Motorcycle Season in Missouri-SaveMoreLives

By The Cagle Law Firm | April 3, 2025 | Car Accidents, Featured, News

Motorcycle Crash Fatalities

In 2023,   we saw a record high of 172 motorcyclist fatalities on Missouri roadways. That number accounted for 17 percent of all traffic fatalities. Meanwhile, motorcycles only account for about 2.6% of all registered vehicles.  Thus motorcycle accident fatalities are disproportionately high compared to other vehicle fatalities. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation,  Missouri has seen a significantly higher number of motorcycle deaths beginning in 2021 and increasing yearly until 2024.   Preliminary 2024 data shows 133 motorcycle fatalities. While lower than 2023, that figure is still above average of 120 (average motorcycle fatalities prior to 2020).  Motorcycle fatality rates have been higher since the mandatory helmet law was repealed in 2020.

According to statistics provided my MoDOT, “We’re seeing about an average of 45-55 additional motorcycle fatalities every year since the helmet law was repealed” said John Nelson-MoDOT highway safety and traffic engineer.  MoDOT said that while they cannot pinpoint the repeal of the helmet law specifically for every additional fatality over the average, the repeal of the mandatory helmet law seems to be the factor that has changed the most.

In 2023, of the 172 motorcycle fatalities, 77 were wearing a helmet that complied with federal standards, while 11 were wearing some other type of helmet.  There were 73 not wearing a helmet at all.

Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety

Because of the high rate of motorcycle fatalities in Missouri, safety organizations such as Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety have created awareness campaigns and supporting statistics to remind all motorists of the importance of promoting safety for all motorists. The coalition promotes three major themes in motorcycle crash prevention:

• motorcycles are vehicle with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the roadway
• Allow the motorcyclist a full lane width. Do not share the lane
• Missouri law requires all motorcycle riders under the age of 26 or anyone operating under an instruction permit to wear a DOT-compliant helmet.

Serious and Fatal Missouri Motorcycle Crashes Across Missouri

The last 10 days have not been a great start for the spring motorcycle season.  Motorcycle crashes across the state have seriously injured three and killed four people.

St Peters: Sunday, March 31, 2025-  A motorcycle incident claimed the life of a 4 year old child and  injured a male driver. The child and the male driver were both ejected after the motorcycle struck a utility pole. The driver was seriously injured in the crash near Fort Zumwalt High School according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. According to the report, it was a single-vehicle crash and both occupants were wearing helmets.

Springfield, Saturday, March 30, 2025-A motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash with another vehicle on South Campbell Avenue near Broadmoor Street around 1 p.m.  A car was traveling north on S. Campbell Avenue and the motorcyclist went to turn west into a parking lot when the collision occurred. Springfield Police Department is investigating the crash.

Joplin, Saturday, March 30, 2025

A motorcyclist and vehicle collided at West 7th and Adele Avenue around 8:15 p.m. The driver of the SUV and the motorcyclist were transported to the hospital where the motorcyclist later died. Further details were not available as to how the crash occurred.

Kearny, March 29, 2025-A 27 year-old Kansas City man was killed after he was ejected from his motorcycle on Interstate 35 near Kearney, Missouri. According to the MSHP, the motorcycle went off the left side of the roadway and struck a guardrail. The ejected motorcyclist became entangled in the cable barriers and died at the scene.

Pettis County, March 28, 2025-A Knob Noster man was injured on southbound 65 in Pettis County on Thursday night. According to the MSHP, the motorcyclist failed to negotiate a curve and ran off the roadway and was ejected. The extent of his injuries are unknown, but it was reported he was wearing a helmet. He was transported to a Kansas City hospital.

Safer Motorcycle Season

Motorcycles and other vehicles can safely operate on the same roadways. We can take action as individuals to prevent motorcycle accidents.  Motorcyclists and driver can take action to reduce all types of crashes by driving alert, following rules of the road and keeping a look out for motorcyclists.

Driving Alert:  Avoid distracted driving by focusing on the road. It is easy to become distracted by your phone, dashboard controls and conversations with passengers. In our era of multi-tasking, there are so many people doing all kinds of things in their cars rather than focusing on the roadway.  When you are distracted for even a few seconds, you can travel 100 feet.  A lot can happen on the roadway in 100 feet.

Following the Rules of the Road: Following the rules of the roadway include observing stop signs, yielding the right-of-way, and obeying the speed limit.  In order for any of us to travel safely on our roadways, it requires all of us to follow the rules of the road.  When operators of larger vehicles simply don’t see smaller vehicles including motorcycles, it can lead to serious and deadly crashes.

Keeping a Look Out for Motorcyclists: Yes, motorcycles are not a visible as say, a semi-truck.  In fact, motorcycles have equal rights to the roadways and drivers have an obligation to look out for motorcycles.  Driver training and safety experts repeatedly emphasize the “look twice” rule, meaning if you are coming to an intersection where you are changing your direction of travel, look to the left, right and left again to be sure there are no other vehicles in your path.

Wear a Helmet: Statistically, we know that motorcycle helmets save lives. Yes, due to the repeal of the mandatory helmet law in Missouri in 2020, there are some riders who are not required by law to wear a helmet. Just  because something is not against the law does not always make it a good idea.  Motorcyclists who have been injured in a crash without a helmet have met great resistance from insurance adjusters regarding the severity of their injuries and compensation.   Most motorcycle crashes involve severe injuries to motorcyclists.  While an insurance adjuster is not supposed to hold a lack of a helmet against you in a state where it is not required, it happens.  Hiring an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer is critical to obtaining fair compensation.

If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, you will need a lawyer.   Dealing with an insurance adjuster and trying to argue the severity of your injury while trying to physically recover is counterproductive.  Serious injuries take time to fully evaluate and heal. During that process, those injured go through a myriad of emotional stages. Trying to deal with an insurance adjuster who is really not on your side while trying to physically recover is simply overwhelming.

We have successfully represented many clients involved in motorcycle accidents. Our attorneys are available seven days a week.

We are available seven days a week locally 314.276.1681 and toll free 1.800.685.3302

About The Author

The Cagle Law Firm

View all posts by The Cagle Law Firm →