{"title":"Motorcycle Accident Statistics","url":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents","publisher":"FindMyAccidentLawyer","license":"CC BY 4.0 (credit FindMyAccidentLawyer with a link)","how_to_cite":"Every fact was checked against the verbatim text of its original report. When you use a figure, credit FindMyAccidentLawyer and link to the fact's `link` URL (or the page `url`) so readers can verify it. Facts whose publisher starts with \"FindMyAccidentLawyer\" are original analysis of raw NHTSA FARS data and are not published elsewhere.","updated":"2026-10-19","count":25,"facts":[{"id":"moto-deaths-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Totals","stat":"6,228 motorcyclists were killed in U.S. motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2024, a 2.2 percent decrease from 6,366 in 2023.","value":6228,"unit":"deaths","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","notes":"Motorcyclists exclude people on motorized bicycles.","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-deaths-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-deaths-2024)"},{"id":"moto-deaths-share-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Totals","stat":"Motorcyclists made up 16 percent of all U.S. traffic fatalities in 2024.","value":16,"unit":"percent","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-deaths-share-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-deaths-share-2024)"},{"id":"moto-deaths-share-occupant-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Totals","stat":"Motorcyclists made up 20 percent of all motor vehicle occupant fatalities in the U.S. in 2024.","value":20,"unit":"percent","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-deaths-share-occupant-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-deaths-share-occupant-2024)"},{"id":"moto-riders-passengers-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Who is killed","stat":"Of the 6,228 motorcyclists killed in U.S. traffic crashes in 2024, 5,950 were riders and 278 were passengers.","value":5950,"unit":"deaths","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","notes":"Value is rider deaths.","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-riders-passengers-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-riders-passengers-2024)"},{"id":"moto-injured-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Totals","stat":"An estimated 86,887 motorcyclists were injured in U.S. traffic crashes in 2024.","value":86887,"unit":"injuries","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","notes":"Estimate from CRSS.","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-injured-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-injured-2024)"},{"id":"moto-fatality-rate-vmt-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Risk","stat":"Per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2024, the motorcyclist fatality rate (28.00) was almost 27 times the passenger car occupant fatality rate (1.05).","value":28,"unit":"per 100M VMT","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","notes":"Table 2. Passenger car occupant rate is 1.05; light-truck occupant rate is 0.63.","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-fatality-rate-vmt-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-fatality-rate-vmt-2024)"},{"id":"moto-vs-lighttruck-vmt-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Risk","stat":"Per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2024, the motorcyclist fatality rate was over 44 times the fatality rate for light-truck occupants (0.63).","value":44,"unit":"times","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","notes":"Value 44 is NHTSA's 'over 44 times'.","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-vs-lighttruck-vmt-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-vs-lighttruck-vmt-2024)"},{"id":"moto-share-vmt-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Risk","stat":"Motorcycles made up 3 percent of registered vehicles in the U.S. in 2024 but accounted for only 0.7 percent of vehicle miles traveled.","value":0.7,"unit":"percent","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","notes":"Value is the VMT share.","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-share-vmt-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-share-vmt-2024)"},{"id":"moto-not-helmeted-no-universal-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Helmets","stat":"In states without universal helmet laws, 48 percent of motorcyclists killed in 2024 were not wearing helmets, compared with 11 percent in states with universal helmet laws.","value":48,"unit":"percent","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","notes":"Based on known helmet use. Value is the non-universal-law-state figure; universal-law figure is 11.","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-not-helmeted-no-universal-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-not-helmeted-no-universal-2024)"},{"id":"moto-not-helmeted-national-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Helmets","stat":"Nationwide, 34 percent of motorcyclists killed in U.S. traffic crashes in 2024 were not helmeted, based on known helmet use.","value":34,"unit":"percent","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-not-helmeted-national-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-not-helmeted-national-2024)"},{"id":"moto-helmet-use-nopus-2023","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Helmets","stat":"Observed use of DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets was 73.8 percent in 2023, the highest in the NHTSA survey, though not statistically different from 66.5 percent in 2022.","value":73.8,"unit":"percent","year":2023,"geo":"US","source_title":"Research Note: Motorcycle Helmet Use in 2023 - Overall Results (DOT HS 813 634)","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2024-09","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813634","notes":"NOPUS observed use. Latest NOPUS motorcycle helmet note found (2024 note not found). The 2024 Traffic Safety Facts sheet also cites 73.8 percent as 2023, 'last data available'.","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-helmet-use-nopus-2023","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Research Note: Motorcycle Helmet Use in 2023 - Overall Results (DOT HS 813 634) (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-helmet-use-nopus-2023)"},{"id":"moto-helmet-use-by-law-2023","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Helmets","stat":"DOT-compliant motorcycle helmet use in 2023 was 82.7 percent in states requiring all riders to wear helmets and 65.9 percent in other states.","value":82.7,"unit":"percent","year":2023,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","notes":"Value is universal-law states; other states 65.9. Quote contains a line-break artifact ('DOT- compliant').","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-helmet-use-by-law-2023","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-helmet-use-by-law-2023)"},{"id":"moto-alcohol-riders-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Alcohol","stat":"In 2024, 1,529 motorcycle riders killed in U.S. traffic crashes (26 percent) were alcohol-impaired, with a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher.","value":1529,"unit":"deaths","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-alcohol-riders-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-alcohol-riders-2024)"},{"id":"moto-alcohol-single-vehicle-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Alcohol","stat":"Forty