Motorcycle Accidents Statistics: How many motorcycle deaths in 2023?

Jan 25, 2021

Whether you are going on a road trip or you are just taking a short joy ride, a motorcycle can be a lot of fun. However, sometimes it can be unsafe. This article will delve into the top motorcycle statistics, including the number of accidents, deaths per year, where the most accidents occur, and a comparison between car and motorcycle fatality rates. Each of the sections within this article is listed below for easy navigation.

Article Contents

Motorcycle Accident Statistics: What percentage of motorcycle riders crash?

Motorcycle Deaths per Year: How many motorcycle deaths in 2022?

Motorcycle Accident Statistics by State: Where do most motorcycle accidents occur?

Motorcycle vs. Car Accident Statistics: How much more likely are you to die on a motorcycle than a car?

Statistics (Editors Picks)

Riding a motorcycle can be a liberating and freeing experience. The wind in one's face and being able to zip in between cars is a tantalizing lifestyle for some. However, it does come with its risks. For example, 80% of all motorcycle crashes result in injury or death, as opposed to 20% of all car accidents.

Motorcycle Accidents Infographic

Infographic Credit: Motorcycle Secure

Must-Know Motorcycle Accident Statistics

In 2017 alone, there were 89,000 motorcycle accident injuries.
45% of motorcycle accidents result in more than a minor injury.
There were 4,985 motorcycle deaths in 2018.
4.24% of all motorcycle accidents are fatal.
In Nevada, motorcycle accidents account for 22.6% of all motor vehicle deaths - the highest state in the US.
There are 8.3 million registered motorcycles in the United States.
If you are in a crash, you are 27 times more likely to die on a motorcycle than in a car.
Motorcycles account for only 3% of registered vehicles (the remainder almost wholly are cars), yet they make up 14% of traffic-related fatalities each year.
80% of all motorcycle crashes result in injury or death, as opposed to 20% of all passenger car accidents.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

What Percentage of Motorcycle Riders Crash?

Photo Credit: Gijs Coolen on Unsplash

45% of motorcycle accidents result in more than a minor injury.

While riding a motorcycle can be a fun and exhilarating experience, one still has to be cautious of one's surroundings. There were 89,000 motorcycle accidents in 2017 alone. Of those accidents, 45% of them resulted in more than a minor injury. Which makes sense, as there is not much protecting the motorcyclist from the impact. Wearing a helmet is key to safety while on a motorcycle. Helmets alone saved the lives of 1,872 motorcycle riders.

Key Statistics:

In 2017 alone, there were 89,000 motorcycle accident injuries.
45% of motorcycle accidents result in more than a minor injury.
Over 1% of all individuals with a registered motorcycle report injuries each year. These are only reported injuries and do not include deaths.
1,872 motorcyclists' lives were saved by wearing helmets.
Roughly half of all motorcycle accidents were caused by speeding or alcohol usage.

Sources:
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-motorcycle-crashes
https://carsurance.net/blog/motorcycle-accidents/

Motorcycle Deaths Per Year

How Many Motorcycle Deaths in 2022?

Photo Credit: Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

There were 4,985 motorcycle deaths in 2018.

Motorcycle deaths are the most over-represented traffic fatality. Motor accidents accounted for 14% of all traffic-related accidents. In 2018, 4,985 motorcycle deaths were reported. This makes 4.24% of all motorcycle accidents ended in a fatality. This is one of the reasons why motorcycle helmets are always stressed. 749 people died a preventable death by not wearing a helmet or protective gear.

Key Statistics:

There were 4985 motorcycle deaths in 2018.
4.24% of all motorcycle accidents are fatal.
80% of motorcycle accidents result in injury or death.
In 2017, there were 59.34 fatalities per 100,000 registered motorcycles, resulting in a fatality rate of 0.06%.
749 motorcyclists' lives could have been saved if they wore a helmet.
Motorcycle deaths account for 14% of all traffic-related fatalities.

Sources:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycle-safety
https://carsurance.net/blog/motorcycle-accidents/
https://one.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/motorcycle03/index.htm
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-motorcycle-crashes

Motorcycle Statistics by State

Where do most motorcycle accidents occur?

