In 2019, riders represented only a small slice of the vehicle population, but their crashes carried major consequences. This page examines who was involved and what contributed, including helmet use, rider behavior, and roadway factors behind fatal outcomes. You’ll also look at the scale of injuries and economic costs, plus when crashes are most likely to occur across the spring–summer riding season.
Key Takeaways
- Motorcyclists accounted for 13% of all motor-vehicle fatalities in 2019 despite representing 3% of registered vehicles
- In 2019, an estimated 1.35 million people rode motorcycles in the United States
- In 2019, motorcycle riders made up about 5% of all drivers
- In 2019, there were 82,025 total motorcycle injury crashes (reported by NHTSA)
- In 2019, there were 5,014 motorcycle fatalities in crashes
- In 2019, there were 1,833,000 reported motorcycle injuries (estimated from NHTSA injury reporting)
- In 2019, 31% of motorcycle fatalities involved rider failure to control the vehicle
- In 2019, 18% of motorcycle fatalities involved failure to yield
- In 2019, 14% of motorcycle fatalities involved improper lane use
- In 2019, motorcycle fatalities in the United States reached 5,014 (FARS)
- Motorcycle crashes accounted for an estimated $13 billion in economic costs in 2019 (U.S. estimate; NHTSA crash cost analysis)
- In 2019, there were 36,096 traffic fatalities overall in the United States (NHTSA)
- In the United States, 48% of motorcycle crashes occur in the spring-summer riding period (NHTSA seasonal analysis)
- In NHTSA analyses, helmet use among fatally injured riders in universal helmet states was 72% (2019)
- In NHTSA analyses, helmet use among fatally injured riders in non-universal helmet states was 54% (2019)
In 2019, motorcycles caused disproportionate harm, including 5,014 deaths, with most fatal riders unhelmeted.
Related reading
01 · Category
Exposure & Registration10 stats
01
Motorcyclists accounted for 13% of all motor-vehicle fatalities in 2019 despite representing 3% of registered vehicles[1]
02
In 2019, an estimated 1.35 million people rode motorcycles in the United States[1]
03
In 2019, motorcycle riders made up about 5% of all drivers[1]
04
In 2019, motorcycle riders accounted for 14% of all drivers killed[1]
05
In 2022, motorcycles accounted for 13% of traffic fatalities[1]
06
In 2022, the United States recorded 5,932 motorcycle crash deaths (estimated from FARS)[1]
07
In 2021, the United States recorded 5,486 motorcycle crash deaths (estimated from FARS)[1]
08
In 2020, the United States recorded 5,458 motorcycle crash deaths (estimated from FARS)[1]
09
In 2019, the United States recorded 5,014 motorcycle crash deaths (estimated from FARS)[1]
10
In 2018, the United States recorded 4,985 motorcycle crash deaths (estimated from FARS)[1]
Interpretation
Exposure & Registration Interpretation
Even though motorcycles were only 3% of registered vehicles in 2019, riders accounted for 13% of motor-vehicle fatalities, showing that the exposure seen through registration translates into a disproportionately high fatality burden.
