorcycle Accidents in the U.S.
Motorcycle accident fatalities continue to increase across the U.S. In the decade between 2012 and 2021, motorcyclist deaths increased by 19 percent, and the fatality rate per 100 miles traveled grew from 23.32 to 30.05. While more fatalities can be partially explained by a corresponding increase in the number of motorcycles on the road, the increase in fatality rate is more troubling as it indicates more riders a dying as a percentage of total ridership.
Motorcycle account for 3 percent of all registered vehicles and 0.6 percent of all vehicle miles traveled in the U.S. However, motorcycle accidents cause 14 percent of all traffic fatalities and 17 percent of all occupant fatalities. Fatalities increased 8 percent from 2020 to 2021. The number of older rider deaths in the 55 years old and above group increased from 3 percent in 1975 to 27 percent in 2020.
Nationwide in 2021, there were 5,932 motorcyclists and passengers killed according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the highest number of fatalities since FARS started in 1975.
Motorcycle accident injuries have been trending in the opposite direction. In 2012, U.S. riders experienced 93,251 injuries with a total of 8,454,939 registered motorcycles on the road. In 2021, the number of motorcycles increased to 9,881,414 and total injuries fell to 82,686, a 12.7 percent decrease.
Similarly, the number of nonfatal motorcycle accident injuries increased by 5 percent nationwide, while the injury rate declined by 4 percent, indicating that fewer riders overall are experiencing injury as a percentage of total motorcyclists.
New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Statistics
New Jersey ranks in the middle of the country as the 22nd most dangerous state for motorcyclists in the United States. New Jersey reflects the rest of the country in experiencing an increase in the number of motorcycle fatalities. Between 2020 and 2021, motorcycle rider deaths increased by 22 percent, with 95 deaths in 2021. The majority, 85 percent, of these riders were wearing a helmet.
New Jersey has not released motorcycle-specific injury stats for 2021, however, there were 48,926 injury crashes among all vehicle types in the state that year. More than half of the collisions involving motorcycles happen in intersections, and over two-thirds are the result of the motor-vehicle driver not seeing the motorcyclist.
Forty percent of single-vehicle motorcycle deaths happen while cornering and making turns. Most crashes happen on trips of less than five miles. Motorcycle accidents are 28 times more likely to result in fatalities than other motor vehicle accidents, and riders are four times more likely to get injured.
Ejections are common in New Jersey motorcycle accidents, typically resulting in death or catastrophic injuries needing extensive medical care. Riders not wearing a DOT-approved helmet are three times more likely to die from head injuries.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Driving a motorcycle requires different mental and physical skills than driving other passenger vehicles. Motorcyclists are more exposed and vulnerable to the weather and road conditions and are less likely to be seen by other drivers. Riders must be aware of and able to react to these realities.
Inexperienced riders tend to cause or be involved in more wrecks, and many riders tend to not have proper licensing or training. Nationally thirty-six percent of motorcycle riders killed in crashes in 2020 did not have valid motorcycle licenses.
Speeding
Speed is a top contributing factor to both car and motorcycle accidents. In New Jersey, speed is responsible for approximately 25 percent of fatal crashes. When other drivers are traveling at excessive speed, they are even less likely to notice motorcycle riders.
Driver Inattention
In motorcycle accidents involving multiple vehicles, a full two-thirds happen because the other driver does not see the motorcycle. Motorcycles are particularly susceptible to driver errors like improper lane changes, failure to yield and other drivers not paying attention when making a left turn.
Alcohol
Nationwide, alcohol is a factor in approximately one-third of motorcyclist fatalities. Alcohol increases the chance that other drivers will not notice motorcycles.
Hazardous Road Conditions
State, local and federal agencies are responsible for maintaining safe road conditions, including appropriate markings, signage and lighting, as well as keeping streets and shoulders free of debris and serious damage. Poorly maintained roads can be treacherous for motorcycle riders.
In 2011, riders aged 55-and-older were 23 percent of motorcyclist fatalities. By 2020 that number had increased to 27 percent. Over the last decade, biker deaths among this age group increased by 37 percent, from 1,087 to 1,486. The average age of motorcycle riders killed in traffic crashes in 2011 was 42. The average age of bikers killed in traffic crashes in 2020 was 43.
Not All Motorcycles are Created Equal
While there are a great variety of motorcycles on the market, personal choice is typically how a bike is chosen. The most dangerous ones on the road today that are involved in a lot of wrecks include:
Cruisers
Cruisers dominate the motorcycle market. Close to 50 percent of motorcycles on the road are cruisers. By volume alone, cruisers dominate crash statistics. Culturally, cruiser riders are noted to wear less protective gear, which can increase the likelihood of injury.
Street Bikes
Street bikes, also known as sport bikes, are small, fast and potentially dangerous. Some street bikes now reach over 200hp unmodified from the factory. These bikes are built to race, and some riders want to test their speed or use them to do tricks on public streets.
Super-Sport Bikes
Super-sport riders are more likely to be involved in serious crashes. Super-sport bikes are basically road-legal versions of racing bikes and are sometimes treated as such in dangerous conditions like crowded roads. Super-sport bikes have highest crash rate in the U.S. — four times higher than any other type of bike.
Common Motorcycle Injuries
Common injuries suffered by motorcyclists and the frequency of occurrence include the following:
- Spine injuries happen in 20 percent of collisions.
- Abdominal injuries are sustained in 15 percent of collisions.
- Face injuries happen in 10 percent of collisions
- Lower extremity injuries are present in 47 percent of collisions.
- Chest injuries occur in 31 percent of collisions.
- Head injuries are common in 35 percent of collisions.
- Upper extremity injuries are often sustained in 40 percent of collisions.
For the safety of yourself and others, you should understand New Jersey motorcycle laws before you hit the road. Some of the most important information you need to know about riding in the state includes:
Filing a Claim for a Motorcycle Accident
To file a motorcycle accident claim, the plaintiff must show another party was negligent in causing the accident and any injuries involved. If the motorcyclist was the person deemed solely responsible for causing the crash, it is difficult to recover compensation.
Although New Jersey is a no-fault insurance state, motorcyclists do NOT have the option of no-fault coverage. Thus, if involved in a crash, the motorcyclists may have the right to seek compensation by filing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
In New Jersey, since the state does not permit no-fault coverage for bikes, you must file a claim against the other party's insurance company. Provided you are not deemed to be over 50 percent at fault for the collision, you have the right to seek compensation. Any settlement or award is decreased in proportion to your assessed portion of fault.
Contact the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm for Immediate Assistance
If you have been in a motorcycle accident, call us to discuss your case. At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, we know what it takes to obtain the compensation you need and deserve if you are injured.
Our New Jersey personal injury attorneys have over 30 years of experience aggressively representing seriously injured clients in all types of motorcycle accident claims.
We have recovered over $100 million for our clients and can effectively negotiate on your behalf with even the largest insurance companies. We have successfully served thousands of clients throughout New Jersey.
To learn more about how we can help you pursue a personal injury claim, give us a call today at (973) 920-7900 to request a free and confidential consultation. There is never a fee unless we win.