Just last week, a driver found a motorcycle and its deceased rider on the side of the Gulf Freeway near the South Loop. It wasn’t clear how he was killed, though investigators believe he may have been speeding as he hit the exit ramp. This accident and so many others like it are avoidable when riders and the drivers around them take certain precautions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate motorcycle accidents killed 4,502 people in 2010, the last year for which information is available. They estimate the cost of these accidents, including medical care, productivity losses, and insurance premiums, at about $12 billion.

Because more and more people are riding motorcycles, the need for proper safety precautions is more important now than ever before. Helmets and safety equipment are just one way to keep safe. The CDC points out that some people are more at risk than others:

Age: Young people are not the only ones dying in motorcycle crashes. In 2010, more than half the people killed in motorcycle crashes were 40 or older, up from 25% in 1995.

Sex: While only 10% of riders killed in motorcycle crashes in 2010 were women, almost all passengers (89%) killed in motorcycle crashes were women.

Helmets: Forty-one percent of motorcycle operators and 50% of motorcycle passengers who died in 2010 were not wearing a helmet.

Location: More people are killed in motorcycle crashes on rural roads now than 20 years ago. Roughly half of all crashes take place on rural roads.

Alcohol: When people drink and ride, they are at much greater risk of crashing and dying. Twenty-eight percent of motorcycle riders who died in 2010 had a blood alcohol concentration that was at or above the legal limit of .08 g/dL.

Motorcycle Type: The majority of people who die in crashes are riding sport motorcycles with mid-size engines designed to maximize speed and agility.

You can’t change your gender or your age, but you can use this information to estimate your risk and take steps to prevent accidents. When all safety laws are followed and an accident still occurs, it’s usually the fault of a driver who didn’t see you.

Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, I may be able to help. As a Houston personal injury and accident attorney, I’ve represented many people who were badly injured in serious accidents.

You could be entitled to compensation. Call me today to discuss the specifics of your accident and your legal options. I can be reached for a free consultation at 281-677-3961.