Photo Credit: Artur Tumasjan on Unsplash

Texas has the most motorcycle accidents out of any state in the US.

Ever wonder how many people are registered to ride a motorcycle in the US? Well, there are 8.3 million registered motorcycles in the US. California and Florida have the highest amount of registered motorcycles in the US. Though they have the highest registered motorcycles in the US, Texas has the highest amount of motorcycle accidents in the US. Conversely, Nevada has the highest amount of motorcycle fatalities accounting for 22.6% of motor vehicle deaths. Finally, Alaska had the lowest amount of accidents, with 7.1% of all motor vehicle deaths.

Key Statistics:

Texas has the most motorcycle accidents out of any state in the US.
In Nevada, motorcycle accidents account for 22.6% of all motor vehicle deaths - the highest of any state in the US.
In Alaska, motorcycle accidents account for 7.1% of all motor vehicle deaths - the lowest of any state in the US.
There are 8.3 million registered motorcycles in the United States.
California and Florida have the highest amount of registered motorcycles.

Sources:
https://firstcoastaccidentlawyers.com/what-state-has-the-most-motorcycle-accidents/
https://carsurance.net/blog/motorcycle-accidents/
https://www.iihs.org/api/datastoredocument/bibliography/2181

Motorcycle vs Car Accident Statistics

How much more likely are you to die on a motorcycle than a car?

Photo Credit: Jan Starek on Unsplash

80% of all motorcycle crashes result in injury or death, as opposed to 20% of all passenger car accidents.

Motorcycles will always be associated with cool, independent, thrill-seeking individuals. That is part of the reason motorcycles have their alluring charm. However, as cool and distinct a person may look riding a motorcycle, it still comes with its danger. As mentioned before, one is 27 more times more likely to die in a motorcycle crash than a car crash. Though motorcycles account for 3% of registered vehicles, they account for 14% of traffic-related fatalities. 34% of motorcycle accidents did not involve another vehicle. Data shows that 80% of all motorcycle crashes result in injury or death, compared to just 20% of car passengers involved in a car accident.

Key Statistics:

If you are in a crash, you are 27 times more likely to die on a motorcycle than in a car.
Motorcycles account for only 3% of registered vehicles (the remainder almost wholly are cars), yet they make up 14% of traffic-related fatalities each year.
34% of motorcycle accidents do not involve any other vehicle, yet only 14% of car crashes are single-vehicle crashes.
80% of all motorcycle crashes result in injury or death, as opposed to 20% of all passenger car accidents.
There were 25.03 fatalities per 100 million miles of travel on a motorcycle, while there were only .80 fatalities per 100 million miles of passenger car travel.

Sources:
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-motorcycle-crashes
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812785#
https://one.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/motorcycle03/index.htm
https://carsurance.net/blog/motorcycle-accidents/

Conclusion

Riding a motorcycle has its drawbacks in comparison to driving a car. Having the freedom to ride while being exposed to the elements puts one at a higher risk of injury. 80% of all motorcycle injuries resulted in death as opposed to 20% or car injuries. Also, roughly half of all motorcycle accidents were caused by speeding or alcohol usage. Riding with a helmet, proper motorcycle gear, and being cautious of one's surroundings are the best ways to enjoy the motorcycle ride and be safe while doing so.

Sources:
Cover Photo Credit: Duncan Adler on Unsplash
Infographic Credit: Motorcycle Secure

https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-motorcycle-crashes
https://carsurance.net/blog/motorcycle-accidents/
https://www.motorcyclesecure.com/what-percentage-of-motorcycle-riders-get-into-accidents/
https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycle-safety
https://carsurance.net/blog/motorcycle-accidents/
https://one.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/motorcycle03/index.htm
https://firstcoastaccidentlawyers.com/what-state-has-the-most-motorcycle-accidents/
https://quotewizard.com/news/posts/dangerous-states-for-motorcycles
https://www.ghsa.org/sites/default/files/2018-05/ghsa_motorcyclists18.pdf
https://www.perecman.com/blog/2014/april/how-likely-are-you-to-get-in-a-motorcycle-accide/