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Despite rising over the prior twelve years, motorcycle deaths actually dropped in 2009. While this, of course, is good news, motorcycle use remains extremely dangerous. As motorcycle use has increased in popularity, so have associated injuries and deaths increased. From 1997 to 2007, motorcycle deaths jumped from 2,116 to 5,154 and injuries almost doubled to 103,000. 2008 was a record year for motorcycle deaths with 5,290. If negligent driving has injured you or a loved one, a Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyer is available to help you obtain compensation for your injuries.
A recent report from the Governors Highway Safety Association found that motorcycle deaths dropped nearly 16% over the first nine months of 2009 compared to 2008. Deaths dropped 38% in Washington D.C., 26% in Maryland, and 13% in Virginia. Overall, 38 states in the country reported drops. When officials complete the study for all of 2009, researchers expect the annual fatality rate to have declined by 10%.
Researchers argue against rushing to any conclusions from the data, however. In fact, state safety agencies speculated that the declines had nothing to do with safer motorcycle riding, but were more about the economy. They thought that, because people usually purchase motorcycles for recreational purposes, people were less likely to purchase them in tough economic times. Agencies also thought that those who bought motorcycles as part of a trend finally tired out and moved on to another hobby.
Motorcycles remain dangerous, however, and the failure of other drivers to recognize motorcycles is the leading cause of motorcycle-related accidents. Contact a Washington, D.C. personal injury attorney like Roger C. Johnson at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P if a negligent driver of either a car or a motorcycle has injured you or a loved one.