What Percentage of Motorcycle Riders Get in Accidents?

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Motorcycle accidents are far more common than many people realize, especially when compared to the miles riders travel. Learning how crash statistics are calculated can help you understand the true risks on Nevada roads.

Estimating the Risk of a Motorcycle Crash

Motorcyclists face a higher risk of injury and death per mile than other motorists. For every mile traveled, motorcycle riders are approximately 28 times more likely to die and five times more likely to be injured than automobile occupants. But what percentage of motorcycle riders get in accidents? Unfortunately, there’s no single statistic available to answer this question. However, there are several ways of estimating the risk of getting into a motorcycle accident.

How Common Are Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in Nevada?

According to Nevada’s Traffic Safety Crash Facts report for August 2025, motorcyclists accounted for around 24% of all traffic deaths in the state. Nationally, motorcyclists account for about 15% of traffic fatalities. That means motorcyclists in Nevada are more likely to be involved in a fatal crash.

Moreover, motorcycles account for only a small fraction of the total miles traveled by motor vehicles in the state. Nevada doesn’t disclose exactly how many miles are traveled using motorcycles. However, the national number is around 0.6% of all vehicle miles traveled. If you assume that this number also applies to motorcycle usage in Nevada, motorcycle deaths are 25 times more likely across the country and 40 times more likely in Nevada compared to other vehicle types.

Motorcycle Accidents Compared to Motorcycle Registrations

There were 86,060 registered motorcycles in Nevada in 2023. According to the Nevada Department of Transportation’s crash map, the state recorded 270 motorcycle crashes that caused a fatal or serious injury that year. This number doesn’t account for all motorcycle collisions. Using these figures, one can calculate that the fatal and serious injury crash rate in Nevada is 0.3 crashes per registered motorcycle. However, this number paints an inaccurate picture for a few reasons. First, the total number of motorcycle crashes is higher than 270 when accounting for accidents that cause injury or property damage.

Second, the 86,060 registered motorcycles include vehicles that are registered and insured but never ridden. For example, some motorcycles may be stored because the owner doesn’t have the time or isn’t healthy enough to ride. The number may also include bikes that are only used periodically, such as during road trips or while camping. As the number of accidents expands to include all crashes and the number of motorcycles on the road drops to exclude those never used, the rate of crashes per motorcycle goes up.

Motorcycle Crashes Relative to Number of Motorcycle Licenses

Nevada doesn’t disclose its total number of licensed motorcyclists. Nationwide, about 30 million people hold motorcycle licenses. According to the most recent national motorcycle crash statistics in 2023, motorcyclists suffered:

6,335 fatal injuries
82,564 non-fatal injuries

In total, 88,899 people were injured or killed in motorcycle crashes across the U.S. that year.

Using the estimated number of licensees, it can be estimated that 0.3% of licensed motorcyclists were involved in a collision that resulted in injury or death. However, once again, the number doesn’t reflect riders’ true risk. Not all 30 million license holders ride motorcycles. Many meet the licensing requirements but don’t ride because of their age or health. The number of license holders is three to four times higher than the number of registered vehicles. As such, many of these people don’t have access to a motorcycle.

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Contributing Factors That Can Increase the Risk of a Motorcycle Crash

Motorcyclists face many risks that increase their likelihood of accidents compared to other vehicle types. Inexperienced riders are more likely to crash than experienced ones. Riding also requires strength and balance, and younger or less experienced riders may not have the physical skills needed to operate their vehicles safely. Motorcycles are more susceptible to adverse road conditions than other vehicles. The design of these vehicles—with just two wheels and tires that are smaller than a car’s—makes them more susceptible to crashes because it is easier to lose control on slick or gravel surfaces. However, the greatest risk to motorcyclists is other drivers. As pointed out by the Nevada Departments of Safety and Transportation, most collisions between motorcycles and other vehicles happen when the driver fails to see the motorcyclist. Factors that can cause a driver not to see a motorcyclist:

Drivers have trouble judging the speed and distance of motorcycles due to their size
Motorcycles are smaller and more difficult to spot at a glance
Distractions can interfere with a driver’s ability to detect riders

Many drivers also have a cognitive bias known as “inattentional blindness ” when driving around motorcycles. This means that they fail to notice motorcycles—even when they’re in plain sight—because they aren’t actively looking for them.

Contact Battle Born Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation With a Las Vegas Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Regardless of the exact percentage, motorcycle riders have a substantially higher crash risk than other road users. Under Nevada law, injured motorcyclists have the right to seek compensation from the negligent drivers who hit them. A qualified Las Vegas motorcycle accident attorney can be a valuable resource when filing a claim. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas, contact our law firm, Battle Born Injury Lawyers, to schedule a free consultation. Our experienced Las Vegas motorcycle accident lawyers are available to discuss your accident and the damages you may be entitled to. Call us at 702-570-9000.

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