# Motorcycle Accident vs. Car Accident: How Are They Different? | Attorney Brian White ![Motorcycle Accidents vs. Car Accidents: How Are They Different?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Motorcycle-Accidents-vs.-Car-Accidents-How-Are-They-Different-300x200.jpg) [Motorcycle accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/motorcycle-accident-lawyer/) differ from [car accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/) in significant ways. Motorcycle accidents cause more injuries and [deaths](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/wrongful-death-lawyer/) than car accidents. Unfortunately, the injuries that they cause also tend to be more serious. In this short guide, we’ll take a look at the statistics for motorcycle accidents vs. car accidents. ## What Are the Differences Between Motorcycle Accidents and Car Accidents? Many of the differences between motorcycle accidents and car accidents come from the differences between motorcycles and cars. These differences affect the likelihood of a motorcycle accident, the circumstances that can cause a motorcycle accident, and the injuries that result. ### Risks of Accidents Motorcyclists have a greater likelihood of getting into an accident than motorists. The U.S. has about 8.6 million registered motorcycles. These motorcycles travel about 19.7 billion miles each year. Motorcyclists get into about 110,000 accidents every year. For comparison, the U.S. has 268 million registered passenger vehicles. Vehicle owners drive about 3.2 trillion miles per year. These vehicles get into about 6 million accidents every year. This means that motorcycles get into about 5.6 accidents per million miles traveled. By contrast, passenger vehicles have about 1.88 accidents per million miles traveled. This makes motorcycles three times more likely to get into an accident than cars. ### Causes of Accidents More than half of all motorcycle accidents result from a vehicle driver hitting a motorcyclist. In other words, the fault for slightly more than half of the collisions between cars and motorcycles rests with the driver, not the motorcycle rider. - 42% of these accidents result from [vehicles turning left](https://one.nhtsa.gov/links/GetUpToSpeed/index.html) into a motorcycle or a motorcycle’s path - 41% of the accidents result from drivers failing to see motorcycles in their blind spots during [lane changes](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/lane-change/) - 43% of accidents involved motorcyclists [impaired by alcohol or drugs](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/dui/) - [Speeding](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/speeding/) played a role in 33% of motorcycle accidents In comparison, car accidents have much more diverse causes. [Distracted driving](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/distracted-driving/) is the most common cause of car accidents, causing about 16%. About 10% of car accidents involved drugs or alcohol. Finally, speeding played a role in only 2% of car accidents. ### Injuries Motorcyclists lack the protection that motorists have. Even when they [wear helmets](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/houston-helmet-laws/), motorcyclists have nothing – like a [crash bar](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/whats-a-motorcycle-crash-bar-and-how-does-it-work/) –  to help protect their sides. They also lack a roof to prevent ejection from their motorcycles and onto the road. Motorcycles usually weigh around 700 pounds, although heavier road bikes can weigh up to 900 pounds. In contrast, passenger cars usually weigh about 2,000 pounds, while SUVs can weigh up to 6,000 pounds. In an accident, weight matters. The momentum and energy transferred in an accident depend on the speed and weight of the vehicles involved. When a vehicle hits a motorcycle, the vehicle will have two to six times more energy and momentum when compared to a motorcycle traveling at the same speed. As a result, the motorcycle and motorcyclist will experience the bulk of the [damage](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/types-of-damages-available-in-personal-injury-cases/). If you have a motorcycle accident, you will probably suffer an injury. Of the 110,000 motorcycle accidents that take place in an average year, 89,000 cause injuries. This means 81% of motorcycle accidents result in an injury. Of the 6 million car accidents that occur every year, about 50% cause injuries. According to the insurance industry, this means that motorcyclists are [29 times more likely to die](https://www.iihs.org/research-areas/fatality-statistics/detail/motorcycles-and-atvs/) in a crash than vehicle drivers. When motorcyclists get injured, they suffer more severe injuries. In fact, about 6.6% of motorcycle accident victims suffer [head injuries](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/brain-injury-lawyer/). For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## Injury Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident One similarity between motorcycle accidents and car accidents is the availability of injury compensation. You can seek compensation for your [economic](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-are-economic-damages/) and [non-economic](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-are-non-economic-damages-in-texas/) losses if you suffer an injury due to someone else’s [negligence](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-is-negligence/). This compensation should cover your [medical bills](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/how-to-handle-your-medical-bills-after-a-car-accident/), [lost income](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/can-i-be-reimbursed-for-lost-wages-after-a-car-accident/), and [pain and suffering](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/how-are-pain-and-suffering-damages-calculated/). ## Contact the Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help For more information,[contact](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/contact-us/) the[Houston](https://www.houstontx.gov/), [Texas](https://www.texas.gov/) motorcycle accident law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000). Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) --- ### About the Author Brian White ![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg) [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. As a [Board-Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, Brian represents clients throughout Houston in cases involving [car accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/), [truck accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/truck-accident-lawyer/), [motorcycle accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/motorcycle-accident-lawyer/), [brain injuries](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/brain-injury-lawyer/), [wrongful death](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/wrongful-death-lawyer/), and more. Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and [community initiatives across Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/). [Client testimonials](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/testimonials/) highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents. [Avvo](https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/77098-tx-brian-white-74113.html) / [Justia](https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/brian-elliott-white-201630) / [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/attorney-brian-white-378410166) / [Facebook](https://m.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBrianWhiteLawFirm%2F&wtsid=rdr_0iRzhkRu5qMdI5f0b/) / [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDdkDcGkbY2GFTzpeTWypFQ) / [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fattorneybrianwhite%2F%3Fhl%3Den&is_from_rle/) / [Yelp](https://www.yelp.com/biz/brian-white-and-associates-houston) Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Motorcycle Accidents Blog Posts: [![Motorcycle Roadway Hazards](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Motorcycle-Roadway-Hazards-300x188.jpeg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/motorcycle-roadway-hazards/) [Motorcycle Roadway Hazards](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/motorcycle-roadway-hazards/) Every day, Texas roadways carry residents and visitors across our great state. In fact, Texas has more than 683,000 [![Houston Among Deadliest Cities for Motorcycles](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Houston-Among-Deadliest-Cities-for-Motorcycles-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/houston-among-deadliest-cities-for-motorcycles/) [Houston Among Deadliest Cities for Motorcycles](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/houston-among-deadliest-cities-for-motorcycles/) Houston was one of the nine cities with the highest number of motorcycle fatalities in 2019. Last year, 412 [![The Most Common Motorcycle Crash Injuries](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/The-Most-Common-Motorcycle-Crash-Injuries-300x197.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/the-most-common-motorcycle-crash-injuries/) [The Most Common Motorcycle Crash Injuries](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/the-most-common-motorcycle-crash-injuries/) It is no secret that motorcycles carry an elevated risk of crashes and injuries. Because motorcycles are not equipped [![Motorcycle Passenger Rights After an Accident in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Motorcycle-Passenger-Rights-After-an-Accident-in-Texas-1-300x240.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/motorcycle-passenger-rights-after-an-accident-in-texas/) [Motorcycle Passenger Rights After an Accident in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/motorcycle-passenger-rights-after-an-accident-in-texas/) A total of 562 motorcyclists died, and 2,422 people were injured in motorcycle accidents in Texas in 2022, according --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/motorcycle-accidents-vs-car-accidents-how-are-they-different/