Motorcycles are riskier to drive than automobiles. They become unstable when the rider loses their balance. Moreover, they offer little protection for operators or passengers in a motorcycle accident. If the riders choose to ride without a helmet — in violation of Georgia’s helmet law — they have no protection from head trauma or brain injuries.
As a result of all of these factors, motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die and five times more likely to be injured in a traffic crash than automobile occupants. Here’s more about what you need to know.
Difficulties in Calculating the Percentage of Motorcyclists in Crashes
There is no easy way to estimate the percentage of motorcycle riders who get into accidents. First, the statistics are only readily available on a yearly basis. While these numbers can tell you a motorcyclist’s risk in any one year, they cannot tell you a rider’s lifetime risks.
More importantly, these risks are not fixed. A rider’s skills and coordination will change over time. Novice riders will have higher risks due to inexperience, while senior riders may lose the strength to handle their motorcycles safely.
However, Georgia provides two types of data that show a rough estimate of an operator’s relative risk of a collision. These are the number of licensed motorcyclists and the number of registered motorcycles.
What Percentage of Licensed Motorcycle Riders Were Involved in Crashes?
The most recent data released by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety covered motorcycle crashes in 2022. That year, the state had 4,201 motorcycle accidents and 467,149 operators with motorcycle licenses.
However, estimating how many motorcycle riders got in accidents from this data is difficult for several reasons. First, and most obviously, at least a few motorcyclists may have been involved in multiple crashes. Thus, some riders may have been double-counted.
Second, the same report indicated that 54% of riders involved in accidents were unlicensed. By only counting licensed motorcyclists, the calculation probably undercounts motorcycle riders.
Third, 13% of motorcycle accidents in 2022 involved a driver licensed in another state. The report specifically identifies 5% of crash victims licensed in Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, or South Carolina. If you include the large number of out-of-state motorcyclists, the percentage falls.
What Percentage of Registered Georgia Motorcycles Were Involved in Crashes?
Another way to estimate the risks faced by motorcycle riders is to compare the number of crashes to the number of registered motorcycles. In 2022, Georgia had 214,760 registered motorcycles, according to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
Again, estimating using this number is problematic. Many of the out-of-state motorcyclists involved in crashes were likely riding motorcycles registered in another state. Also, riders involved in crashes may have been riding unregistered motorcycles.
Finally, at least some motorcycle registrations apply to motorcycles that are not operational or were not ridden in 2022.
Estimating Motorcyclist Risk
Ultimately, there is no single percentage that can neatly capture how many motorcycle riders will be involved in accidents. Annual crash statistics in Georgia provide some context, but they cannot fully account for unlicensed riders, out-of-state operators, or motorcycles that are registered but not actively used.
What the data does make clear is that riding a motorcycle carries significantly higher risks than driving a car. Motorcyclists face unique vulnerabilities — from reduced stability to limited physical protection — that make collisions more likely to result in severe injury or death.
While percentages vary depending on the measurement used, the underlying message is the same: motorcycle riders must recognize the heightened risks on the road.
Contact the Personal Injury Law Firm of Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers in Savannah for Help Today
For more information, please contact our experienced Savannah personal injury lawyer at Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have a convenient location in Savannah, GA.
We proudly serve Chatham County, Georgia, and its surrounding areas.
Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers
308 Commercial Drive, Suite 100, Savannah, GA 31406
(912) 335-1909
Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Savannah
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 32.0047854, -81.1083488
About The Author
Attorney Andrew Bowen is a founding partner of Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers based in Savannah, GA. He earned his law degree from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law in 1998, after completing his undergraduate studies at Washington and Lee University. Licensed to practice in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, Andrew is also admitted to the federal courts in Georgia and South Carolina, the Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. With over 25 years of legal experience focusing exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death cases since 2001, ranging from medical malpractice and automobile wrecks to commercial truck and motorcycle accidents. Andrew has established himself as a formidable advocate attorney in the Georgia community; his dedication to personally overseeing each case ensures that clients receive individualized attention and aggressive representation. Click here to view some of the exceptional case results Andrew has helped secure on behalf of injured clients.
Location: Savannah, GA
