Motorcycle riding has never been more popular. In the U.S. alone, over 8.6 million motorcycles are registered. But behind the freedom and thrill is a serious risk.

Motorcycle accident statistics show that riders face a much higher chance of being hurt—or killed—than drivers in cars. (https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813306) If you ride, or someone close to you does, you need to understand just how likely motorcycle accidents are, who’s most affected, and what causes them.

Let’s break down the real numbers and what they mean for you.

How Many Motorcycle Accidents Happen Each Year?

Each year, more than 82,000 motorcyclists are injured on U.S. roads, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812979) That number has stayed relatively steady over the past few years.

In 2021 alone, 5,932 motorcyclists were killed in crashes. That’s the highest number of motorcycle fatalities ever recorded in a single year in the U.S.

Motorcycle accidents make up about 14% of all traffic-related fatalities, even though motorcycles account for just 3.5% of all registered vehicles. That’s a massive gap.

So, how common are motorcycle accidents? Too common. And when they happen, they’re often deadly.

What Percentage of Motorcycle Riders Have Accidents?

There’s no exact number of what percentage of all riders have an accident at some point. But here’s what we do know:

Over a 10-year period, that means around 10% of all motorcyclists will have some type of reported crash.
And of those, 80% result in injury or death.

For comparison, only about 20% of passenger vehicle crashes result in injury or death.

If you’re a rider, this means you’re four times more likely to get seriously hurt in a crash than someone in a car.

What Age Do Most Motorcycle Accidents Happen?

You might picture a young, reckless rider weaving through traffic. But that’s not who’s most at risk.

Data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows:

The highest fatality rates are among riders aged 50–59.
Riders in their 40s and 60s also have higher crash rates than younger groups.
Younger riders (20s and 30s) are still involved in many crashes, but they’re often on smaller bikes or scooters.

Why older riders? In part, it’s because many are returning to riding after years away. They may be on larger, faster motorcycles. And their reaction time or physical condition may not be what it once was.

What Is the Main Cause of Most Motorcycle Accidents?

Yes,Let’s be clear: most motorcycle accidents are not the rider’s fault.

The NHTSA and Federal Highway Administration have consistently found that:

Two-thirds of multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents are caused by the other driver.
The most common crash happens when a car turns left in front of a motorcycle at an intersection.

Why? Because the driver didn’t see the motorcycle or misjudged its speed.

Other leading causes include:

Speeding
Alcohol use
Lane splitting (riding between cars, which is legal in some states but dangerous)
Lack of rider training or experience
Poor road conditions

Even when riders do everything right—wear a helmet, follow traffic laws, stay visible—they can still be hit by a careless driver.

How Likely Are You to Die on a Motorcycle?

Here’s where the numbers get even more serious.

According to NHTSA crash data: (https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Safety/Documents/Motorcycles_Traffic_Safety_Facts_2021_Data.pdf)

Per mile traveled, a motorcyclist is 24 times more likely to die in a crash than someone in a car.
In 2021, motorcyclists had a fatality rate of 30.05 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.

That doesn’t mean every ride is a death sentence. But it does mean your risk is significantly higher than in any other type of vehicle.Helmets help—a lot. The CDC (https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/policy/hi5/motorcycleinjury/index.html) estimates helmets reduce the risk of death by 37% and reduce the risk of head injury by 69%. But even with full gear and defensive riding, the risk is never zero.

The Most Dangerous Times and Places for Motorcycle Riders

Urban areas: Over 67% of motorcycle crashes happen in city or suburban settings—not on highways.
Intersections: About 35% of all crashes happen at intersections.
Weekend afternoons and evenings: These are the most dangerous times to ride, especially in the summer.

If you ride, be especially alert in these conditions. You can’t control other drivers, but you can control your response.

Where and when do most motorcycle accidents happen?

If you’re in a crash, your first priority is medical care. Even if you think you’re fine, always get checked out. Some injuries—especially head trauma and internal damage—aren’t obvious right away.

After that, your next step is legal.

Motorcycle accidents involve complex liability issues. Insurance companies often try to blame the rider—even when the facts say otherwise. That’s where having a strong legal team makes a huge difference.

How Lowe Law Group Can Help

At Lowe Law Group, we’ve helped hundreds of injured riders get the compensation they deserve. We understand how devastating a motorcycle crash can be—not just physically, but financially and emotionally.

We take care of the legal process so you can focus on healing. We investigate the accident, handle the insurance companies, and fight for a full recovery—medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Our attorneys have real experience with motorcycle accident claims. We don’t settle for less than all that you deserve. And if your case needs to go to trial, we’re ready.

Contact Lowe Law Group Today

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, don’t wait. The longer you delay, the harder it gets to collect evidence and build your case.

Call Lowe Law Group today for a free consultation. We’ll explain your rights, answer your questions, and help you figure out what to do next.

You don’t pay us unless we win your case.

Let us take the legal burden off your shoulders—so you can get your life back.

Final Thoughts

Riding a motorcycle will always carry more risk than driving a car. The numbers don’t lie. But with the right knowledge, protective gear, and legal support, you can ride smarter—and know you have someone in your corner if something goes wrong.

Motorcycle accidents are common, serious, and often preventable. If you’ve been hurt, Lowe Law Group is here to help. We’ve got your back.