Quick Summary: Motorcycle Accident Statistics
- Depending on the state, motorcycle injury claims must be reported before the state’s filing deadline.
- Liability depends on different factors and whether either party violated traffic laws.
- Motorcycle accident claims typically seek compensation for both financial losses and personal hardship.
- Taking early action and clear documentation can help support a claim.
In 2023, federal crash data recorded the highest number of motorcyclists killed since 1975 in the United States. Motorcyclists accounted for 15% of all traffic casualties that year. This is despite the fact that there were only about 3% registered motorcycle vehicles in 2021.
Some people read about motorcycle safety before they ever ride, while others find this information after a crash while they or their family are dealing with hospital bills and calls from an insurance adjuster. This guide explains what can cause a motorcycle crash. It also covers common injuries and what to do after an accident.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
NHTSA recorded 6,335 motorcyclist fatalities in 2023. This number made up 15% of all traffic deaths. The agency also estimated 82,564 motorcyclists were injured that year. Motorcyclists had a fatality rate 28 times higher than that of passenger car occupants. This was per 100 million miles traveled according to NHTSA’s motorcycle safety data.
More people were affected by injuries than by fatalities. There is a chance that the person who has a motorcycle accident injury may need months of rehabilitation after surgery. Sadly, this affects the quality of life of the motorcyclist. As a result, it takes time away from work. In some cases, riders may struggle with pain and other effects long after the accident.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes
Accidents can happen in an instant. Accidents leave devastating effects. Understanding the common causes of motorcycle crashes can help people see what leads to accidents. Many motorcycle accidents happen when vehicles suddenly turn, when vehicles change lanes at the same time, when vehicles face road hazards, when vehicles speed, or when drivers drive impaired.
Left-Turn and Intersection Collisions
Out of 3,419 crashes involving a motorcycle and another vehicle in 2023. There are around 46% accidents that have happened when the other driver turned left in front of a rider who was going straight or was passing. Intersections were involved in 37% of the rider deaths. In these cases who is at fault usually depends on who had the right of way and where the crash happened.
Lane-Change and Blind-Spot Incidents
A motorcycle takes up a fraction of a lane and can be difficult for drivers to see in blind spots or through areas blocked by vehicle pillars and mirrors. Sideswipes can occur when a driver fails to check before merging. Lane-splitting laws vary by state.
Single-Vehicle Crashes and Road Hazards
It was recorded that 24% of motorcycles in fatal crashes during 2023 struck a fixed object, a higher share than any other vehicle type. Gravel, potholes, and debris unsettle two wheels in ways that barely register inside a car, which is where defensive riding habits earn their keep.
Speeding and Impaired Driving
In 2023, it was documented that 36% of riders in fatal crashes were speeding, compared with 22% of passenger car drivers. Alcohol impairment appeared among 26% of riders killed, rising to 41% among those who died in single-vehicle crashes.
Risk Factors Behind the Motorcycle Safety Statistics
Crash data also shows that there are certain conditions that may increase the chance of a crash. When you start looking at motorcycle accident statistics, common causes and risk factors together, these can help explain what riders and drivers may be able to control.
- Helmet use. In States without universal helmet laws, based on known helmet use, 51% of motorcyclists killed in 2023 were not wearing helmets, as compared to 10% in States with universal helmet laws. NHTSA’s Traffic Safety Facts sheet on motorcycles reports these rates by state.Â
- Time of day and week. Hours on weekends accounted for 47% of rider deaths in 2023; this is even though weekends only make up fewer days of the week. Riders killed after dark were about two and a half times as likely to be impaired as riders killed during daylight.
- Rider experience and licensing. A record of 34% of riders in fatal crashes held no valid motorcycle license, compared with 15% of passenger vehicle drivers. Fatalities among riders aged 15 to 20 rose 44% in one year.
- Motorcycle size and type. Riders on motorcycles with engines between 501 and 1,000 cubic centimeters made up 36% of 2023 fatalities, making this the largest single group. However, federal analysts caution that engine size alone has not been shown to explain the difference.