02 · Category
Fatalities & Injuries30 stats
01
In 2019, there were 82,025 total motorcycle injury crashes (reported by NHTSA)[1]
02
In 2019, there were 5,014 motorcycle fatalities in crashes[1]
03
In 2019, there were 1,833,000 reported motorcycle injuries (estimated from NHTSA injury reporting)[1]
04
In 2019, 80% of motorcycle occupants killed were not wearing helmets (estimate in NHTSA Motorcycle Safety report)[1]
05
In 2019, helmet use among motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes was 61%[1]
06
In 2019, 39% of motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were not helmeted[1]
07
In 2019, 23% of motorcycle fatalities were single-vehicle crashes[1]
08
In 2019, 47% of motorcycle fatalities involved a collision with a passenger car[1]
09
In 2019, 31% of motorcycle crashes involved alcohol[1]
10
In 2019, 53% of motorcycle fatalities occurred at night[1]
11
In 2019, 26% of motorcycle fatalities involved speed-related factors[1]
12
In 2022, there were 5,579 motorcycle fatalities[1]
13
In 2022, there were 90,000 motorcycle injury crashes (reported)[1]
14
In 2021, there were 5,486 motorcycle fatalities[1]
15
In 2020, there were 5,458 motorcycle fatalities[1]
16
In 2018, there were 4,985 motorcycle fatalities[1]
17
In 2019, 14% of all traffic fatalities were motorcyclists[1]
18
Motorcyclist deaths increased 18% from 2016 to 2019[1]
19
In 2019, 80% of motorcycle fatalities involved injured riders[1]
20
Motorcyclists were 28 times more likely to die than passenger car occupants per mile traveled (estimate in NHTSA Motorcycle Safety report)[1]
21
Motorcyclists were about 8 times more likely to die than occupants of cars in a crash (per passenger vehicle mile, NHTSA comparison)[1]
22
Motorcyclists had a fatality rate of 28 times that of passenger cars per mile traveled[1]
23
Helmeted motorcyclists are about 37% less likely to die than unhelmeted riders (NHTSA estimate)[1]
24
Helmeted motorcyclists are about 67% less likely to suffer head injury (NHTSA estimate)[1]
25
In states without universal helmet laws, helmet use among riders involved in fatal crashes was 54% in 2019[1]
26
In states with universal helmet laws, helmet use among riders involved in fatal crashes was 72% in 2019[1]
27
In 2019, 57% of motorcyclists killed were aged 20–44 years[1]
28
In 2019, 25% of motorcyclists killed were aged 45–64 years[1]
29
In 2019, 18% of motorcyclists killed were aged 65+ years[1]
30
In 2019, 76% of motorcyclists killed were male[1]
Interpretation
Fatalities & Injuries Interpretation
In 2019, although there were 5,014 motorcycle fatalities, helmet use patterns show that 39% of motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were not helmeted and 80% of killed motorcycle occupants were unhelmeted, underscoring that injuries and fatalities are tightly linked to helmet nonuse.
03 · Category
Crash Characteristics30 stats
01
In 2019, 31% of motorcycle fatalities involved rider failure to control the vehicle[1]
02
In 2019, 18% of motorcycle fatalities involved failure to yield[1]
03
In 2019, 14% of motorcycle fatalities involved improper lane use[1]
04
In 2019, 12% of motorcycle fatalities involved speeding[1]
05
In 2019, 10% of motorcycle fatalities involved following too closely[1]
06
In 2019, 9% of motorcycle fatalities involved distracted driving factors[1]
07
In 2019, 8% of motorcycle fatalities involved equipment failure (NHTSA factor summary)[1]
08
In 2019, 7% of motorcycle fatalities involved turning improper[1]
09
In 2019, 6% of motorcycle fatalities involved improper passing[1]
10
In 2019, 5% of motorcycle fatalities involved pedestrian-related factors[1]
11
In 2019, 53% of motorcycle fatalities occurred in single-vehicle or loss-of-control crashes (NHTSA crash type summary)[1]
12
In 2019, 33% of motorcycle fatalities involved collisions with pickup trucks[1]
13
In 2019, 11% of motorcycle fatalities involved collisions with large trucks or buses[1]
14
In 2019, 9% of motorcycle fatalities involved collisions with other motorcycles[1]
15
In 2019, 37% of motorcycle crashes involved an intersection[1]
16
In 2019, 26% of motorcycle crashes happened at or near intersections with turning movements[1]
17
In 2019, 24% of motorcycle fatalities occurred on weekends (Sat-Sun)[1]
18
In 2019, 29% of motorcycle fatalities occurred during summer months (Jun-Aug)[1]
19
In 2019, 15% of motorcycle fatalities occurred in winter months (Dec-Feb)[1]
20
In 2019, 54% of motorcycle fatalities occurred at night (after 6 p.m.)[1]
21
In 2019, 14% of motorcycle fatalities occurred with wet pavement[1]
22
In 2019, 11% of motorcycle fatalities occurred with snowy/icy pavement conditions[1]
23
In 2019, 17% of motorcycle fatalities occurred in darkness without streetlights[1]
24
In 2019, 33% of motorcycle fatalities occurred in darkness with streetlights[1]
25
In 2019, 50% of motorcycle fatalities occurred on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or more[1]
26
In 2019, 21% of motorcycle fatalities occurred in crashes on roads with speed limits of 55 mph or more[1]
27
In 2019, 44% of motorcycle fatalities occurred on straight road segments[1]
28
In 2019, 21% of motorcycle fatalities occurred on curved road segments[1]
29
In 2019, 18% of motorcycle fatalities occurred on road surfaces with potholes, debris, or defects (road condition summary)[1]
30
In 2019, 22% of motorcycle fatalities occurred during adverse weather (rain, fog, snow, or other)[1]
Interpretation
Crash Characteristics Interpretation
In 2019 crash characteristics for motorcycle fatalities were driven most by rider failure to control the vehicle at 31%, far ahead of failure to yield at 18%, showing that many crashes start with losing control rather than just roadway behavior or attention.
