12 Motorcycle Accident Statistics – 2024 Update
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Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
All experienced riders love the feeling of adrenaline. The thrill of letting loose and experiencing the speed and freedom of the road is exhilarating. But for beginners, riding comes with an inherent risk.
For riders, motorcycles are more fun than cars, they give that feeling of freedom, but they can also be very dangerous. When riding motorcycles or driving your car, there’s always a chance that you could be involved in an accident of some kind.
You may know how dangerous motorcycle accidents can be, but the statistics might surprise you.
Click below to jump ahead:
- Fatalities Caused by Motorcycle Accidents
- Motorcycle Helmet vs No Helmet Statistics
- Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents High Risk Regions and Body Parts Affected
The 12 Motorcycle Accident Statistics
- Motorcyclists account for more than 380,000 deaths every year worldwide.
- 91% of all motorcycle accident fatalities around the globe are men.
- Drunk riders caused 33% of all motorcycle-related fatalities worldwide.
- Helmets reduce accident-related death by 37%.
- Also, helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69%.
- Every year, the United States could be saving $1 billion in economic costs if all motorcycle riders wore helmets.
- About ¾ of all motorcycle accidents in the US involve collisions with another vehicle.
- About 56% of all motorcycle accidents worldwide take place on urban roads, and more especially at intersections.
- Most motorcycle accidents around the globe occur at an average speed of 30mph.
- In the US, motorcyclist deaths happen 27 times more than car occupant deaths.
- 30% of non-fatal motorcycle injuries occur to the leg and foot area (lower extremities).
- Mississippi, Texas, and South Carolina have the highest rate of motorcycle deaths in the US.
Fatalities Caused by Motorcycle Accidents
1. Motorcyclists account for more than 380,000 deaths every year worldwide.
(RESEARCH GATE)
Motorcycles are smaller and nimbler than cars, making them a more fun way to get around. But they can be much more dangerous than a car. They have less protection than cars do and require you to be alert at all times.
Annually, more than 380,000 deaths because of motorcycle accidents are reported worldwide.
But they are still the best form of transportation when you think about their speed, agility, and fuel economy.
2. 91% of all motorcycle accident fatalities around the globe are men.
(NHTSA)
Men ride motorcycles more aggressively than women. Besides, male riders are four times more likely than female riders to engage in risky behavior like driving above the speed limit or not wearing protective gear.
Men are also more daring than women, which is the case with motorcycles. They’re also more likely to let their emotions cloud their judgment. These tendencies can be fatal when riding a motorcycle.
(MLF)
Riding a motorcycle is already dangerous enough. You must deal with the wind, sharp turns, and general lack of protection. It makes it a recipe for disaster.
Unfortunately, that danger is made even worse when you ride while drunk. Riding under the influence of alcohol is one major cause of motorcycle accidents.
Motorcycle Helmet Vs. No Helmet Statistics
(STEEL HORSE LAW)
Motorcycle helmets are designed to protect your head in a crash. Tens of thousands of motorcyclists are injured, and others die in motorcycle accidents each year. Many of them are caused by other motorists. When a motorcyclist is not wearing a helmet, the risk for severe injuries or death increases significantly.
By just wearing a helmet, motorcycle drivers can reduce their risk of death by 37%, and passengers reduce their risk by 41%.
5. Also, helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69%.
(CDC)
A motorcycle helmet is a crucial piece of gear that everyone riding a motorcycle should wear. It reduces the likelihood of severe injuries or death if an accident occurs. Riders who don’t wear expose themselves to unnecessary risk.
Motorcycle helmets are made to withstand sharp blows that occur during accidents. Even if the shell of the helmet stays intact, its internal padding compresses on impact, absorbs energy from the blow, and helps prevent skull fracture or brain injury.
6. Every year, the United States could be saving $1 billion in economic costs if all motorcycle riders wore helmets.
(CDC)
The number of people riding motorcycles in the United States has increased in recent years. But unfortunately, the number of motorcycle accidents has also increased. With more accidents come medical costs, loss of lives, and people not being able to go to work due to injuries.
