Virginia Motorcycle Accident, Injury and Fatality Data
Motorcycle accidents are a serious issue in Virginia.For each vehicle mile traveled, motorcycle riders are 16 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a traffic crash and 4 times as likely to be injured.
Motorcycle riders certainly suffer more in serious crashes.While 20 percent of car crashes result in injury or death, 80 percent of motorcycle crashes will end in injury or death.
While some motorcyclists believe that other road users cause their fair share of accidents, surprisingly riders themselves are responsible for about 70 percent of all motorcycle-related accidents.
Motorcycle accident injury data1
In 2007 2,284 people were injured in motorcycle crashes in Virginia, up from 2,206 in 2006
The age range with the greatest number of injuries from motorcycle crashes in Virginia is ages 21 to 35 (863 injuries)
The age range with the next highest number of injuries is ages 36 to 50 (710 injuries) and the third highest is ages 51 to 65 (447 injuries)
Motorcycle fatality data1
Motorcycle fatalities in 2007 were 80% greater than in 2006
In 2007, 126 people were killed in motorcycle accidents
Motorcycle fatalities in Virginia have increased 125% over the last 5 years
Motorcycle fatalities are the highest now than they have been in over 22 years
The average age of motorcycle riders killed in a crash is 37
The major contributing factors in fatal motorcycle accidents are speed, failure to maintain control of the motorcycle, and improper passing
Seventy percent of motorcycle fatalities involved one or more of the above major contributing factors
Of those killed in a motorcycle accident, 97% were wearing a helmet
Fifty-six percent of fatalities involved a single-vehicle accident (i.e. The motorcycle was the only vehicle involved)
Motorcycle titling, classification, and registration in Virginia1
A total of 165,584 motorcycles were registered in Virginia in 2007, a 9% increase over the previous year
Motorcycle classifications in Virginia have increased 61% over the last 10 years
Motorcycle registrations in Virginia have increased 151% over the last 10 years
62,417 motorcycle owners in Virginia do not have motorcycle classification
26,261 (42%) of motorcycles are titled in Virginia but they are not registered nor do their owners have a motorcycle classification
36,156 (58%) of motorcycles are titled and registered in Virginia but do not have a motorcycle classification
