How much does a crash cost?

[Slide Panda]

"In 2010, 439,678 motorcycles were sold in the United States. In that same year, 82,000 motorcyclists were injured in motorcycle crashes, and 4,502 were killed. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the direct cost of these motorcycle crashes was $16 billion or more. Thirty-times more likely to die in a vehicle accident, the typical fatal motorcycle crash costs an estimated $1.2 million according to the report, while non-fatal crashes range from $2,500 to $1.4 million depending upon the severity of the injuries and incidents.

In making its recommendations to curtail the costs associated with motorcycle crashes, the GAO says that only effective measure is the mandatory use of a motorcycle helmet. Citing several studies that say motorcycle helmets reduce the fatality rate of motorcycle crashes by 39%, the GAO also cites the NHTSA, which says that motorcycle helmets prevented 1,550 deaths in 2010. The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) says helmets saved the economy $3 billion in those 1,550 instances."

For all the details, links back to GAO, NTSH references and the full text:
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/oped/motorcycle-crash-cost/

[jaxduc]

... so... WEAR YOUR DAMN HELMET !!!!!!

[Raux]

I would like to see if they can take the numbers of car vs bike accidents that were fatal, helmet or not, and reflect that cost in improved driver education.

[1.21GW]

Not trying to be morbid here, but how exactly does a fatality cost 1.2 million?  Any idea what goes into that number?

[DDDuc]

With that number, I am guessing that lost wages are being taken into account.

[d3vi@nt]

I would like to see if they can take the numbers of car vs bike accidents that were fatal, helmet or not, and reflect that cost in improved driver education.

Amen.

[OzzyRob]

Not trying to be morbid here, but how exactly does a fatality cost 1.2 million?  Any idea what goes into that number?

I'm thinking half of that is the money spent by the gumbernment collecting these figures. Which would be better spent of educating ALL road users including cyclist & pedestrians.

[Slide Panda]

Not trying to be morbid here, but how exactly does a fatality cost 1.2 million?  Any idea what goes into that number?

Medical costs - fatal accident /= immediate death  . Emergency services and LEO costs - depending on the circumstances their might be considerable 1st responder effort and accident reconstruction. As mentioned, lost wages.

I'm thinking half of that is the money spent by the gumbernment collecting these figures. Which would be better spent of educating ALL road users including cyclist & pedestrians.

*sigh* More eduction in the US would be nice. Driving is more viewed as a right vs the privilege is really is. In my state, once you're past 19 or 21 (I can't recall) one only needs to pass a very basic multiple choice test to get a licence. So one needs only retain the rules of the road long enough to pass the test, and have zero practical experience/training and off you go...