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A motorcyclist is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries following a crash this morning in the area of 47th St. and Central Ave. at approximately 5:00 a.m. Officers arriving on the scene reported seeing the crashed motorcycle; first responders took the injured motorcyclist to the hospital. The rider suffered life threatening injuries; Albuquerque Police Department’s Traffic Unit is currently looking into the causes of the crash.
Westbound Central is closed between 47th St. and 50th St. while police investigate.
KEY FACTS ON MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES
While motorcycles are only 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States and travel only 0.6% of all vehicle miles traveled, motorcycle accidents nevertheless account for 14% of all traffic fatalities — a total of 5,579 motorcyclists killed. This is the highest number of motorcyclists killed since 1975.
In addition, motorcycle accidents are responsible for 18% of all occupant fatalities and 4% of all occupant injuries (statistics are for 2020 and are the latest data available).
Between 2019 and 2020, fatalities for motorcycle riders and their passengers increased 11%, while the rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled increased by 23%. Per vehicle miles traveled in 2020, motorcyclist fatalities occurred nearly 28 times more often than passenger car occupant fatalities in traffic accidents. The fatality rate for motorcyclists in 2020 was nearly 43 times the fatality rate for light truck occupants. And the injury rate for motorcyclists was four times higher than the injury rate for passenger car occupants.
In the past 10 years, death rates from motorcycle accidents have increased 27%.
Although in 2020, motorcycle riders who were involved in fatal accidents had higher percentages of alcohol impairment than other drivers, this has not been typical of motorcycle accident trends to date. The majority of fatalities in motorcycle accidents occurred:
- When wearing helmets ( 58% );
- In good weather ( 78% );
- In daylight conditions ( 57% );
- On urban roads ( 61% );
- In crashes involving two vehicles ( 52% );
- On non-interstate roads ( 92% ); and
- At locations that were not intersections ( 65% ).
Of great interest to many is the fact that 73% of motorcyclists involved in fatal accidents were not alcohol impaired.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MOTORCYCLISTS
In 2011, motorcyclists ages 55 and older accounted for 23% of motorcyclists killed in accidents. This number increased to 27% in 2020. Fatalities among motorcyclists aged 55 and older increased by 37% over the 10-year period from 2011 to 2020. The average age of motorcyclists killed in traffic accidents in 2011 was 42 years old; In 2020, the average age was 43 years old.
When looking at the ages of motorcyclists involved in fatal accidents and the time of day that the crashes occurred, statistics reveal that in 2011, motorcyclists aged 50 to 54 had the highest rate of traffic fatalities on weekends, and motorcyclists aged 25 to 29 suffered the greatest number of fatalities on weekdays. But by 2020, motorcyclists aged 25 to 29 had the highest rate of fatalities both during weekends and weekdays.
STATISTICS ON ACCIDENT DETAILS
in 2020, 55% of motorcyclists involved in fatal accidents collided with moving motor vehicles.
In fatal crashes involving two vehicles , 76% of the motorcycles were struck in the front; only 7% were hit from behind.
Fatal collisions with motorcycles more often involve collisions with fixed objects than other types of vehicles; For example, 25% of motorcycles in fatal crashes hit stationary objects, compared with 18% for passenger vehicles, 14% for light trucks, and 5% for large trucks.
In 2020, fatal crashes that involved a motorcycle and another type of vehicle totaled 2,741. The other vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking other vehicles in 42% of these crashes. Accidents where both vehicles were proceeding in a straight direction accounted for 21% of fatalities.
JUSTICE FOR ACCIDENT VICTIMS
Pending the outcome of the investigation of this morning’s motorcycle crash in Albuquerque, the motorcyclist and their family members may seek damages for pain and suffering and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident such as this incident.
“Motorcyclists are at greater risk for traffic fatalities and serious injury when driving on our streets,” said Brian Colón, Managing Partner of Singleton Schreiber’s New Mexico offices. “This type of accident impacts not just the motorcyclist but also their family. The injured motorcyclist is likely to lose time and income from lost work and will almost certainly incur significant and burdensome medical bills. Those who suffer severe injuries that occurred due to the negligence of others should contact a personal injury attorney immediately to help them through this complicated and difficult process.”
New Mexico’s premier personal injury law firm Singleton Schreiber is available to answer questions and assist you in your motorcycle accident claims. For any legal questions on this accident or any other New Mexico personal injury or wrongful death case, call Singleton Schreiber at (505) 591-4111 or email info@singletonschreiber.com.
