What Percentage of Motorcycle Riders Get in Accidents in Denver, CO?
Motorcyclists make up only a small share of all road users, yet they experience a significant portion of traffic-related injuries and deaths. According to the National Safety Council, motorcyclists account for 3.4% of all people injured in traffic crashes, highlighting the elevated risks riders face on the road.
These dangers are especially apparent in Denver and throughout Colorado, where motorcycle accidents continue to make up a disproportionate share of serious and fatal collisions.
National Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Motorcycles represent only 3% of registered vehicles nationwide but account for 15% of all traffic fatalities. In 2023, 6,335 motorcyclists died in crashes. Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are approximately 28 times more likely to die than passenger vehicle occupants. They are also five times more likely to sustain injuries.
With over 80,000 cyclists injured in crashes among 8 to 9 million registered motorcycles annually over the past decade, the risk is real and quantifiable.
Colorado and Denver Motorcycle Crash Data
Colorado’s motorcycle accident statistics paint a concerning picture. In 2024, 165 motorcyclists were killed, the highest number ever recorded, representing a 57% increase over the past decade. Motorcycle fatalities accounted for 24% of all traffic deaths in Colorado despite motorcycles comprising just 3% of vehicles on the road.
The Denver metro area’s dense traffic and busy intersections create numerous conflict points where crashes commonly occur. Over the past 12 years, the city of Denver has seen 148 fatal motorcycle crashes.
What Contributes to the High Accident Rate?
Several factors explain why motorcycles face disproportionately high accident rates:
- Size and visibility: Motorcycles are smaller than cars, making them harder for drivers to see.
- Lack of protective structure: Riders have minimal crash protection compared to enclosed vehicles.
- Speed involvement: According to NHTSA data, 36% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding.
- Alcohol impairment: Approximately 26% of motorcyclists killed had blood alcohol concentrations at or above the legal limit.
- Driver failure to detect: Other drivers frequently fail to notice motorcyclists before turning or changing lanes.
Speed plays a major role in motorcycle accidents. Riders aged 21 to 24 showed the highest involvement in speeding at 54% in fatal crashes.
Helmet Use and Safety Equipment
Helmet use dramatically affects survival rates. Helmets are between 37–42% effective in preventing motorcycle deaths, and riders without a helmet are three times more likely to suffer a severe brain injury than helmeted riders. Despite these statistics, nearly half of the motorcyclists killed in Colorado crashes last year were not wearing helmets.
Protective gear beyond helmets also reduces the severity of injuries—essential safety equipment includes:
- DOT-compliant helmets
- Leather or abrasion-resistant jackets
- Full-finger gloves
- Sturdy over-the-ankle boots
- Impact-resistant pants or riding jeans with armor
- High-visibility or reflective clothing
Many riders forgo protective gear, especially during warm weather, significantly increasing their vulnerability in crashes.
Urban Versus Rural Riding Risks
Location affects crash patterns significantly in urban areas like Denver. Dense traffic and busy intersections create numerous conflict points. Intersection-related crashes represent a substantial portion of urban motorcycle fatalities.
Rural riding presents different hazards than in urban settings:
- Open roads allow higher speeds but may feature sharp curves.
- Limited shoulders provide less room to escape and avoid collisions.
- Maintenance may occur less frequently, which can impact road conditions.
Left-turn accidents account for many fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involving another vehicle. These occur when a car turns left across a motorcycle’s path. The turning driver often claims they didn’t see the bike, a phenomenon experts call inattentional blindness, where drivers look but fail to register the presence of motorcycles.
Contact Our Denver Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Motorcycle crashes place riders at high risk of serious injury, especially in dense traffic areas like Denver. Understanding the data behind these accidents helps riders make informed decisions about training, safety gear, and defensive riding.
If you need legal help after a crash on your bike, call Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with our Denver motorcycle accident lawyers.
We are located in Denver, CO, proudly serving all of Denver County.
Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers
1610 Wynkoop Street, Suite 120
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 613 9706