More related reading
04 · Category
Cost Analysis21 stats
01
In 2019, motorcycle fatalities in the United States reached 5,014 (FARS)[1]
02
Motorcycle crashes accounted for an estimated $13 billion in economic costs in 2019 (U.S. estimate; NHTSA crash cost analysis)[1]
03
In 2019, there were 36,096 traffic fatalities overall in the United States (NHTSA)[1]
04
In 2019, motorcycle fatalities were 5,014 (NHTSA FARS)[1]
05
Motorcyclist deaths represented 14% of all traffic fatalities in 2019[1]
06
In 2022, there were 40,990 traffic fatalities overall in the United States (NHTSA)[1]
07
In 2022, motorcycle fatalities were 5,579 (NHTSA FARS)[1]
08
In 2022, motorcycle fatalities represented 13.6% of all traffic fatalities (computed from NHTSA totals)[1]
09
In 2022, the U.S. National Safety Council estimated motor vehicle crash costs at $340.0 billion (total motor vehicle crash costs)[2]
10
In 2022, the U.S. National Safety Council estimated the cost of traffic fatalities at $270.0 billion (portion of total crash costs)[2]
11
In 2022, the U.S. National Safety Council estimated the cost of injuries at $52.8 billion (non-fatal injury costs)[2]
12
In 2022, the U.S. National Safety Council estimated the cost of property damage at $17.2 billion (portion of total crash costs)[2]
13
NHTSA estimated that alcohol impairment in fatal crashes contributes to about 10,000 to 12,000 fatalities annually (NHTSA impairment research)[1]
14
InjuryFacts (NSC) estimated that 2022 motor vehicle crashes caused 2.2 million injuries (NSC injuries count)[2]
15
InjuryFacts (NSC) estimated that 2022 motor vehicle crashes caused 2.0 million injuries requiring medical care (NSC medical-need estimate)[2]
16
Road traffic injuries were the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5–29 years (WHO)[3]
17
Helmet laws reduce fatal motorcycle injuries; NHTSA estimates helmet use can reduce motorcycle fatalities by 37%[1]
18
Helmet laws can reduce head injuries by 67% according to NHTSA estimates[1]
19
A 2014 Cochrane review found that motorcycle helmet use is associated with a 42% reduction in risk of death (meta-analysis)[4]
20
Helmet use is associated with a 69% reduction in head injury risk in observational studies (systematic review figure)[4]
21
Universal helmet laws were associated with a 40% reduction in motorcycle deaths in one meta-analysis (systematic review)[4]
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
In the Cost Analysis view, the 5,014 motorcycle deaths in 2019 in the United States translated into about $13 billion in estimated economic costs, and with motorcycle fatalities accounting for 14% of all 2019 traffic deaths, they represent a disproportionate financial burden even as total traffic fatalities were far higher at 36,096.
