Motorcycle accidents occur in every state, and they often result in serious injuries and fatalities. Here are some motorcycle accident statistics from the National Highway Traffic Administration to help you understand the risks and consequences of these accidents.

Basics

In 2013, 8,404,687 motorcycles were registered across the United States. They traveled an estimated 20,366 miles during the year.

Injuries

Accidents during 2013 resulted in around 88,000 injuries for riders and passengers. The injury rate for the year was 1,052 for every 100,000 registered vehicles. Injuries from motorcycle accidents decreased by 5 percent from 2012 to 2013.

Deaths

• During 2012, motorcycle accidents led to 4,668 deaths.
• The death rate for the year was 55.54 per 100,000 registered vehicles.
• Deaths from motorcycle accidents decreased by 6 percent from 2012 to 2013.
• The primary cause of death was serious head injury.
• Deaths are most common in the summer months but occur all year round.
• Nearly 60 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes involved another vehicle.

Accident Characteristics

• The NHTSA reports that motorcycle accidents were most common among riders under 30 and over 40 years of age.
• More than 50 percent of motorcycle accidents in 2013 occurred on a weekend.
• 25 percent of motorcycle riders involved in fatal accidents didn't have a valid license.
• 27 percent of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were intoxicated at the time of the crash.
• Helmets are only 37 percent effective at preventing deaths for riders and 41 percent effective at preventing deaths for passengers.

Statewide Statistics

In 2013, 29 people in the state of Utah died in motorcycle crashes. 61 percent of those who died were not wearing a helmet, and 24 percent of those who died had alcohol in their systems at the time of the crash.

Understanding the Statistics

Based on the statistics above, it is clear that there are steps motorcycle riders can take to reduce their chances of an accident and/or lower the risk of death. For example, motorcycle riders who never ride while drinking and always wear a helmet are less likely to be seriously injured or killed in an accident. Nonetheless, motorcycle riders are not always responsible for crashes when they occur.

In motorcycle crashes involving multiple vehicles, the drivers of the other vehicles were often the cause of the accident. They may not have been paying enough attention to their driving, they may have overlooked the motorcycle or they may not have respected the motorcycle rider's rights on the road. Regardless of the reason, motorcycle riders who were injured in these situations may be entitled to compensation. Contact Utah Bike Law to learn more.