A few days ago, an Arizona Department of Public Safety officer on a motorcycle was hit by an SUV at a Phoenix intersection. A fire captain told a TV station reporter that the accident was in early evening, around 7:50 p.m. at Camelback Road and 27th Avenue.
The officer was reportedly in stable condition, though he was hospitalized for injury treatment. As it turns out, the motorcycle accident occurred at the time of day at which collisions between cars and motorcycles are most likely.
According to the Highway Loss Institute of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the greatest number of fatal U.S. motorcycle accidents happen between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. The 472 accidents during the time period account for 23 percent of all fatalities in 2013. The second leading time period is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The safest time of day to ride a cycle? It’s from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.; only 3 percent of fatalities took place then.
The most dangerous month to ride is August, while the safest month of the year is February.
The type of bike that has the most fatal accidents: supersport with 707 deaths two years ago. Perhaps surprisingly, sport-touring motorcycles account for the fewest fatalities, registering just 22. An example of this kind of bike is the Yamaha SJ-09.
As the accident with the DPS officer shows, anyone on a motorcycle can be an accident victim. When those collisions between cars and bikes happen, motorcyclists can often be left with serious injuries requiring surgery, extensive medical care and long periods away from work. In order to pursue compensation for those damages, speak with a motorcycle accident attorney in Glendale experienced in motorcycle crash litigation.