Riding a motorcycle brings exhilaration and freedom you don’t get with driving a car, but there are inherent risks motorcyclists face daily. According to ConsumerAffairs, 15% of fatalities involved motorcycle riders, despite motorcycles making up just 3% of registered vehicles.
It illustrates that motorcyclists face a vast number of dangers, and the exposed nature of riding a bike means injuries are often worse and likelier to result in fatalities. But how safe are motorcycles in 2024, and where are you likeliest to experience an accident? In this guide, we explore the state of biking in America.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, an Austin Motorcycle Accident Lawyer can help you navigate your legal options.
Key Takeaways
Your odds of being in a motorcycle accident are one in 100, with a one in 747 chance of being killed. Approximately 15% of all fatalities involve motorcycle riders.
The current motorcycle accident fatality rate is 65 per 100,000 registered vehicles, with the injury rate at 864 per 100,000 registered vehicles.
Leading causes of motorcycle accident deaths include speeding, driving under the influence, and lane splitting.
Despite helmets reducing the chances of a head injury by 69%, only two-thirds of riders regularly wear them.
The most dangerous states to be a motorcyclist include Florida, California, and Texas, with the highest death rates per 100,000 residents being the Sunshine State.
Two-thirds of motorcycle accidents occur in urban areas, with intersections being one of the most dangerous locations to ride.
The most common fatally injured motorcyclists were male riders, with the 25-29 demographic seeing the most deaths of any age range.
Speak to a lawyer if you’re involved in a motorcycle crash that wasn’t your fault to ensure your claim is properly investigated and filed.
What are the Odds of Having a Motorcycle Accident?
Your odds of having a motorcycle accident are around one in 100, with the National Safety Council revealing you have a one in 747 chance of dying in one. However, these odds are still far higher than for car drivers and passenger vehicle occupants.
According to Forbes, motorcyclists are 28 times likelier to die in a fatal accident compared to someone in a car. They also have a four times higher injury rate than passenger car occupants. All the numbers point toward motorcyclists taking on a substantially higher risk of being in an accident than drivers of any other vehicle type.
It’s why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 82,600 injuries to motorcyclists in 2022. Unfortunately, this is a record high and shows that the dangers of biking continue to grow.
How Common are Motorcycle Accidents?
The NHTSA and other road safety advocates indicate that 1% of all motorcyclists will crash in any given year. Moreover, they make up 15% of all accidents, indicating they’re overrepresented in America’s crash statistics.
The IIHS’s latest statistics show that the number of motorcycle fatalities today is triple the number in 1997, even though the proportion of registered motorcycles hasn’t increased at anywhere near the same rate.
However, these statistics only show the national picture. Your chances of being involved in an accident depend heavily on where you live, with major metropolitan areas presenting more considerable risks due to greater traffic volumes and more complicated intersections.
Motorcycle Fatality Statistics
The injury rate for motorcyclists soars well above the fatality rate, with the injury rate per 100,000 registered vehicles set at 864, whereas the fatality rate was 65. Per AutoInsurance.com, fatalities in 2022 increased by 1%, making it the most dangerous year on record.
Fatality rates have grown significantly over the last decade. For example, the fatality rate for motorcyclists in 2012 was 55.83, whereas today, it’s 65. Interestingly, the injury rate has actually fallen from its peak of 1,203 per 100,000 vehicles in 2016 to just 864 in 2022.
So, why has this trend occurred? Experts mention the following reasons to explain this trend:
Increased Miles Traveled – Erico Motorsports reveals the average number of miles traveled has reached 3,000. Although still far behind cars, which boast 12,000 miles, the more you’re on the road, the higher your chance of death.
Aging Population – The Ride So Far puts the average motorcycle owner at around 50. Although they possess more riding experience, the risk of serious injuries increases.
High-Powered Motorcycles – Motorcycles today are more powerful than ever, with high-horsepower engines. Despite their performance, they also come with much higher death rates than the rigs people were driving 30 years ago.