It’s estimated that billions of money could be saved per year if all motorcycle riders wore helmets. Tens of thousands of lives could also be saved by wearing that helmet.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
7. About ¾ of all motorcycle accidents in the US involve collisions with another vehicle.
(HG)
More than half of all fatal motorcycle accidents occur when a vehicle and a motorcycle collide. If you’re driving in traffic, there’s still a chance that you’ll get hit. Every time you ride your bike, you have a higher-than-average chance of getting into an accident with a car or truck.
This is quite devastating given that most crashes are preventable if only every rider and driver could act responsibly when on the road.
8. About 56% of all motorcycle accidents worldwide take place on urban roads, and more especially at intersections.
(MMD ATTORNEY)
Urban roads are quite busy, and the chances of accidents occurring are very high. If you are riding a motorcycle or driving a car, it’s crucial to be aware of the safety risks of urban roads.
Motorcycle accidents are some of the most serious types of traffic accidents. It’s common for a motorcycle accident to result in serious life-altering injuries or even death. That’s why it’s crucial to learn how to navigate intersections and avoid an accident.
9. Most motorcycle accidents around the globe occur at an average speed of 30mph.
(MOTORCYCLE INJURY)
Traveling at high speeds increases the risk of a motorcycle accident. The risk factors involved with speeding are many. For example, the braking distance increases with higher speeds. It means a rider will have less time to react should an incident occur in front of them.
Also, higher speeds mean that even small errors in concentration can have disastrous results. At high speeds, many riders aren’t able to stop in time.
Motorcycle Accidents High Risk Regions and Body Parts Affected
10. In the US, motorcyclist deaths happen 27 times more than car occupant deaths.
(TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS)
Statistics show that motorcyclists stand higher chances of getting into accidents and being badly injured compared to car drivers. It’s due to the lack of safety features on motorcycles. The rider is unprotected, and his/her body acts as the vehicle’s bumper, and so they suffer serious injuries in a crash.
11. The most common injuries motorcycle riders get are to the head and neck.
(RIDE APART)
Motorcycle riders are at great risk when it comes to head and neck injuries. The injuries include brain bruising, broken or fractured necks.
A rider can fall off the bike easily, especially if they are not wearing proper headgear. A proper helmet can protect these areas.
12. Mississippi, Texas, and South Carolina have the highest rate of motorcycle deaths in the US.
(ADVENTURE RIDER)
Mississippi is the most dangerous state in America to ride a motorcycle. The state faces a big problem with drunk driving and speeding. These are both factors in the high rate of motorcyclist deaths here.
Texas and South Carolina also have some of the nation’s worst roads for motorcycles. It’s because they’re more rural and curvy than other states. It’s also more common for people to drive faster on these roads because of the way they’re laid out.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents
What is the most common cause of motorcycle accidents?
Motorcycle riders are at a higher risk for serious injuries in an accident because they lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle.
The most common cause of motorcycle accidents is careless driving. Many drivers fail to notice motorcyclists on the road and do not see them in time to avoid a collision. Most states require all drivers to maintain space between their vehicles and any motorcycles or bicycles on the road.
Tailgating is also a frequent cause of motorcycle accidents. Motorcycles travel much more slowly than other vehicles, so many drivers get frustrated when traffic slows down and tailgate the vehicle in front of them. It can lead to a rear-end collision with a motorcyclist.
Other causes include reckless driving, speeding, and drunk driving.
(WEISS-LEGAL)
How are motorcycle accidents different from car accidents?
Motorcycle riders are more vulnerable to an accident. In a car accident, you have a lot more protection because you’re inside your vehicle. Although cars can be damaged in an accident, they’ll protect you from severe injury.
On the other hand, if you’re thrown off your bike, you won’t have anything between you and the ground unless you’re wearing proper safety gear, such as a helmet.
Another major difference between motorcycle and car accidents is that the injuries sustained by riders involved in motorcycle accidents are more severe than those sustained by car drivers.
