Motorcycle Deaths Remain At Record Levels
Motorcycling in Colorado is one of life’s great pleasures, but it comes with real risks that every rider should understand. The national picture on motorcycle safety has grown increasingly serious over the past decade. In 2023, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed on U.S. roads, the most since federal recordkeeping began in 1975, with another 82,564 injured in crashes. Motorcyclists accounted for 15% of all traffic fatalities and 20% of all motor vehicle occupant fatalities, despite being a small fraction of registered vehicles on the road.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, our Colorado Springs motorcycle accident attorneys are here to help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Motorcycle Helmets Prevent Head Injuries And Fatalities
Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable in a crash with a motor vehicle. They have no steel frame around them, no airbags, and no seat belt. The federal government estimates that per mile traveled in 2022, the number of deaths on motorcycles was nearly 22 times the number in cars. Because serious head injury is so common among fatally injured motorcyclists, helmet use is critically important.
Helmets are about 37% effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and about 67% effective in preventing brain injuries. Yet only 17 states and the District of Columbia mandate helmet use by all riders. In 2023, only 18 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico required helmet use for all motorcyclists. Twenty-nine states required helmets only for a subset of riders, typically those under 18, and three states — Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire — had no motorcycle helmet law at all.
The real-world impact of weakening helmet laws is stark. When Missouri repealed its universal helmet law in 2020, motorcycle deaths jumped 47% by 2023, the deadliest year on record for that state. This pattern has repeated itself in state after state over the decades. In Colorado, only riders under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet. Adult riders are free to choose, but the data makes a compelling case for always wearing one regardless of what the law requires.
Alcohol And Impairment Remain Major Factors
Of the 6,335 motorcyclists killed in 2023, 1,668 — about 26% — were alcohol-impaired at the time of the crash. In single-vehicle crashes, alcohol involvement rises to 40% of fatally injured motorcycle drivers. Impaired riders have slower reaction times, reduced coordination, and significantly worse judgment, all of which are already critical factors in motorcycle safety even when sober. The combination of alcohol and a motorcycle is among the most dangerous situations on the road.
Impaired riders are also less likely to be wearing a helmet. The reported helmet use rate for alcohol-impaired motorcycle riders killed in crashes in 2023 was 55%, compared to 70% for those with no alcohol in their system. The risk factors compound each other in the worst possible way.
Speeding Is A Persistent Problem Among Riders
Thirty-six percent of all motorcycle riders in fatal crashes in 2023 were speeding, compared to 22% for passenger car drivers, 15% for light-truck drivers, and just 7% for large-truck drivers. Motorcycle riders 21 to 24 years old had the highest speeding involvement of any age group in fatal crashes. The combination of high-performance bikes, less experience, and a tendency to underestimate risk makes younger riders particularly vulnerable.
Rider Training And Experience Matter Enormously
A significant number of motorcyclists involved in serious crashes have limited training or experience on the specific bike they were riding at the time. Self-taught riding or learning from friends and family, without formal instruction, leaves significant gaps in hazard awareness, emergency braking technique, and cornering skills. Motorcycle rider training courses, such as those offered through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, can meaningfully reduce crash risk and are often rewarded with insurance discounts. Even experienced riders can benefit from periodic refresher training, particularly after a long winter break or when switching to a new bike with different handling characteristics.
More than half of all motorcyclists involved in crashes had limited experience on the specific motorcycle they were riding at the time of the accident, even if they had experience on other bikes. Different motorcycles handle very differently, and transitioning to a higher-powered machine without adequate adjustment time is a known risk factor.
What To Do If You Are In A Motorcycle Accident
Even riders who do everything right can be seriously injured by negligent drivers who fail to see them or share the road safely. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, the steps you take immediately afterward can significantly affect your ability to recover fair compensation. Seek medical attention right away, document everything at the scene, and contact an experienced attorney before speaking with any insurance company. Understanding what damages you may be entitled to recover and acting within Colorado’s statute of limitations are critical first steps.
Contact Our Colorado Springs Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
At Rector Stuzynski Law Firm, our Colorado Springs motorcycle accident attorneys are riders ourselves and understand what is at stake after a serious crash. We have the experience and resources to build a strong case and fight for the maximum compensation our clients deserve. Call us today at (719) 578-1106 for a free consultation. We are available 24/7 and ready to help.
