Personal Injury 

Motorcycle injury statistics in Colorado. Do accidents change with the seasons?

If you drive a motorcycle or have considered getting one, you’ve likely experienced friends and family members telling you their safety concerns. As much as it may frustrate you, it is true that motorcyclists are more exposed to road hazards than car drivers. Per mile traveled in 2016, there were 28 times more deaths from motorcycle accidents than from car accidents in the United States — a lot of those riders weren’t wearing helmets or other protective gear. All but three states have partial or universal helmet laws, and Colorado is the most recent state to reinstate partial coverage. Today, Colorado has a partial helmet law requiring riders under the age of 18 to wear a helmet.

Unfortunately, motorcycle deaths account for a higher percentage of traffic deaths in Colorado than in other nearby states, but hopefully this will improve with increased helmet use. If you or a loved one have recently been injured in a motorcycle accident in the Denver-area, the attorneys at Lampert & Walsh can help get you the compensation you deserve. Their lawyers are well-versed in personal injury law relating to motorcycle accidents.

  • There were 194,129 motorcycles registered in Colorado in 2016, up from 184,174 in 2012, the Department of Revenue reported.
  • According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, there were 125 motorcycle fatalities in 2016, up 15 percent from the year before.
  • Motorcyclist deaths accounted for 6 percent of total motor vehicle deaths in 2016. That’s the fourth highest of all the fifty states behind only Nevada, DC, and Wyoming.

The number of motorcycle crashes are higher than average during the summer holidays, including Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. It makes sense as warmer temperatures encourage more riders to get out in the nice weather. However, alcohol consumption is prominent during holiday celebrations all year round, so stay safe by not driving under the influence. If you plan to ride on holidays, take extra safety precaution and stay aware of your surroundings.

Now for some more uplifting news — according to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA,) motorcyclist fatalities as a whole in the United States have trended downward, decreasing by 5.6 percent from 2016 to 2017. Educating yourself on the common causes of accidents and safety precautions you can take against them is the best way to protect you and your passengers.

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