The reason for this is that there are fewer safeguards on motorcycles to protect their riders than there are on cars. A motorcycle rider has no seatbelt, airbags, and no other safety features like those found in cars.
(KRAFT LAW)
What are you supposed to do after a motorcycle accident?
If you have been in a motorcycle accident, first seek medical attention if you have serious injuries. The medical professionals will help you create an injury report that you can present to your insurance company later.
Also, you need to call the police to report the accident. You should do this whether or not you think it’s your fault. If you don’t call, you won’t get an official record that you were involved in an accident. It can impact your insurance coverage later on, among other things.
It’s also crucial that there be a record of the time and location of the accident. It’s because if it turns into a civil court case, later on, this information will come up in court.
(SEVENISH LAW)
What is the most severe injury leading to death in a motorcycle accident?
The most common severe injury and cause of death in motorcycle accidents is head injury.
Helmets can reduce the risk of head injury and death, but they can’t prevent them entirely. It’s because the most severe injuries in a motorcycle accident aren’t suffered during the fall itself, but when the rider hits the ground or another hard object.
(CHALIK LAW)
How can an attorney help you deal with insurance in case of a motorcycle accident?
When you get into a motorcycle accident, the first thing you want to do is contact your insurance company and let them handle the details.
But, what if the other driver doesn’t have insurance? Or worse, what if they’re under-insured? In these cases, it’s good to have an attorney by your side to ensure that your rights are protected.
Insurance companies will have their policies and procedures when dealing with motorcyclists after an accident occurs. So, you must understand these procedures as you seek help.
(AHC INJURY LAW)
Who is to blame for motorcycle accidents?
Most motorcycle accidents occur when a car, truck, or SUV hits a bike. The biggest factor leading to these crashes is drivers failing to see motorcyclists as they’re passing or turning. Drivers in cars can’t always see smaller two-wheelers behind them or to the side of them.
In many cases, they don’t watch out for motorcyclists who might be changing lanes or turning. Motorcycles present smaller targets. So, sometimes, drivers don’t even realize they’ve hit one, especially if the rider ends up on the ground.
Also, some motorcyclists don’t follow the rules of the road. Many riders make mistakes when it comes to traffic signals, lane markings, and other signs that help keep everyone safe on the road.
Motorcyclists must follow all traffic laws if they want to avoid getting into an accident.
(THE LAW PLACE)
What should you do to safeguard your claim after a motorcycle accident?
If you get in an accident, speak with an attorney who specializes in motorcycle accident claims to advise you on the specifics of your situation. They’ll help you understand how best to proceed when filing any insurance claims or lawsuits that you may need to file.
Also, if it becomes necessary for you to litigate against another party, an attorney files all necessary documents on your behalf. This way, there are no delays or problems associated with getting your case before a judge or jury as quickly as possible.
(FOSTER WALLACE)
Ways of Preventing Motorcycle Accidents
There are many ways of preventing accidents. Knowing the risks and having a plan before anything happens can help prevent accidents from happening.
First, make sure you have the right gear before you get on your bike. A helmet can protect you from serious injuries or even death in case of an accident.
Always wear your helmet when driving or riding your bike. It’ll protect you in case of an accident. Another tip is to be visible and safe on the road. Use reflective tape at night. This way, car drivers can see you easily.
Another thing to do is be aware of other drivers around you, especially when traveling at high speed. Some drivers might not be paying attention, and they can cut off your lane or swerve in front of you unexpectedly.
Most importantly, make sure your bike is in good condition.
(OAL LAW)
Conclusion
It’s crucial to understand the risks you face when you strap on a helmet and mount on a motorcycle.
As you can see, motorcycle accidents are more likely to lead to death or severe injury than other types of motor vehicle accidents. Now that you have the cold hard statistics, we hope you’ll take them and use them to your advantage.
Protect yourself by purchasing good income insurance and always wear quality gear and clothing. As always, we wish you a happy accident-free riding experience.
Featured Image Credit: Godlikeart, Shutterstock
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