Motorcycle Helmet Statistics (2026): Crash and Helmet-Use Data
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How dangerous is riding a motorcycle, and how much does a helmet really help? We pulled together the latest U.S. motorcycle crash and helmet statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Every number below links to its source. Last updated October 2026, using 2024 crash data, the most recent full year available.
Key motorcycle helmet statistics at a glance
- 6,228 motorcyclists were killed in U.S. crashes in 2024, 16% of all motor vehicle crash deaths. (IIHS)
- That was down from 6,366 in 2023, nearly the highest number ever recorded, and still 23% higher than in 2019. (IIHS)
- Per mile traveled, motorcyclists were almost 27 times as likely to die in a crash as people in passenger cars. (IIHS, NHTSA)
- Helmets are about 37% effective at preventing deaths and about 67% effective at preventing brain injuries. (IIHS citing NHTSA research)
- Only 17 states and Washington, D.C. require all riders to wear a helmet. (IIHS)
- In states without a universal helmet law, 48% of motorcyclists killed in 2024 weren't wearing a helmet, compared with 11% in states with a universal law (based on known helmet use). (NHTSA)
- Observed use of DOT-compliant helmets reached 73.8% in 2023, the highest level NHTSA has recorded. (NHTSA)
- If every state had required helmets for all riders from 1976 to 2022, an estimated 22,058 lives could have been saved. (IIHS)
Motorcycle deaths over time
| Year | Motorcyclists killed | Share of all crash deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 3,189 | 7% |
| 1997 | 2,116 | — |
| 2023 | 6,366 | — |
| 2024 | 6,228 | 16% |
Source: IIHS Fatality Facts 2024: Motorcycles and ATVs. Deaths in 2024 were about triple the 1997 count. Over the same period since 1975, deaths of people in passenger vehicles fell from 30,785 to 22,713.
Helmet use among riders killed in crashes
In 2024, 65% of motorcyclists killed in crashes were wearing a helmet (4,035 of 6,228) and 32% were not (1,966). Among fatally injured motorcycle drivers, 66% were helmeted; among passengers, only 47% were. (IIHS)
Helmet use depends heavily on the law where the crash happened:
| State helmet law | Motorcyclists killed (2024) | Share wearing a helmet |
|---|---|---|
| Universal law (all riders) | 2,305 | 89% |
| Partial law (some riders, often under 18 or 21) | 3,676 | 52% |
| No helmet law | 247 | 40% |
Source: IIHS. See which states require helmets in our motorcycle helmet laws by state guide.
How effective are motorcycle helmets?
- 37% effective at preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders (operators), and 41% effective for passengers. (NHTSA)
- About 67% effective at preventing brain injuries. (IIHS citing NHTSA, 2008)
- NHTSA estimates helmets saved 1,872 motorcyclists' lives in 2017, and that 749 more could have been saved if every rider had worn one. (NHTSA)
- An October 2024 IIHS study estimated that universal helmet laws in every state from 1976 to 2022 could have saved 22,058 lives, about 11% of all rider deaths over those years. (IIHS)
How many riders wear helmets?
NHTSA counts helmet use at roadside sites across the country every June. In 2023, 73.8% of riders wore a DOT-compliant helmet, the highest rate NHTSA has recorded. Use was higher in states with universal helmet laws (82.7%) than in states with weak or no helmet laws (65.9%). (NHTSA, Motorcycle Helmet Use in 2023)
Who is most at risk?
- Older riders: 31% of motorcyclists killed in 2024 were 50 or older, up from 3% in 1975 and 14% in 1997.
- Younger riders: 33% were under 30, down from 80% in 1975.
- Women: 8% of motorcyclists killed were female, and 52% of them were passengers.
- Unlicensed riders: 36% of fatally injured motorcycle drivers didn't have a valid license, compared with 17% of passenger vehicle drivers.
- Big bikes: 32% of motorcycle drivers killed were on bikes over 1,400 cc, up from 9% in 2000.
Source: IIHS, 2024 data.
When and how motorcycle crashes happen
- Summer is peak season: deaths peaked in August (748) and were lowest in January (181). May through September accounted for 57% of deaths.
- Weekends: 46% of deaths happened on weekends.
- Multiple vehicles: 65% of deaths happened in crashes involving another vehicle; 35% were single-vehicle crashes.
- Alcohol: 26% of fatally injured motorcycle drivers had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher. That rose to 39% in single-vehicle crashes and 44% at night (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.).
Source: IIHS, 2024 data.
ATV riders and helmets
In 2024, 540 ATV riders died on U.S. public roads. Only 7% were wearing a helmet, 70% died in single-vehicle crashes and 80% died on rural roads. (IIHS)
What these numbers mean for riders
Behind every number is a rider and a family. Read a letter from a rider's mom after her son's crash.
- Wear a DOT certified helmet on every ride, even where the law doesn't require it. Learn how to spot a fake DOT helmet.
- Choose more coverage. A full face helmet protects your chin and face as well as your head.
- Make sure it fits. A loose helmet can shift or come off in a crash. Measure your head before you buy.
- Replace old or damaged helmets. See how long a motorcycle helmet lasts.
- Get trained and licensed, ride sober, and take extra care on summer weekends.
Every helmet in our DOT approved motorcycle helmets collection meets the federal FMVSS-218 standard.
Using these statistics
Journalists, bloggers, safety trainers and law firms are welcome to use these statistics. Please credit the original sources below and link to this page.
Sources
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Fatality Facts 2024: Motorcycles and ATVs
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Lax helmet laws have killed more than 20,000 motorcyclists, study shows (October 2024)
- NHTSA: Traffic Safety Facts, 2024 Data: Motorcycles
- NHTSA: Motorcycle Helmet Use in 2023: Overall Results
- NHTSA: Motorcycle Safety
