Data compiled by the Motorcycle Industry Council and others shows that motorcycle sales for 2013 were up again. The numbers indicate that there were 483,526 street bikes, dual-sport, and off-road motorcycles sold in 2014, which is up 3.7 percent from the 465,783 from 2013.
The 2014 increase in motorcycle sales marks the fourth straight year that motorcycle sales in the United States have risen. Some of these increased sales are due to targeted marketing efforts by major motorcycle manufacturers, such as Harley Davidson, that are courting women, young riders, as well as African-Americans and Hispanics.
The change in motorcycle ridership also is affecting the types of motorcycles being purchased. Prior to the recession, heavy-weight motorcycles were very popular. However, sales of these big bikes has fallen off since 2006, when they were at their peak. Now, the number one and number two selling bikes are the smaller Harley Street Glide Special and the Breakout models, based on registration data.
Motorcycle Fatalities And Injuries
Currently, there were about 8.5 million motorcycles on the road in the United States. The riders of these motorcycles have the same rights as those riding in cars or other vehicles. However, motorists often fail to share the road with motorcyclists and fail to watch for them, leading to tragic results.
For example, in 2012, 60 out of every 100,000 registered motorcycles was involved in a fatal crash. This compares with only 14 out of every 100,000 passenger cars. Also, motorcyclists were about 26 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash and five times more likely to be injured.
However, the most recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows that motorcyclist fatalities were down 6.4 percent, from 4,986 in 2012 to 4,668 in 2013. The number of motorcyclist injuries also decreased 5.4 percent from 93,000 in 2012 to 88,000 in 2013. Unfortunately, while injuries and fatalities were down among the general population, fatalities among motorcyclists age 50 and older increased 7.7 percent from 2011 to 2012.
Motorcycle accidents can be caused by a variety of factors. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include situations where:
- a car, truck, or other vehicle turns in front of the motorcyclist at an intersection;
- another vehicle changes lanes right in front of the motorcyclist;
- another vehicle hits the motorcyclist from behind;
- someone in a passenger vehicle opens the vehicle door into the motorcyclist’s path;
- another motorcyclist rear-ends or drifts into the motorcyclist; and
- road conditions are unsafe (such as loose gravel or poorly marked road construction)
Tallahassee Legal Help For Motorcycle Accident Victims
Motorcycle accidents often result in serious physical injuries to the victim. Depending on the exact nature of the injuries, a motorcycle accident victim faces significant up-front hospitalization costs for his or her crash-related injuries. The crash victim also likely faces significant longer-term costs for post-injury physical therapy and rehabilitation, along with costs that can be caused by inability to work, necessary housing accommodations or modifications, or other assisted living needs.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Tallahassee or Southern Georgia motorcycle accident that was caused by the negligence of another, it is important to hire a Law Firm that is experienced at obtaining the maximum amount of compensation available for its injured clients. Call the Tallahassee motorcycle accident attorneys at Fasig & Brooks today at (850) 222-3232to discuss your personal situation and find out how you can protect your rights and obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
