How Many Traffic Fatalities Have There Been This Year?

A family is in mourning after the death of an 18-year-old man in North Austin. The man, Edwin Proenza-Benedit, was riding his 2007 Suzuki motorcycle in the left lane of the 8200 block of Research Boulevard northbound when a driver turned from Jamestown Drive onto the service road. The accident happened in the early afternoon. The car crossed into the motorcyclist’s path and he was unable to avoid contact. He slammed into the right rear tire of the other vehicle and lost control of his motorcycle. He fell from his bike and was pronounced dead shortly after.

This accident was the 67th fatal traffic crash in Austin this year, and the 72nd fatality of 2017. At this time last year, there were 71 fatal traffic crashes and 73 traffic fatalities.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics in the United States

According to recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 5,000 people die in the United States in motorcycle accidents every year. Motorcyclists are more than 29 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled, and are almost five times more likely to be injured.

Roughly 40 percent of motorcyclists who die in accidents are not wearing helmets at the time of the accidents. Per registered vehicle in 2015, motorcyclists were six times more likely to die in accidents than passenger car occupants.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident in Central Texas, our law firm can help. We have decades of experience representing victims of motorcycles and their loved ones.