Driving or riding on a motorcycle is an exciting, liberating experience, especially with the beautiful weather of San Diego to make the ride that much more pleasurable. Riding also carries real risk: NHTSA counted 522 motorcyclist deaths in California in 2024, and per mile traveled, motorcyclists died at almost 27 times the rate of passenger car occupants. Although the California Vehicle Code Section 27803 requires that everyone on a motorcycle wears a helmet, this important safety regulation has not, and will not, prevent every serious injury or death in a motorcycle crash.
If you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, contact us now to learn about the legal options available to you in order to seek financial compensation. While no amount of money will be able to help the pain and loss that you have suffered as a result of this accident, it will be able to help you focus on getting your life back on track without needing to worry about being financially liable for any of the expenses or costs related to the accident and the death.
Read more below to get a basic idea of some statistics about motorcycle deaths in California, and contact us as soon as possible to schedule a free initial consultation. We will be happy to explain how we can help you through this difficult time by giving you the legal advice, support, and representation.
California Motorcycle Fatality Statistics
According to NHTSA’s Motorcycles: 2024 Data fact sheet, the newest federal figures, 522 motorcyclists were killed in California traffic crashes in 2024. Only Florida (642) and Texas (583) had more. Nationally, 6,228 motorcyclists were killed in 2024, 2.2 percent fewer than in 2023, and an estimated 86,887 were injured.
Per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, the 2024 motorcyclist fatality rate (28.00) was almost 27 times the rate for passenger car occupants (1.05), according to the same NHTSA report.
California requires every rider and passenger to wear a DOT-compliant helmet (Vehicle Code section 27803). Of the 522 motorcyclists killed in California in 2024, 471 (90 percent) were wearing helmets, 39 (7 percent) were not, and helmet use was unknown for 12.
Alcohol is a major factor. NHTSA reports that 26 percent of the 507 motorcycle riders killed in California in 2024 had a blood alcohol concentration of .08 g/dL or higher.
Motorcycle Safety
In many accidents, even the safest and most defensive motorcycle driver may be the victim of either careless or reckless driving on behalf of drivers in cars around them. There are many different reasons for death statistics motorcycle accidents, including the small amount of space that a motorcycle takes up in a driver’s visual awareness, and how easily a motorcycle can be lost in a blind spot while changing lanes or taking a turn across an intersection. That said, there are a variety of precautions that a motorcycle rider can take in order to increase their chances of safety in the event of a crash, regardless of who is at fault for the actual accident.
Wear Proper Protection
This includes a helmet that meets the federal motorcycle helmet safety standard (49 C.F.R. § 571.218, Motorcycle Helmets), but should additionally include motorcycle body armor such as a jacket and pants with additional protection from impacts and road rash. There are a variety of protection options beyond helmets, pants, and jackets, including boots, neck, chest, and back braces, wrist guards, and more.
Don’t Drink and Drive
As noted above, 26 percent of motorcycle riders killed in California in 2024 were at or above .08 g/dL. By avoiding driving a motorcycle after drinking, you are increasing your safety by a significant amount. In addition, if you are involved in an accident and it is found that your own alcohol impairment was the cause, then you have little chance of recovering damages from the other insurance.
Follow The Rules
Driving a motorcycle can be invigorating and exciting, but even though they are fast and nimble it is no reason to violate traffic laws. When you are driving above the speed limit, you are not only at risk because of your own possible loss of control but more likely you are at risk because other drivers are not expecting such a fast-moving vehicle in their lanes of travel. This is just one reason why speed is a major factor in motorcycle and car accidents worldwide.
Motorcycle accident FAQ
Is lane splitting legal in California?
Yes. California law recognizes lane splitting (Cal. Veh. Code § 21658.1). Whether it was done safely can still be a factor in deciding fault.
Who can file a claim if a motorcyclist is killed?
Certain family members, such as a spouse, domestic partner, or children, may bring a wrongful death claim (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 377.60). The deadline is generally two years from the date of death (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1).
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?
Often, yes. California follows pure comparative fault, so any recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault but is not automatically barred.