Motorcycle accidents in Indiana have increasingly become a focus for traffic safety and public health officials due to their significant impact on motorcyclists, passengers, and the broader community. These incidents not only account for a substantial portion of road traffic injuries and fatalities but also contribute to the emotional and economic strain on affected families and communities.
Indiana Motorcycle Crash Statistics
The most recent statistical data on motorcycle crashes in Indiana primarily originate from 2020 and comparative insights drawn from previous years. Despite the challenge of obtaining more recent data, the available figures provide a crucial window into the trends and dynamics of motorcycle accidents within the state.
Five-Year Averages (2016-2020)
How Many Motorcycle Accidents Occur Per Year?
The state averaged around 2,882 motorcycle crashes annually.
How Many Non-Fatal Motorcycle Injuries Occur Per Year?
Approximately 2,067 individuals sustained non-fatal injuries each year in motorcycle-related incidents.
How Many Motorcycle Fatalities Occur Per Year?
On average, Indiana reported approximately 121 motorcycle fatalities annually.
These statistics indicate that injuries occur in approximately 72% of motorcycle accidents, suggesting almost 3 out of 4 accidents will result in an injury. Furthermore, 4.2% of these crashes tragically result in fatalities. In every four crashes out of 100, someone will lose their life.
2020 Detailed Analysis
Fatalities
The number of motorcyclists killed in collisions surged by 23% from 2019, totaling 138 fatalities out of 2,785 total motorcycle crashes.
Gender Disparity in Collisions
The data showed a significant gender gap between all riders (2,943), with male motorcyclists (2,556) involved in far more collisions than female motorcyclists (381). Male motorcyclists accounted for 87% of all cyclists involved in crashes, while females only made up 13%.
Injuries
Reflecting a broader upward trend in motorcycle accidents, the number of individuals injured rose by 8% from 2019, reaching 1,969. There were 2,785 total motorcycle crashes in 2020, meaning 70% of all motorcycle crashes resulted in injuries.
Collision Types
Most motorcycle operators (71%) were involved in multi-vehicle incidents, whereas 29% encountered single-vehicle collisions. These statistics show that most motorcycle accidents happen due to interactions with other vehicles.
Motorcycle Helmet Use and Its Impact on Safety
The 2020 statistics highlight a critical safety issue regarding helmet use among motorcyclists. At the time of their accidents, only 22% of those who died were wearing helmets, meaning a staggering 82% of fatalities involved riders without helmets. Furthermore, among those injured, 69% were not wearing helmets at the time of their accidents, compared to 31% who were. This data underscores the significant role helmets can play in reducing the severity of injuries and fatalities in Indiana motorcycle accidents.
Ten-Year Trends
Decade Overview (2010-2020)
Over the past decade, the number of motorcyclists killed on Indiana roads showed significant fluctuation, from a peak of 151 motorcycle deaths in 2012 to a low point of 98 fatal motorcycle accidents in 2016. Throughout this period, motorcycle collisions consistently represented a small fraction of total traffic incidents — typically less than 2% — yet accounted for a disproportionately high 15% of traffic fatalities in 2020. The nature of the pandemic in 2020 may have had an impact on this jump in motorcycle accident deaths; further research is needed to fully understand this trend.
National Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The 2021 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) presents alarming insights into nationwide motorcycle safety trends, underscoring critical areas of concern. Below are the pivotal findings from the report:
Motorcyclist Fatalities
Increase in Fatalities: There were 5,932 motorcyclists killed, marking an 8% increase from the 5,506 fatalities in 2020. This is the highest number recorded up to that date since data collection began in 1975.
Traffic Fatality Share: Motorcyclist deaths accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities, even though they only account for 0.6% of annual vehicle miles traveled.
This disproportionate figure highlights the heightened risk faced by motorcyclists on the roads.
Injuries and Risks
Injuries: An estimated 82,686 motorcyclists were injured, a 5% increase from the previous year.
Risk Comparison: The fatality rate for motorcyclists (30.20 per vehicle miles traveled) was nearly 24 times higher than that for passenger car occupants (1.26).
Contributing Factors
Licensing: 36% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal accidents were riding without valid motorcycle licenses.
Alcohol Impairment:
- A higher percentage of motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were alcohol-impaired compared to drivers of other vehicle types (28% for motorcycles).
- 43% of motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes were alcohol-impaired.
- Nighttime fatal crashes saw a higher incidence of alcohol impairment (42%) compared to daytime (16%).
Impact of Helmet Laws
Helmet Use: In states without universal helmet laws, 55% of motorcyclists killed were not wearing helmets, in stark contrast to 9% in states with universal helmet laws. This means that motorcyclists in states with universal helmet laws are more likely to wear helmets and, therefore, have a higher chance of survival in the event of an accident.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle accidents can be attributed to a myriad of factors, often combining roadway conditions, rider behavior, and interaction with other vehicles. Understanding these causes can help in developing strategies for prevention and safety. Here are some significant contributors to motorcycle accidents:
Speeding
A significant number of motorcycle fatalities involve speeding. Approximately 34% of deadly motorcycle accidents are linked to riding at excessive speeds. Speeding not only increases the likelihood of a collision by reducing reaction time and lengthening stopping distances but also elevates the severity of crashes due to higher impact force.
Alcohol Impairment
Alcohol consumption is a critical risk factor in motorcycle accidents. Over 27% of motorcycle accident deaths are related to alcohol impairment. Single-vehicle crashes, which represent a significant portion of alcohol-related motorcycle accidents, accounted for 41% of these incidents and resulted in 880 deaths in 2020. In contrast, multi-vehicle accidents involving alcohol-impaired motorcyclists accounted for 18%, but still resulted in 556 rider fatalities during the same period.
Left Turns by Other Vehicles
A common scenario for motorcycle accidents is when a car makes a left-hand turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle, either not seeing the motorcyclist or misjudging their speed. This situation represents a significant risk for riders, often leading to severe injuries or fatalities.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting, or riding between two lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic, can be dangerous due to the close proximity to vehicles, reduced space for maneuverability, and the fact that drivers may not anticipate a motorcycle passing them in slowed or stopped traffic.
Inexperience
Lack of riding experience or insufficient training may lead to accidents due to poor decision-making, inability to execute evasive maneuvers, or underestimating hazardous road conditions.
Understanding these factors is crucial for motorcyclists and other road users to reduce the incidence of accidents and enhance road safety.
Injured in a Motorcycle Accident? Doehrman Buba Ring Fights For You
If you’ve been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, you deserve a personal injury lawyer who specializes in motorcycle accidents and who will fight for your rights. At Doehrman Buba, we have extensive experience in representing injured motorcyclists and understand the unique challenges they face.
Our team of skilled motorcycle accident attorneys will investigate the accident, gather relevant evidence, and help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Remember, we don’t get paid unless we win your case. Let us fight for you while you focus on your recovery.
