Utah Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Utah is a top motorcycle destination state, with scenic routes along mountain passes, stunning Moab red rock formations, the Colorado River Gorge, and panoramic vistas in Zion National Park. It also has robust motorcycle laws protecting motorists and motorcyclists. Unfortunately, accidents still occur more often than many people imagine, with the same open-air format that makes a motorcycle ride so thrilling also leaving riders vulnerable to severe injuries.
An expert motorcycle accident lawyer in Salt Lake City can assist you if you were involved in a collision.
Call (385) 404-6398 today for a no-obligation consultation, free of charge.
Understanding Motorcycle Accident Statistics In Utah
According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, motorcycle accidents remain a substantial problem, with motorcycle accident fatalities increasing in the past decade at the same time that overall crash rates per registered motorcycle are trending downward. Startling statistics from data gathered between 2009 and 2018 reveal the following:
- Motorcyclists in Utah accounted for 18% of accident fatalities despite being only 1% of people involved in traffic accidents
- Motorcycle crashes were 13 times more likely to result in death than other traffic accidents
- There were 1,037 motorcycle accident deaths in Utah between 2009 and 2018
- 37% of motorcycle accident victims in 2018 were not wearing helmets
- Motorcyclists who didn’t wear helmets were 1.6 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in a crash compared to those who wore helmets
- 55% of motorcycle collisions involved a collision with at least one vehicle while 41% included no other involved vehicles. The remaining involved multiple vehicles
- 30% of motorcycle accidents involved drivers between ages 20 and 29 with the highest number (17%) in those age 20 to 24
Anyone under the age of 18 is required by law to wear a helmet when operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle.
Motorcycle accidents are often deadly — if a loved one was involved in a fatal collision, contact the Salt Lake City wrongful death lawyers from Handy & Handy today to get them justice.
Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents In Utah
According to the gathered data, the leading factor in accidents between motorcycles and motor vehicles was failure to yield the right of way, particularly during driver left turns. Statistics show the following:
- 41% of motor vehicles vs. motorcycle crashes were from failure to yield the right of way
- Tailgating (following too closely): 10%
- Improper turning (particularly left turns): 9%
- Unsafe lane changes: 7%
About 41% of motorcycle accidents involving one or more cars were angle collisions while rear-end collisions were 31% and same-direction sideswipes were 11%.
2024 Motorcycle Accident Statistics In Utah Are Concerning
In 2024, motorcycle accident deaths in Utah reached an alarming 15-year high of 53 fatalities in that single year, with most fatalities occurring in Utah’s summer months. The majority of motorcycle accidents with injuries and fatalities were collisions involving a motorcycle and one car or truck. This new high in motorcycle accident numbers contributed to the new legalized lane-splitting law in Utah allowing motorcycle riders to ride between lanes of traffic to move ahead rather than remaining in the dangerous position of being sandwiched between two cars, causing many rear-end collisions.
Motorcyclists may only lane split in stalled traffic or traffic moving less than 15 miles per hour and only in lanes with sufficient width to allow safe passage between vehicles in parallel lanes.
Vulnerable road users, including motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists made up one-third of Utah traffic deaths in 2024.
Call (385) 404-6398 or contact us online to speak with a Salt Lake City motorcycle accident lawyer today.