Lack of Safety Mandates – Did you know that just 17 states require all riders to wear helmets at all times? The lack of rules on safety equipment and enforcement dramatically increases the odds of traumatic brain injuries.
In short, the overall number of injuries has fallen, but deaths have risen because motorcycle collisions today tend to be at higher speeds with these new superpowered bikes that people are driving now. Moreover, the aging population of bikers means that injuries they might have walked away from in their 20s will now kill them.
Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
The leading causes of motorcycle accidents include speeding and alcohol use. Driving too quickly is a significant risk factor in all accidents, as is drunk driving. Sadly, these two causes are overrepresented in motorcycle accident and death statistics.
Here’s a rundown of the top causes of motorcycle accidents:
Speeding—Driving too fast is a considerable risk factor in the rate of motorcyclists killed or injured in multi and single vehicle crashes. The National Safety Council reports that 34% of all motorcycle accidents involve a motorist speeding. Naturally, if an accident does occur, higher speeds are likely to result in more devastating injuries.
Alcohol Use – Drink driving is an enormous risk factor because it reduces your ability to perceive hazards and slows your reaction times. According to the NHTSA, more than a quarter of fatal accidents involved alcohol.
Lane Splitting – Passenger car drivers often don’t expect bikers to be maneuvering through stopped or slow-moving traffic. Lane splitting is illegal unless you live in California, and even there, it can only be done under specific circumstances.
Unsafe Lane Changes – Passenger cars and trucks often don’t look for bikers because they aren’t expecting them. Likewise, bikers might find themselves in a blind spot, resulting in larger vehicles wiping them out.
Car Turning Left – When a car turns left at an intersection, drivers may not see a motorcycle riding straight or may misjudge their speed.
Sadly, there’s a nationwide epidemic of drivers not searching for bikers, meaning many injuries and traffic fatalities result through no fault of the biker. According to an Association for Psychological Science study, 65% of participants missed a motorcycle on the road. In contrast, just 31% missed a taxi when placed in the same position.
Motorcycle Helmet Use Statistics
Your motorcycle helmet is the most critical piece of safety gear. The National Safety Council reports that helmet use was just 66.5% in 2022, a minor increase from 64.9% the previous year. Just 17 states and DC mandate helmet use, meaning most parts of the country consider it a personal decision.
It’s a quirk in the law that has always existed. For example, 49 states and DC require all adult front-seat passengers to wear a seatbelt when traveling in a passenger car, yet no such law exists for motorcyclists to wear helmets.
The evidence on the value of helmets is clear. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), wearing motorcycle helmets is 37% effective for riders and 41% for passengers in preventing deaths. Overall, the risk of sustaining a head injury declines by 69% when you wear a helmet.
So, why aren’t motorcyclists wearing helmets? According to a study from the National Library of Medicine, the main reasons given included:
77% of people said helmets are too heavy.
71.4% said that helmets were too hot.
69.4% said that helmets caused their neck pain.
67.7% of participants felt that helmets suffocated them.
59.6% of people claimed that helmets restricted their head and neck movements.
Not everyone enjoys wearing a helmet, but minor discomfort and adapting to it are a small price to pay for reducing the risk of serious injury. Regardless of the law, it’s critical to always wear a helmet approved by the Department of Transportation.
Motorcycle Safety Gear Statistics
Global studies indicate that a majority of motorcyclists wear helmets, but fewer choose to wear additional safety gear to protect themselves. Wearing complete motorcycle leathers is considered the best way to protect riders from harm, but most bikers rarely wear full safety gear.
In a global study conducted by The George Institute for Global Health, they found the following when studying bikers in Australia:
82.5% wore motorcycle jackets.
87.3% wore motorcycle gloves.
34.9% wore motorcycle pants.
38.2% wore motorcycle boots.
45.8% wore foam inserts in their jackets.
In the U.S., no state requires bikers to wear safety gear other than a helmet, leaving the decision up to you. It’s long been a conundrum why motorcyclists don’t wear gear that could save their lives.
