About 80% of reported motorcycle crashes result in injury or death, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That compares to roughly 20% for passenger car crashes. In 2023, motorcyclists suffered 6,335 deaths and approximately 82,000 non-fatal injuries on U.S. roads. No other common vehicle type comes close to those numbers per crash.
If those numbers surprise you, keep reading. This post breaks down what the data shows, why motorcycle crashes cause so much harm, what injuries riders most often suffer, and what the motorcycle accident statistics look like in New York.
Why Are Motorcyclists So Likely to Get Hurt in a Crash?
The short answer is exposure. A motorcyclist has no steel frame around them, no airbags, no crumple zones. When a crash happens, the rider's body takes the hit directly.
NHTSA's 2023 data puts the risk in sharp relief:
- Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die per mile traveled than passenger car occupants
- Motorcyclists are about 4 to 5 times more likely to be injured per mile traveled
- Motorcycle deaths accounted for 15% of all U.S. motor vehicle fatalities in 2023, even though motorcycles make up only about 3% of registered vehicles
That last point matters. Motorcycles are a small share of traffic, but they account for a far larger share of road deaths. The physics of an unprotected rider meeting a road surface or another vehicle at any speed explain why the motorcycle accident injury rate is so high.
What Percent of Motorcycle Accidents Result in Injury or Death? The Full Breakdown
The NHTSA figure — that 80% of reported motorcycle crashes result in injury or death — is the clearest answer to this question. Here is how that breaks down:
- About 14% of reported motorcycle crashes are fatal
- About 66% result in non-fatal injury
- About 20% are property-damage-only crashes
For passenger cars, the pattern is nearly reversed. Roughly 80% of car crashes result in property damage only. Injury or death occurs in about 20%.
This difference is not random. It reflects how motorcycles and cars behave in a crash. A car driver walks away from a minor fender-bender all the time. A motorcyclist who goes down, even at low speed, often suffers road rash, broken bones, or worse.
What Are the Most Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents?
The 80% figure is striking on its own, but knowing what those injuries look like gives it more meaning. Motorcycle injuries tend to be more severe than what car occupants experience in similar crashes.
Road rash is the most common motorcycle injury. When a rider is thrown from a bike and slides across pavement, the friction strips skin, sometimes down to muscle or bone. At highway speeds, road rash can require skin grafts and leave permanent scarring.
Leg and foot injuries come next. A CDC study of over 1.2 million emergency room visits found that 30% of non-fatal motorcycle injuries involve the legs and feet. These include fractures of the tibia, fibula, femur, and ankle, many of which require surgery and long rehabilitation.
Upper extremity fractures are also frequent, particularly to the wrists and forearms. Riders instinctively try to brace a fall with their hands, which puts enormous force on arm bones.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most serious outcomes. Even helmeted riders can suffer concussions, brain contusions, or more severe damage from the forces involved in a crash.
Spinal cord injuries occur when the spine absorbs a violent impact, sometimes causing partial or complete paralysis.
Internal injuries to the liver, spleen, kidneys, and lungs can result from handlebar impacts or being compressed against another vehicle.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics in New York
National averages matter, but if you ride in New York, the local picture is especially serious.
In 2023, New York State recorded 4,525 motorcycle accidents involving fatal or bodily injury, and 193 motorcyclist fatalities. That was a nearly 12% increase from the prior year.
New York City's numbers stand out even more. NYC's motorcycle fatality rate is about 71 per 100,000 registered motorcycles, nearly double the national average of 56 per 100,000. Queens and Brooklyn together account for roughly 74% of all motorcycle fatalities in the city.
Other facts from NYC data:
- 43% of NYC riders killed had no valid motorcycle license
- Queens recorded 46 motorcycle accidents in the early months of 2023
- The five-borough street grid, with its congestion, frequent lane changes, and pedestrian traffic, adds risk on top of the danger that already comes with riding on two wheels
For Queens riders, heavy traffic and narrow streets mean that even experienced riders face real crash risk on every commute.
Does a Helmet Reduce the Risk of Death in a Motorcycle Crash?
Yes. NHTSA data shows that helmets reduce the risk of motorcycle fatality by about 37%. A federal Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) study found helmets are approximately 67% effective in preventing brain injuries.
New York State requires all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear helmets, regardless of age. That law saves lives. But a helmet cannot undo the basic vulnerability that comes with riding without a protective shell around you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accident Injury Rates
Are most motorcycle accidents fatal?
No, but they are far more likely to cause serious injury than car crashes. About 14% of reported motorcycle crashes are fatal. The larger share, roughly 66%, result in non-fatal injury. Only about 20% are property-damage-only, compared to around 80% of car crashes.
How dangerous is riding a motorcycle compared to driving a car?
Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die per mile traveled than passenger car occupants, according to NHTSA 2023 data. They are also 4 to 5 times more likely to be injured. In crash outcomes, motorcycles are among the most dangerous vehicles on public roads.
What are the most common injuries from motorcycle accidents?
Road rash is the most common. Leg and foot fractures follow, as a CDC study found that 30% of non-fatal motorcycle injuries involve the lower extremities. Upper extremity fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal injuries are also frequent, particularly in higher-speed crashes.
What causes most motorcycle accidents?
The most common causes include left-turn collisions (a car turning across a rider's path), rear-end crashes, road hazards like debris or uneven pavement, and driver inattention. In urban areas like Queens and New York City, heavy traffic and distracted drivers push up the frequency of these scenarios.
Does wearing a helmet reduce the risk of death in a motorcycle crash?
Yes. NHTSA data shows helmets reduce motorcycle fatality risk by about 37%. A federal CODES study found helmets are approximately 67% effective in preventing brain injuries. New York requires helmets for all riders and passengers, but a helmet does not eliminate the risk of serious injury in a crash.
How many motorcycle accidents happen in New York each year?
New York State recorded 4,525 motorcycle accidents involving fatal or bodily injury in 2023. That year saw 193 motorcyclist fatalities statewide, a nearly 12% increase over the prior year. New York City's fatality rate was nearly double the national average per registered motorcycle.
Injured in a Motorcycle Crash in Queens or New York City?
These motorcycle crash statistics make one thing clear: accidents rarely end without serious harm. If you or a family member suffered injuries in a motorcycle crash, the fractures, head trauma, road rash, or spinal damage you are dealing with fit exactly what the data shows.
The Queens motorcycle accident lawyers at The Orlow Firm represent injured riders in Queens, Brooklyn, and throughout New York City. Unlike car drivers, motorcyclists cannot access New York's no-fault insurance system for their injuries. That makes having an attorney who knows motorcycle cases essential.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. The Orlow Firm has recovered $650,000 for a motorcycle passenger who was struck by a police car and suffered a fractured jaw requiring surgery.
Sources & Official Resources
Federal Sources
- NHTSA — Understanding the Motorcycle Safety Problem
- NHTSA Motorcycles: 2023 Data — Traffic Safety Facts
- NHTSA — Motorcycle Safety Overview
- NHTSA — Universal Motorcycle Helmet Use Laws
Independent Safety Research
New York State Sources
Health Agencies
Contact The Orlow Firm
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Queens or New York City, call The Orlow Firm for a free consultation. Our attorneys handle motorcycle crash cases on a contingency basis. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Call (646) 647-3398 — Se Habla Español.
Our main office is at 71-18 Main Street, Queens, NY 11367. We also serve clients in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan. If you cannot come to us, we can come to you.
