If you have ever wondered what motorcycle accidents in New York State look like from a statistical perspective, the state’s Department of Health (DOH) can satiate your hunger for facts. The Department’s most recent statistics cover 2012 to 2014 and provide a snapshot of the cost of motorcycle wrecks in the state and who bears that cost. Please keep reading as our Buffalo motorcycle accident lawyer explains.
What Motorcycle Crashes in New York State Look Like
Over the three-year period that the DOH studied, there were, on average, over 6,000 motorcycle wrecks resulting in injury or death every year. This total breaks down to about 500 injury-causing or fatal motorcycle wrecks every month, or about 15 per day. This number does not include accidents where non-motorcyclists suffered injury or death.
While every motorcycle wreck is different, the data reveals some common trends. These include:
Age of Motorcyclists
According to the data, the age group that experienced the most deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits was the 25 to 44-year-old age bracket. On average, 1,962 people from that age group visit the emergency room for motorcycle crash injuries each year. Another 633 require hospitalization, and 67 die due to a motorcycle wreck.
The age group with the second-highest numbers is the 45 to 64-year-old age group. For this age bracket, on average, 39 people die in motorcycle crashes each year, another 528 require inpatient admission to a hospital, and 1,141 visit an emergency room.
The 65 and older age bracket experienced the least deaths and emergency room visits from motorcycle crashes.
Gender of Motorcyclists
Of those motorcyclists who suffered injury or death between 2012 and 2014, the vast majority were male. Women accounted for 714 emergency room visits, 173 hospital admissions, and 13 deaths. In contrast, men represented 3,744 trips to the emergency department, 1,385 hospitalizations, and 128 deaths.
Cost of Hospitalizations and Emergency Room Visits
Looking at the combined total of costs over the three years studied, the Department of Health found that medical costs associated with emergency room visits totaled $49,689,396. Costs related to hospital admissions were nearly seven times as much: $332,716,828.
At first, it may seem strange that there were far more emergency room visits than hospitalizations, yet the costs of emergency room visits were significantly lower. But there are many additional expenses associated with an inpatient hospital stay that emergency room visitors do not incur.
Get Help from a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer if You Are Hurt
While these statistics can suggest who is more at risk for being injured in a motorcycle crash, anyone who gets on a motorcycle can find themselves injured or seriously hurt. The costs of these events can be high, but a lawsuit filed with a motorcycle accident lawyer’s help may help compensate you for these expenses.
Our team of New York motorcycle accident lawyers stands ready to assist you with your recovery. Immediately after a motorcycle wreck, call the Law Offices of Kenneth Hiller, PLLC, and ask to schedule your free, confidential case evaluation.
