Los Angeles Injury Lawyer Blog

A frightening new analysis by Gannet New Service shows that motorcycle fatalities are on the rise at a staggering rate, and the victims are getting older. The results point to the weakening of helmet laws across the country and a new trend in motorcycles for middle-aged men. Bike crashes account for a disproportionately high number of traffic accident deaths. While California maintains helmet laws, hundreds of motorcyclists continue to be killed in crashes. If you or a loved on has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident in California, please call an attorney to help you understand your rights.

After 1995, many states began to roll back their helmet safety laws, with some requiring helmets for certain ages only, and other states eradicating helmet requirements altogether. In what some see as a direct result of weakening laws, the number of motorcycle fatalities from 1996-2006 rose from 2116 to 4810 deaths, more than doubling. All other vehicle accident fatalities decreased during that period.

In a strange twist, a fashionable, new trend in middle-aged biking has resulted in a large number of motorcycles accidents and fatalities in the 40-plus crowd. Experts state that this development is cause for alarm, since age can result in drivers having shorter reaction time and less physical dexterity.

Following are some statistics highlighting the dangerous and deadly risks motorcyclist take while on the road.

• Motorcycles comprise 2% of motor vehicles on the road, but account for 10% of traffic fatalities


• 90% of all motorcycle riders who are killed are men.


• For all motorcyclists killed, 42% of riders are not wearing helmets.


• Half of the bikers who died in 2006 were 40 or older, with 25% who were 50+. The average age for motorcycle death was 38.


• 50% of rider fatalities from 2002-06 occurred without impact to another vehicle, but rather from loss of control


• Once nearly every state required helmets for all motorcyclists. Today, only 20 states have such laws.

If you or a loved one has been in a motorcycle-related accident, you should seek the advice of an experienced law team. The Law Offices of Greenberg & Rudman LLP offer 50 years combined experience in injury law. Please call us toll-free at 1-800-ALAWPRO (1-800-252-9776) for a free consultation. You deserve justice. Call us now, and let us help fight for you.