MOTORCYCLE FATAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH CASES IN MICHIGAN

Motorcycle accidents are far too common, and far too deadly.  The sobering fact is that in an average year as many as 166,000 motorcycle riders will suffer serious injury requiring hospitalization.  4,700 of these motorcyclists will die as a result of fatal injuries received from their motorcycle accident.  A Michigan motorcycle operator is about 18 times more likely to be killed in a fatal motorcycle crash and three times more likely to be injured than an occupant of a motor vehicle. 

Fatality statistics for motorcyclists and wrongful death lawsuits involving motorcycle operators in Michigan mirror the national averages.  Motorcyclists are almost 4 times more at risk of dying in a motorcycle accident than an occupant of a motor vehicle.  Serious, catastrophic injuries to motorcyclists also far exceed occupants of motor vehicles, and motorcycle operators involved in serious accidents make a statistically disproportionate share of claims under the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association. 

Alcohol and operator error play large roles, as expected, in many fatal motorcycle accident crashes. I
Forty-one (41) percent of the 1,203 people killed in single vehicle motorcycle accidents were legally intoxicated and approximately 49 percent of motorcyclists who suffered fatal injuries were not wearing a helmet at the time of their motorcycle accident. 

In contrast to alcohol and human error, only 3 percent of motorcycle accidents are the result of equipment failure or malfunction, such as a tire puncture.  Roadway or highway defect claims, which have themselves been largely wiped out under current Michigan law in recent years, account for 2 percent of motorcycle accidents.  Weather, often thought of as a leading cause of motorcycle accidents and motorcycle fatalities in states like Michigan, plays a relatively minor role when compared to alcohol and human error.  Michigan weather is not a factor in over 98% of motorcycle accidents and motorcycle fatality crashes according to government statistics. 

The most common type of motorcycle accident due to operator error is a slide out due to excessive over braking or taking a turn at excessive speeds.

Nevertheless, most motorcycle owners do drive responsibly but are seriously injured or killed due to the negligence of others.  Approximately 75% of motorcycle accidents are the result of motorcycle crashes with other vehicles, such as cars and trucks on the road that simply fail to see the motorcyclist. 

Motorcyclists are simply far more vulnerable than other drivers on Michigan roads.  Drive defensively and use every possible safety precaution when riding your motorcycle.