What These Injuries Look Like For Motorcycle Riders
Looking at what statistics say, we can only see these motorcycle injuries as numbers on a page. But for a rider? These effects can be a burden that’s hard to deal with. The aftercare needed, like cleaning, surgery, or the long months of wound care from these road rash injuries, can be hard to imagine. Worse is a traumatic brain injury, which can negatively impact memory and movement and eventually affect one’s occupation for years.
These lasting effects can matter in a legal claim. The long term costs of a motorcycle accident injury may affect what a claim needs to cover. The CDC’s motorcycle safety reminds that these motorcycle crash injuries and deaths are preventable.
Early Decisions That Shape a Claim
The days after a crash quietly set the evidentiary record. Photographs, witness contact details, the police report number, and consistent medical documentation grow harder to recreate later, so a walkthrough of motorcycle accident next steps helps during that first week.
A few early habits work against riders without anyone noticing. Recorded statements to the other driver’s insurer, long gaps between appointments, social posts about the crash, and offers accepted before the injury picture is clear all weaken a claim.
Fault, Insurance, and the Value of a Claim
Once the medical picture stabilizes, attention turns to who pays. Personal injury law here is state law, so the principles below vary in ways that affect outcomes.
How States Divide Responsibility
There are some states that follow pure comparative negligence, while others use a modified version that bars recovery past a set threshold. There are also a few that still apply contributory negligence. Where comparative fault applies, a partly responsible rider may get less money based on their share of the fault.
How Carriers Evaluate a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Adjusters review several parts of a claim before they decide how much it may be worth. Medical records, lost wages, and prior injuries will be checked.
The insurance claim process will usually start with a demand package. It then moves into settlement negotiation, where the insurer and injured rider discuss payment. Notably, most claims are resolved without going to court.
When a Crash Needs Reconstruction
When the drivers involved give different accounts of what happened, collision reconstruction may help show what occurred. An analyst will use skid marks, vehicle damage, and available vehicle data to piece together the sequence of events. This will then help challenge claims that the rider was speeding or caused the crash.
When to Consider Legal Help
Not every crash requires a lawyer. There are minor crashes with little property damage that can be easier to just handle on your own. But when fault is disputed, there are serious injuries, multiple vehicles are involved, or when an insurer stops responding, it is wise to consider legal help.
A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you review the claim and explain your possible options. Typically, they will handle the communications with insurance adjusters. They will also be the ones gathering your medical records, documenting your losses due to the accident, and building the claim based on the evidence available. All this while you start focusing on your recovery.
Take note that deadlines vary by state, so you’d better check the applicable statute of limitations first.
Motorcycle Accident FAQ
What happens after a crash? This is just one of the many questions people ask when they read about motorcycle accident statistics, common causes, and risk factors. The answers can vary because personal injury laws differ by state.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim after a crash?
Every state sets its own statute of limitations for personal injury claims, and the window shortens considerably when a government entity is involved. Evidence fades too, so the practical deadline arrives well before the legal one.
What happens to my claim if I was partially at fault for the motorcycle accident?
That depends on the negligence system your state follows. Most comparative approaches let a rider who shares responsibility recover a reduced amount, while a few jurisdictions bar recovery entirely if the rider carries any blame [VERIFY: confirm applicable state law].
What types of compensation can motorcycle accident victims typically pursue?
Claims generally cover economic losses such as medical expenses, lost income, and property damage, along with non-economic losses such as pain and diminished enjoyment of daily life. Punitive damages exist in some states for reckless conduct, though courts award them infrequently.
Ask Legal Guidance From a Motorcycle Accident Law Firm About Your Crash
Motorcycle accident claims can involve questions about fault, insurance coverage, medical records, and the evidence needed to understand what happened. Reviewing these details can help clarify where your claim stands and what legal options may be available.
Our legal team at Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law, serving injured riders, can discuss the circumstances of your motorcycle accident, explain the legal and insurance considerations that may apply, and review the options available based on your situation.
Call (559) 878-4958 to schedule a consultation and talk with our team about your claim.
