Plenty of residents in Oklahoma City love to get out on their motorcycles and enjoy a ride in the open air. Sadly, local drivers rarely pay enough attention to the motorcycles around them to prevent accidents and keep riders safe.
Ylla|Gosney Attorneys at Law wanted to spotlight recent motorcycle accident numbers to serve as a reminder to all local motorists. Motorcyclists ride with very little protection if struck by a Car, Truck, or SUV. Far too many riders get hurt each year on Oklahoma City streets, highways, and interstates. Hopefully, a look at the toll motorcycle collisions take on local victims and their families and friends can convince OKC drivers to slow down and pay attention.
How Many Motorcyclists in OKC Are in Motorcycle Accidents in a Year?
According to data from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO), there have been more motorcyclists suffering accidents recently. In 2021, the most recent year in which official numbers have been released, there were 283 riders in accidents in Oklahoma City. That’s higher than at any point over the previous five years. Those accidents resulted in at least 43 serious injuries. We await figures for 2022 and 2023 to see if this dangerous upward trend continues.
OHSO numbers also showed that 2021 was a troubling return to very high motorcycle fatality rates after a drop-off during the 2020 pandemic. At least 15 people lost their lives on OKC streets while riding in 2021. Sadly, at least 12 of the deadly incidents involved a rider without a helmet.
Oklahoma motorcyclists are never at fault for accidents simply because they weren’t wearing helmets at the time. Oklahoma doesn’t require that riders wear helmets unless they are under 18 years old. However, helmets are an important safety device that every rider should seriously consider purchasing and wearing.
Helmets are also incredibly effective safety devices when motorcyclists are struck by distracted and speeding drivers. Perhaps half or more of the deaths each year in our city could be changed into injury accidents that riders have a chance to fully recover from.
What Age Groups Are in The Most Motorcycle Accidents in Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City Police and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Officers generally list the age of victims when they write up accident reports for motorcycle collisions.
When you look over the data for each accident in the city, it’s easy to see that riders in their 20s and 30s are most at risk of getting into crashes. More specifically, the numbers show that Oklahoma City riders aged 25 to 35 were in the most motorcycle accidents in 2021.
OSHO also reports that information on the ages of about a dozen victims was not provided.
How Many Motorcyclists Are Killed in U.S. and Oklahoma Accidents?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2021 there were 5,932 motorcyclists killed in traffic accidents across the country.
- 2021 recorded the highest death toll for riders since data collection started in 1975.
- Motorcycle collisions made up 14% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. for the year.
- 82,686 riders were injured in U.S. motorcycle accidents in 2021.
Oklahoma continues to see elevated motorcycle accident rates. Traffic authorities have continued to register over 1,200 motorcycle accidents a year over a recent four-year stretch. In 2021, there were almost 1,300 motorcycle collisions responded to, and at least 76 tragic deaths associated with those crashes.
In a tragic discovery, the NHTSA says that in 2021, around 80% of the fatal motorcycle crashes reported in our state involved a rider without a helmet on. That was the highest percentage in the country for motorcycle fatalities and helmet use.
Pushing for Improved Safety for Oklahoma City Motorcyclists
Highlighting the troubling numbers for riders in our city won’t be enough to stop the tragedies that affect local victims, their families, and the OKC community. City leaders will need to do more to get the word out about the dangers motorcyclists face. Oklahoma City Police and the Highway Patrol will need to continue to crack down on reckless and careless drivers.
Unfortunately, drivers will continue to hit defenseless motorcyclists and riders will continue to face difficult recoveries. When these heartbreaking accidents occur, it’s critical that victims receive the support they need to heal and get back on their bikes again. A skilled Oklahoma City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer can help you seek justice and compensation after a collision. Please contact us to schedule a free case consultation if you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury.