Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Statistics

September 2006

Thinking about taking a ride on your bike while the weather is still mild in Pennsylvania? Before hitting the open road, consider these facts about motorcycle accidents, traumatic brain injuries and biker fatalities. It’s your right to ride with or without a helmet in Pennsylvania, but we urge you to think carefully about your safety before revving your engine.

• In 2004, total Pennsylvania motorcycle crashes increased 18% from 2003 while motorcycle fatal crashes decreased 1 from 2003.
• In 2004 there were 3,621 motorcycle crashes in Pennsylvania. That’s an increase of 933 more motorcycle crashes from 1999.
• There were 152 fatal motorcycle crashes in 2004.
• Of the 158 deaths in 2004 involving motorcycle drivers or passengers, 143 (90.5%) were drivers and 15 (9.5%) were passengers.
• Nationally, motorcycles make up only 0.4% of all miles traveled by motor vehicles. But they account for more than 8% of all traffic fatalities.
• Per mile traveled, a biker is about 18 to 20 times more likely to be in a serious or fatal crash than someone in an automobile.
• After Pennsylvania repealed the mandatory helmet law in 2004, there were 602 hospital discharges for traumatic brain injuries from motorcycle accidents.
• Compared to 2002, the last full year of the mandatory helmet law in Pennsylvania, there was a 53% increase in traumatic brain injuries in 2004.

Injured in a Motorcycle Accident? Contact Us Now For a Free Evaluation of Your Legal Case.

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