Motorcycle Accident Statistics: What You Need To Know

Motorcycle accident statistics show that motorcyclists are 28 times more likely than people in passenger cars to die in a traffic crash – and 5 times more likely to be injured. They also show that most crashes involve a collision between a motorcyclist and another vehicle, especially when the vehicle turns left in front of a motorcyclist who is traveling in a straight, forward direction.

The motorcycle accident statistics discussed below are based on the most current years for which national and Michigan automobile crash data are available from NHTSA and from Michigan.

In 2023, motorcyclists were 28 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to be killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes – 5 times more likely to be injured – based on vehicle miles traveled, according to NHTSA.

In 2022, the “fatality rate for motorcyclists” was 22 times the “passenger car occupant fatality rate” and 36 times the “fatality rate for light-truck occupants.” (NHTSA) Additionally, NHTSA reports that the “motorcyclist injury rate” was “almost 4 times the injury rate of passenger car occupants . . . and nearly 7 times the injury rate of light-truck occupants.”

According to motorcycle accident statistics, approximately 1% of motorcycle riders are killed or injured in automobile crashes.

Nationally, in 2022, there were 9,567,664 motorcycle registrations and there were 88,905 motorcyclists who were killed and injured in crashes. (NHTSA) According to NHTSA, “[o]f the 6,218 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes, 95 percent (5,934) were riders and 5 percent (284) were passengers.”

In Michigan in 2023, there were 271,696 motorcycle registrations and 2,559 motorcyclists who were killed and injured in crashes, according to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts.

According to the motorcycle accident statistics, in 2022, 88,905 motorcyclists were killed and injured in crashes nationally. (NHTSA) In Michigan in 2023, there were a total of 3,056 crashes, which resulted in 165 motorcyclists losing their lives and 2,394 being injured. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)

According to the motorcycle accident statistics, the major cause of death is when a motorcyclist collides with another vehicle. In 2022, nationwide, 58% of the motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes lost their lives as a result of colliding with another vehicle. (NHTSA)

Below are the other major causes of death: 

• Going straight ahead: Nationally, 44% of all two-vehicle fatal crashes in 2022 involving a motorcyclist and another vehicle involved the other vehicle turning left in front of a motorcyclist as he or she traveled in a straight, forward direction. (NHTSA) In Michigan in 2023, 82.4% of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were “going straight ahead” just before the crash. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)
• Speeding: 35% of the motorcyclists who were involved in fatal crashes nationally in 2022 were speeding, compared with 22% for passenger car drivers, 15% for light-truck drivers, and 6% for large-truck drivers. (NHTSA)
• Drinking and driving: 29% of the motorcyclists who were killed in fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes nationwide in 2022 were alcohol-impaired with BAC levels of .08 g/dL or higher. (NHTSA) Of the 165 motorcyclists killed in Michigan in 2023, 29.1% of those deaths were caused by a “had-been-drinking crash.” (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)  

The main cause of these crashes is being struck by or colliding with another type of vehicle, which frequently occurs while a motorcyclist is going straight ahead on the roadway and the other vehicle turns left in front of the motorcyclist.

According to the motorcycle accident statistics other causes of include:

• Head-on collisions: 77% of the motorcyclists involved in two-vehicle motor vehicle traffic crashes nationally were struck head-on in 2022. (NHTSA)
• Slowing or stopping: In 3.8% of the crashes involving motorcyclists in Michigan in 2023, the motorcyclist was “slowing” or “stopping in the roadway” just before the crash. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, Statewide, 2023, “Vehicle/Driver,” “Action Prior to Crash,” “Motorcyclist Action“)
• Negotiating a curve: In 5.6% of the crashes involving motorcyclists in Michigan in 2023, the motorcyclist was “negotiating a curve” just before the crash. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, Statewide, 2023, “Vehicle/Driver,” “Action Prior to Crash,” “Motorcyclist Action“)
• Turning left: In approximately 4% of the crashes involving motorcyclists in Michigan in 2023, the motorcyclist was “turning left” just before the crash. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, Statewide, 2023, “Vehicle/Driver,” “Action Prior to Crash,” “Motorcyclist Action“)

Statistics show that nationwide fatal motorcycle accidents, which includes both riders and passengers, accounted for 15% of all traffic fatalities in 2022. (NHTSA) In Michigan, motorcyclists accounted for 15.4% of all traffic crash-related deaths in Michigan in 2023. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)

According to national motorcycle accident statistics, in 2022, 64% of motorcyclist fatalities occurred at locations other than intersections and 92% occurred on non-interstate roads. (NHTSA)

According to national motorcycle accident statistics, in 2022, 58% of all motorcyclist fatalities occurred during daylight, whereas 37% occurred in the dark, and 4% and 1% occurred at dusk and dawn, respectively. (NHTSA)

According to national motorcycle accident statistics, as many as 97% of motorcyclist fatalities in 2022 occurred in cloudy and/or clear conditions as compared to 2% in rain and 1% in snow, sleet and fog. (NHTSA)

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a motorcycle crash in Michigan call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.

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(Sources: NHTSA – Traffic Safety Facts – 2021 Data – “Motorcycles” (Published June 2023); Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, Fact Sheets, “Motorcycles,” 2022; 

Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, Statewide, 2023, “Vehicle/Driver,” “Action Prior to Crash,” “Motorcyclist Action“)