percent of motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2024 were alcohol-impaired.","value":40,"unit":"percent","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","notes":"Table 6.","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-alcohol-single-vehicle-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-alcohol-single-vehicle-2024)"},{"id":"moto-speeding-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Speeding","stat":"Thirty-seven percent of motorcycle riders in fatal crashes in 2024 were speeding, compared with 22 percent of passenger car drivers.","value":37,"unit":"percent","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-speeding-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-speeding-2024)"},{"id":"moto-unlicensed-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Licensing","stat":"Thirty-five percent of motorcycle riders in fatal crashes in 2024 did not have a valid motorcycle license.","value":35,"unit":"percent","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-unlicensed-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-unlicensed-2024)"},{"id":"moto-avg-age-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Who is killed","stat":"The average age of motorcycle riders killed in U.S. traffic crashes was 40 in 2024.","value":40,"unit":"years","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-avg-age-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-avg-age-2024)"},{"id":"moto-collision-vehicle-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Crash types","stat":"NHTSA reports that in 2024, collisions with motor vehicles in transport were the most harmful event for 3,790 motorcycles in fatal crashes in the U.S., 60 percent of the total.","value":3790,"unit":"motorcycles","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","notes":"The fact sheet gives the denominator as 6,366 motorcycles in fatal crashes, which equals its 2023 motorcyclist death count (6,366); it could not be confirmed against another table, so the denominator is not stated in the sentence. Only 3,790 and 60 percent are used.","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-collision-vehicle-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-collision-vehicle-2024)"},{"id":"moto-left-turn-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Crash types","stat":"In 45 percent (1,532) of the 3,396 two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a motorcycle in 2024, the other vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing or overtaking.","value":1532,"unit":"crashes","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","notes":"Base is 3,396 two-vehicle fatal crashes each involving a motorcycle and another vehicle type.","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-left-turn-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-left-turn-2024)"},{"id":"moto-urban-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Where","stat":"Sixty-six percent of motorcyclist deaths in 2024 occurred in urban areas and 34 percent in rural areas.","value":66,"unit":"percent","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles","publisher":"NHTSA","published":"2026-07","url":"https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813824","notes":"Based on known values.","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-urban-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-urban-2024)"},{"id":"moto-iihs-helmet-lives-lost","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Helmets","stat":"IIHS estimates over 22,000 motorcyclists died in crashes during 1976-2022 as a result of lower helmet use in states without universal helmet laws.","value":22000,"unit":"deaths","year":2022,"geo":"US","source_title":"Motorcyclists (IIHS topic page)","publisher":"IIHS","published":"2026-08","url":"https://www.iihs.org/topics/motorcycles","notes":"IIHS wording is 'over 22,000'; period 1976-2022. Value is a floor.","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-iihs-helmet-lives-lost","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing IIHS, Motorcyclists (IIHS topic page) (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-iihs-helmet-lives-lost)"},{"id":"moto-iihs-deaths-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Trends","stat":"IIHS reports 6,228 motorcyclists were killed in crashes in 2024, about triple the number in 1997 and 23 percent higher than in 2019.","value":6228,"unit":"deaths","year":2024,"geo":"US","source_title":"Motorcyclists (IIHS topic page)","publisher":"IIHS","published":"2026-08","url":"https://www.iihs.org/topics/motorcycles","notes":"Same count as NHTSA.","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-iihs-deaths-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing IIHS, Motorcyclists (IIHS topic page) (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-iihs-deaths-2024)"},{"id":"moto-iihs-helmet-law-states","topic":"motorcycle","section":"Helmets","stat":"As of August 2026, 17 states and the District of Columbia have universal motorcycle helmet laws, and three states (Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire) have no helmet requirement, according to IIHS.","value":17,"unit":"states","year":2026,"geo":"US","source_title":"Motorcyclists (IIHS topic page)","publisher":"IIHS","published":"2026-08","url":"https://www.iihs.org/topics/motorcycles","notes":"Page updated August 2026; year field is the law status as of that update.","link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-iihs-helmet-law-states","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer, citing IIHS, Motorcyclists (IIHS topic page) (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#moto-iihs-helmet-law-states)"},{"geo":"US","published":"","notes":"FARS 2024 Annual Report File. ","id":"motorcycle-top-states-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"By state","stat":"Florida had the most motorcyclist deaths of any state in 2024 (642), followed by Texas (582) and California (522).","value":642,"unit":"deaths","year":2024,"source_title":"FMAL analysis of NHTSA FARS 2022-2024 data files and Census population estimates","publisher":"FindMyAccidentLawyer (NHTSA FARS data)","url":"https://www.nhtsa.gov/research-data/fatality-analysis-reporting-system-fars","computed":true,"link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#motorcycle-top-states-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer analysis of NHTSA FARS data (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#motorcycle-top-states-2024)"},{"geo":"US","published":"","notes":"FARS 2024 Annual Report File counts divided by Census Vintage 2024 state population.","id":"motorcycle-top-rate-state-2024","topic":"motorcycle","section":"By state","stat":"Per person, Wyoming had the highest rate of motorcyclist deaths among the 50 states in 2024, at 4.08 per 100,000 people.","value":4.08,"unit":"per 100k","year":2024,"source_title":"FMAL analysis of NHTSA FARS 2022-2024 data files and Census population estimates","publisher":"FindMyAccidentLawyer (NHTSA FARS data)","url":"https://www.nhtsa.gov/research-data/fatality-analysis-reporting-system-fars","computed":true,"link":"https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#motorcycle-top-rate-state-2024","cite_as":"FindMyAccidentLawyer analysis of NHTSA FARS data (https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/motorcycle-accidents#motorcycle-top-rate-state-2024)"}]}