Updated on: 9/22/2020
As temperatures increased through the month of April and into May, so did motorcycle fatalities.
According to Washington State patrol's collision analysis tool the month of April saw a sharp spike in Motorcycle fatalities and May appears to be maintaining the increased rate through the first 10 days of the month.
2020 Motorcycle Fatalities by Month
January- 0
February- 3
March- 1
April- 11
May (1st-10th)- 4
Understanding Trends in Collision Data
While warmer weather has a correlation with more motorcyclists on the road and an increase in motorcycle accidents, but a sharp increase in fatalities is more unique and concerning.
According to US statistics, motorcycle rider deaths are nearly 30 times more common than drivers of other vehicles.
With speed being a factor in 159 motorcycle crashes in Washington State alone, the increase in fatalities could be in part related to an increase in reports of extreme speeds across the state since the coronavirus shutdowns have gone into place.
If accidents continue at the current rate, May would have as many as a dozen fatalities to match or surpass the numbers recorded in April. Unfortunately, limited data like this is not sufficient to draw hard conclusions from and should not be used to make exact predictions and any number of factors could impact the data going forward.
Davis Law Group has previously completed traffic studies using larger data sets over long periods of time to gain insights into things like peak times for marijuana involved accidents in the state of Washington, the most dangerous motorcycle rides in Washington and even compiling a list of the states most dangerous intersections based on traffic data.
How to Protect Yourself as a Motorcycle Rider
There are ways to protect yourself as a motorcycle rider and avoid becoming a statistic while still enjoying the open roads on your bike of choice.
Control Your Speed: Speed involved accidents are particularly dangerous for riders as high speeds not only increase the risk of severe injury but also limit the time you and others on the road have to react to changing situations.
Watch Out For Changing Road Conditions: Road conditions can change in an instant and something as simple as potholes or dirt, gravel, or even grass clippings on the roadway can be enough to cause an accident.
Know The Law: Understanding the rules and regulations of riding in your state is crucial to keeping yourself safe and making sure that you and everyone else on the road are on the same page. Know whether or not things like lane splitting are legal in your state and even if it is, avoid it when possible as studies have shown lane splitting can lead to a more serious accident for motorcycle riders.
Carry Proper Insurance: Washington State requires all motorists to carry at least $25,000 in liability protection but carrying additional coverage options such as UIM and PIP can help protect you in the event of an accident down the line.
Finally, if you are injured in an accident, speaking with expert legal counsel to help you understand the claim process is invaluable for ensuring a good recovery. That's why the award-winning team of Motorcycle accident attorneys at Davis Law Group offers free case evaluations to accident victims and their family members.
If you or a loved one have been injured in any kind of accident, request your free case evaluation today by calling 206-727-4000 or use the chat or contact options on this page today.