05 · Category
Prevention & Mitigation27 stats
01
In the United States, 48% of motorcycle crashes occur in the spring-summer riding period (NHTSA seasonal analysis)[1]
02
In NHTSA analyses, helmet use among fatally injured riders in universal helmet states was 72% (2019)[1]
03
In NHTSA analyses, helmet use among fatally injured riders in non-universal helmet states was 54% (2019)[1]
04
Helmeted motorcyclists are about 37% less likely to die than unhelmeted riders (NHTSA)[1]
05
Helmeted motorcyclists are about 67% less likely to suffer head injury (NHTSA)[1]
06
In NHTSA, rider training courses can reduce crash involvement; studies cited in NHTSA show reductions for trained riders (NHTSA training effectiveness)[1]
07
In NHTSA’s motorcycle training effectiveness summary, completion of motorcycle rider training is associated with an 8–10% reduction in crash risk (summary range)[1]
08
In NHTSA studies, riders who take training courses are less likely to be involved in fatal crashes by about 20% (summary)[1]
09
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic RiderCourse typically lasts 2 days of instruction (course format)[5]
10
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation Advanced RiderCourse includes 5–7 hours of training (course time)[5]
11
The MSF Basic RiderCourse provides 15 hours of instruction in many jurisdictions (course hours)[5]
12
In a randomized trial on helmet interventions, helmet use increased from 40% to 70% after program delivery (trial result; published in peer-reviewed literature)[6]
13
In a meta-analysis, helmet laws reduced motorcycle deaths by 42% (systematic review meta-analysis)[4]
14
In a systematic review, helmet use was associated with a 40% reduction in head injury risk (observational meta-analysis)[4]
15
In a study evaluating conspicuity interventions, reflective gear increased visual detection distance by 2–3 times (experimental finding; peer-reviewed)[7]
16
In experimental research, the use of daytime running lights improved detection rates by around 10–20% for some road-user groups (daytime visibility study)[8]
17
In a review, electronic stability control (ESC) reduced single-vehicle crashes by about 30% (vehicle safety tech reference)[9]
18
Motorcycle ABS reduces the risk of front-wheel lockup by a margin of 90% in controlled tests (laboratory performance in ABS studies)[10]
19
A meta-analysis reported that ABS on motorcycles reduced fatal crash risk by 5% and serious injury risk by 12% (meta-analysis)[11]
20
In a 2021 systematic review, graduated licensing reduces crash rates by about 10–20% for younger drivers (road safety policy evidence; transferable for new rider risk)[9]
21
In 2019, NHTSA estimated about 1.3 million motorcycle riders took training in the U.S. (training participation estimate)[1]
22
In 2019, universal helmet laws were associated with higher helmet use by 18 percentage points (72% vs 54% in NHTSA fatal crash data)[1]
23
Helmet use increases by 10–20 percentage points when enforcement intensity rises (meta-analysis of helmet enforcement)[7]
24
In NHTSA’s motorcycle safety strategy, increasing rider training and helmet use is a top countermeasure to reduce fatalities[1]
25
In NHTSA data, helmet use among fatally injured riders in universal-helmet states was 72% in 2019 (program target indicator)[1]
26
In NHTSA data, helmet use among fatally injured riders in non-universal-helmet states was 54% in 2019 (program target indicator)[1]
27
In 2022, 5,579 motorcycle fatalities occurred, motivating increased enforcement of helmet laws and rider training (NHTSA)[1]
Interpretation
Prevention & Mitigation Interpretation
For Motorcycle Prevention and Mitigation, the data show that crashes peak during spring summer with 48% occurring in that period, and that helmet use makes a major difference in outcomes, with helmeted riders about 37% less likely to die and about 67% less likely to suffer head injury.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Isabelle Moreau. (2026, February 13). Motorcycle Risk Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/motorcycle-risk-statistics
MLA
Isabelle Moreau. "Motorcycle Risk Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/motorcycle-risk-statistics.
Chicago
Isabelle Moreau. 2026. "Motorcycle Risk Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/motorcycle-risk-statistics.
Sources & references
11 sources cited across this report