Important 2021 Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Dec 16, 2021

Important 2021 Motorcycle Accident Statistics

• Motorcycle Accident Statistics
• Motorcycle Accident Death/Fatality Statistics
• Motorcycle Accident Injury Statistics
• How Do Car Accidents Compare to Motorcycle Accidents?
• Where and When Do Motorcycle Accidents Most Commonly Occur?
• Common Motorcycle Accident Types/Scenarios

Motorcycle popularity has increased exponentially in the U.S. over the past several years. As the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) notes, the number of on-road motorcycles registered in the country has been steadily rising. In fact, the overall figure doubled from 4.2 million in 2002 to 8.3 million in 2018, according to the IIHS’s data.

For motorcycle enthusiasts, traffic safety is paramount. The Insurance Information Institute (III) confirms that in 2019, motorcyclists were nearly 29 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash (per vehicle miles traveled).

Let’s look at some important motorcycle accident statistics – both for the U.S. as well as California. We’ll also discuss how to file a civil claim if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

The following statistics have been provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and revised as of September 2021:

• In 2019 there were 5,014 motorcyclists killed in the U.S., which accounted for 14% of overall traffic fatalities.
• 30% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2019 were riding without valid motorcycle licenses.
• In 2019, motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes had higher percentages of alcohol impairment than drivers of any other motor vehicle type (29% for motorcycles, 20% for passenger cars, 19% for light trucks, and 2% for large trucks).
• 42% of motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2019 were alcohol-impaired.
• Motorcycle riders killed in traffic crashes at night were almost three times more frequently alcohol-impaired than those killed during the day in 2019.
• In states without universal helmet laws, 57% of motorcyclists killed in 2019 were not wearing helmets (compared to 9% in states mandating universal helmet laws).

Motorcycle Accident Death/Fatality Statistics

The following statistics were confirmed by the NHTSA based on data provided through the U.S. Fatality Analysis Reporting system (FARS):

• 5,014 motorcyclists were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2019 (slightly lower than the 5,038 motorcyclists killed in 2018).
• Two-wheeled motorcycles accounted for 91% of all bikes involved in fatal crashes.
• Motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities and 17% of all occupant fatalities (including both driver and passenger).
• Of the 5,014 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes, 94% (4,733) were riders and 6% (281) were passengers.
• From 2010 to 2019, motorcycle fatalities increased 11%, peaking in 2016.

Motorcycle Accident Injury Statistics

• According to the NHTSA and FARS, an estimated 84,000 motorcyclists were injured in 2019 (representing a 2% increase from 82,000 motorcyclists injured in 2018).
• Between 2010 and 2019, annual motorcycle accident injuries peaked at 104,000 in 2016.
• Yearly motorcycle accident injuries have decreased slightly since 2016’s peak, with 89,000 occurring in 2017, 82,000 in 2018, and 84,000 in 2019.

How Do Car Accidents Compare to Motorcycle Accidents?

In the U.S., motorcycles represented 3% of all registered vehicles in 2019, accounting for just 0.6% of all vehicle miles traveled. But the fatality rate for motorcyclists, per the NHTSA, was 58.33 – more than six times the fatality rate for passenger car occupants (9.42) and almost nine times the fatality rate for light-truck occupants.

But the injury rate for motorcyclists (975) was actually lower than the injury rate for passenger car occupants (1,152) in 2019. However, the motorcycle injury rate that year was in fact higher than the injury rate of light-truck occupants (648).

In terms of vehicle miles traveled – an important safety indicator – the fatality rate for motorcyclists (25.47) was 29 times more than the passenger car occupant fatality rate (0.89) and nearly 40 times the light-truck occupant fatality rate (0.64). Although the overall injury rate for motorcyclists was lower than passenger cars in 2019, when viewing that statistic per vehicle miles traveled the following was found:

• The motorcyclist injury rate (426) was almost four times higher than the injury rate of passenger car occupants (109).
• The motorcyclist injury rate (426) was nearly seven times higher than the injury rate of light-truck occupants (61).

Where and When Do Motorcycle Accidents Most Commonly Occur?

The NHTSA has provided the following statistics regarding the specific environments where motorcycle crash fatalities often occur, as well as the conditions that impact motorcycle accidents:

• 61% of the motorcycle fatalities occurred in urban areas compared to 39% in rural areas.
• 66% of motorcycle accidents occurred at locations that were not intersections (compared to 34% at intersections).
• 97% of motorcycle accidents occurred in clear/cloudy conditions compared to 2% in rain conditions and 1% in snow/sleet, fog, or other conditions.
• 57% of motorcycle accidents occurred during daylight compared to 38% in the dark, 4% during dusk, and 1% during dawn.
• 91% of motorcycle accidents occurred on non-interstate roads compared to 9% on interstates.

The NHTSA offered the following chart (*data provided by FARS):

If you experienced a motorcycle accident injury, don’t wait to file a claim. Contact our expert attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.