We often write or podcast about the various hazards Sacramento residents encounter on our roads and highways. It doesn’t matter whether you travel on four wheels, two wheels or on foot; everyone is at risk of getting injured or killed in a car accident.
But does this mean that every traveler has an equal risk? The answer is a resounding “no,” according to government statistics. In fact, a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reveals that in the event of a crash, a motorcyclist is 30 times more likely to be killed than someone traveling in a car.
This sobering figure is based on analysis of motorcycle accident statistics from 2010. That year, just over 4,500 riders were killed in crashes, while another 82,000 suffered injuries. The GAO estimates that the combined costs of these accidents reached $16 billion.
As large as that sum is, it doesn’t tell the whole story because the estimate only accounts for direct costs from injuries and fatalities. The financial consequences of a car or motorcycle accident may last for years and cannot always be accurately measured. For instance, accident victims may suffer financial losses related to:
- The costs of long-term medical care and rehabilitation
- Changes in employment, including unpaid leave and the loss of a job
- Changes in living status
These significant financial costs are just one of the many reasons that motorcycle accident victims should speak with a personal injury attorney if they feel that their accident was caused by a negligent driver.
Beyond this, however, the GAO report shows just how hazardous the roads are for motorcyclists. Check back later this week as our motorcycle injury attorneys discuss ways to reduce the prevalence of motorcycle accidents, as well as ways to make such accidents less fatal.