For example, Forbes found that most motorcyclists are reluctant to wear high-visibility gear. Reasons ranged from not seeing the value in additional safety gear to not wanting to change how they look.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics by Motorcycle Type
Some motorcycle models are more dangerous than others. The IIHS found that death rates among riders of supersport motorcycles were four times higher than those of cruiser or standard motorcycles. The study also found that the type of model a rider owned often reflected their driving.
Different bike models aren’t inherently more dangerous because all street-legal motorcycles must adhere to strict safety standards. The problem that the above study found was driver behavior. For example, supersport drivers were likelier to have been speeding. However, they found these drivers were less likely to drink and drive and more likely to wear helmets.
Many of the driving factors found in this study of motorcycle type were attributed to age and gender.
Motorcycle Accidents and Alcohol Use Statistics
Alcohol use is a significant risk factor in motorcycle accidents. According to the NHTSA, 1,705 bikers killed in 2022 were over the legal alcohol limit for driving. This can be explained by the fact drinking and driving limits your reaction times, reduces your ability to perceive hazards, and encourages risk-taking.
Forbes reported that 27% of deadly motorcycle crashes involved one or more individuals who were under the influence of alcohol. On the other hand, a National Institutes of Health study discovered that the incidence of patients who got into accidents under the influence of alcohol or drugs was as high as 49.3%.
Motorcycle Accidents by State
Motorcycle accidents vary by state. In terms of pure numbers, the deadliest states for motorcyclists are Florida, California, Texas, Arizona, and Georgia. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, this can be explained by bikes being less stable than four-wheeled vehicles and lacking the protective features that aim to minimize crashes.
The National Safety Council reported the highest number of deaths per state as follows:
Florida – 668
California – 634
Texas – 564
Arizona – 232
Georgia – 221
But what does the NHTSA say when the number of accidents is adjusted for the population? After all, California’s enormous population means that in terms of pure numbers, it has a far higher number of accidents than, say, Michigan.
Here’s the motorcycle accident rate per 100,000 people for the deadliest states:
Florida – 48.1 per 100,000
California – 47.4 per 100,000
Texas – 46.8 per 100,000
Pennsylvania – 44.5 per 100,000
Ohio – 42.4 per 100,000
Each state has its own risk factors. For example, Florida has a massive number of tourists, older riders, and year-round riding weather. California, on the other hand, has a complicated road network and some of the highest traffic volumes in the nation.
Motorcycle Accidents by Location
Motorcycle accidents tend to occur in locations where vehicles are going at higher speeds or when large volumes of traffic come together. According to the IIHS, 66% of all motorcycle deaths occurred in urban areas, with just 34% happening in rural areas.
Road type also plays into your risk. The IIHS also found that 56% of motorcyclist deaths in 2022 occurred on a major road other than an interstate or a freeway. Regarding the exact location of accidents, the NHTSA reported that a third of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes occurred when motorists turned into the bike’s path at intersections.
Some of the reasons why so many accidents happen at intersections include:
Quick decision-making is required.
Challenges in maneuvering.
High volumes of traffic.
Multiple travel directions.
Unfortunately, it’s no secret that drivers aren’t looking for bikers, which is why any intersection in an urban area can prove especially dangerous for motorcyclists.
Many cities are simply unprepared for the challenges faced by bikers today. According to Repairer Driven News, America has 286 million registered vehicles, up two million year-on-year. These higher traffic volumes continue to increase the danger for bikers today.
Motorcycle Accidents by Demographic
Who is most likely to die in a motorcycle accident? If you’re a male driver between the ages of 25 and 29 in an urban area, you have the highest chance of being killed on the roads.
According to the IIHS, riders between 25 and 29 have the highest chance of being involved in a fatal motorcycle accident. In 2020, 706 people in this demographic were killed. Typically, the reasons are attributed to these young drivers lacking experience and being likelier to engage in risk-taking behavior.
The NHTSA found that 92% of motorcycle deaths were men. Of course, it’s essential to mention the disparities in registered motorcycle owners. USA Today reports that only 19% of motorcycle riders were women, which would explain why so many deaths involve male riders. It’s also why the NHTSA discovered that although most male deaths were the driver, 61% of female motorcycle deaths were passengers.
Who is at Fault in Most Motorcycle Accidents?
The driver of another vehicle is most likely to be at fault for a motorcycle accident. Statistics from the NHTSA show that most multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents occur because the driver of another vehicle does not see the bike.
Naturally, every accident is unique, and assumptions can’t be made that it’s always the other driver’s fault. Plenty of bikers also commit traffic violations, drive under the influence, or operate their rigs recklessly.
Determining who was at fault will depend on gathering evidence to prove who was at fault. If you’re wondering how long does a motorcycle accident lawsuit take, the timeline often depends on the strength and availability of this evidence. Examples of evidence that can be used to prove that the other driver was at fault include:
Photos from the scene.
Eyewitness testimonies.
Official police accident reports.
Traffic camera footage.
Dashcam footage.
Expert accident reconstruction.
Collecting evidence is crucial to demonstrating that you were hit by an at-fault driver. Working with a lawyer to build your case and obtain this evidence is critical to winning the justice you deserve.
Should You Hire a Lawyer if You’re Involved in a Motorcycle Accident?
No requirement exists to hire a lawyer to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. However, in all cases, it’s better to hire an attorney to manage your case so that you can get help with the legal process, maximize your compensation, and protect yourself from the underhand tactics used by auto insurance firms.
Here’s what a car accident attorney can do for you:
Provide Help With the Legal Process – The legal process can be complex, but that’s where your personal injury lawyer comes in. They’ll file claims, communicate with insurance companies, and file personal injury lawsuits.
Maximize Your Settlement – According to Nolo, accident victims who hired a lawyer received four times more compensation than those who attempted to fight their claims alone.
Deal With Insurance Companies – Auto insurers do everything in their power to reduce how much they pay accident victims. Your attorney will anticipate these tactics and overcome them.
Meet the Statute of Limitations – Your state will have a statute of limitations that limits when you can file a lawsuit. In places like Illinois and Texas, you only have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim.
Access Expert Witnesses – Lawyers can support your claim by using expert witnesses, such as accident reconstructionists and medical experts, to prove your losses and show that the other driver was to blame.
There’s never a bad reason to file your claim through a lawyer. Moreover, most personal injury lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you don’t have to pay a cent if you don't win your claim.
What are the Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Personal injury lawyers are the undisputed experts in filing claims and winning justice on behalf of their clients. They’ve got the tools to investigate your claim, familiarity with the legal system, and strategies for maximizing your settlement.
Some of the other benefits of hiring a lawyer include:
Objective case value assessment.
Knowledge of negotiating the legal system.
Trial experience.
Tools to properly investigate your claim.
Your best interests at heart.
Working with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer begins by approaching a law firm to assess your case through a free consultation. A legal professional will analyze what happened and provide an objective assessment of whether you have a claim.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics FAQs
What state has the highest death rate for motorcycles?
Florida has the highest death rate for motorcyclists at 48.1 deaths per 100,000 residents. The reason why Florida has such high death rates is because there are more older riders in the Sunshine State, an outsized number of tourists, and significant traffic volumes, with roads like I-95 regularly causing chaos.
What kills most motorcycle riders?
Most fatal motorcycle crashes are caused by other drivers, especially vehicles making left turns at intersections. It may also surprise you to learn that the NHTSA found that 61% of fatal motorcycle accidents are head-on collisions.
Another reason why riders are often killed is due to not wearing the appropriate safety equipment, with fewer than four in ten riders admitting to regularly wearing a helmet when they drive.
What percentage of motorcycle riders crash?
An estimated 1% of all motorcycle riders will crash every year. However, not all of these accidents will result in serious injuries or fatalities. National Safety Council statistics reveal that 15% of all fatal crashes involve motorcycles.
