Key Takeaways
- Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, Georgia motorcyclists have two years from the crash date to file a personal-injury claim.
- O.C.G.A. § 40-6-315 mandates DOT-approved helmets for every rider and passenger; eye protection is also required when the motorcycle has no windshield.
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed nationally in 2023 (15% of all traffic deaths) — the highest annual total on record.
- Lane-splitting and lane-sharing are illegal in Georgia under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-312. Adjusters frequently raise this rule even when the rider was not splitting.
In this article, our team of motorcycle accident lawyers review and explain some of the most important Georgia motorcycle accident statistics.
There is no doubt that there can be many benefits to riding a motorcycle. You spend less on gas than you would in a car or truck and you have better maneuverability and agility on the roadway. No to mention the fact that you get to feel the wind and fresh air every time you are out riding.
However, as we all know, there are some dangers to riding motorcycles that make them a more dangerous way to get around town. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents happen very often and they can be very serious and even fatal. If you have been injured, understanding the damages available in a motorcycle accident is an important first step.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-21
Open air equals less protection
The sad truth of motorcycle riding is that one of the things that can make it so fun and freeing is the very same thing that can make is so dangerous: exposure.
On your motorcycle, whether it is 2-wheeled or a trike, you have less protection than a passenger vehicle in the event of a crash. In other words, you are more exposed to the roadway and other vehicles in the event of a crash.
Additionally, motorcycles are much, much smaller than cars and trucks. This means that bikers have a higher chance of serious injury or death in the event of an accident.
Regardless of the risk that they may pose, motorcycles have a right to be on Georgia roadways just like every other vehicle. However, it can be beneficial for motorcycle riders to understand the statistics in Georgia about motorcycle accidents in order to be better informed about the dangers they might face.
We hope these statistics will assist bikers to ride as safely as possible and exercise caution when riding.
Georgia Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The statistics we are using were published form the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). This organization provides motorcycle accident statistics by year in each state. The statistics provided by the NHTSA include:
- Number of people killed in motorcycle crashes
- Which age groups are affected by motorcycle accidents
- Helmet use
- Accidents involving alcohol
- And much more
The figures below come from NHTSA's Traffic Safety Facts — Motorcycles: 2023 Data (published July 2025), the most recent national fact sheet, supplemented by the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety's 2022 Georgia Motorcycle Traffic Safety Facts. This information deals with motorcycle accident statistics for all U.S. states, including Georgia.
Motorcycle Crash Statistics in Georgia
The following are some introductory stats for motorcycle accidents in the entire United States for the year 2023:
- There were a total of 6,335 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes.
- Motorcyclists accounted for 15 percent of all traffic deaths and 20 percent of all motor vehicle occupant (driver and passenger) deaths on the roadways
- Out of the motorcyclist fatalities, 95 percent were riders and 5 percent were passengers
Georgia Motorcycle Fatalities and Helmet Use
There were 196 motorcyclist fatalities in Georgia in 2023. Based on known helmet use, 178 of the 196 riders — 91 percent — were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Georgia's 2022 total of 221 motorcyclist fatalities was the highest ever recorded for the state.
In Georgia, helmet use among motorcyclists involved in crashes resulted in an estimated 117 lives saved; the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety estimates that, if every Georgia motorcyclist had worn a helmet, an additional 7 lives would have been saved. Studies show that helmets can prevent around 37 percent of motorcycle accident deaths for riders and around 41 percent of deaths for motorcycle passengers.
Georgia law requires that every motorcycle rider must wear a helmet while riding. Mark Wade, Managing Partner of Georgia Auto Law, points out that insurers routinely try to discount a rider's claim over helmet or gear questions, so documenting DOT-approved helmet use at the scene is one of the most valuable things an injured motorcyclist can do to protect a recovery.
Georgia Motorcycle Deaths and Alcohol Use
The following statistics examine the effect of alcohol use related to motorcyclists killed in Georgia:
- Of the total number of motorcyclists killed in Georgia in 2023, 26% had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .01 g/dL or higher
- 21% of motorcyclists killed had a BAC of .08 g/dL or more (.08 g/dL is the legal limit in Georgia under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391)
- 13% had a BAC of .15 g/dL or more
When it comes to alcohol, motorcyclists are more likely to be involved in an alcohol related motorcycle crash. In fact, motorcyclists that were injured or killed in crashes in Georgia were more likely to be under the influence of alcohol than any other type of motor vehicle driver. This includes drivers of passenger cars, truck drivers, and tractor trailer drivers.
Motorcycle accident fatalities by age
Motorcycle riders that are killed generally are above the age of 40. The average age of motorcyclists killed nationwide was 41 in 2023, and roughly half of those killed were over the age of 40.
What are the common types of motorcycle crashes?
Over half of all deadly motorcycle accidents involve another motor vehicle. In 2023, collisions with another motor vehicle in transport were the most harmful event for 60 percent of the motorcycles in fatal crashes.
Here are some statistics regarding locations of impact and type of collision, drawn from two-vehicle fatal crashes in 2023:
- In two-vehicle fatal crashes, 79 percent of the motorcycles were impacted on the front
- Only 6% of motorcycles in two-vehicle fatal crashes were impacted on the rear
- In 46 percent of fatal two-vehicle crashes, the other vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking
- In 21 percent of fatal two-vehicle crashes, both the other vehicle and the motorcycle were traveling straight
Motorcycle accidents can also involve fixed objects as opposed to other cars on the road. In fact, motorcycles are more frequently involved in fatal collisions with fixed objects than other vehicle types. In 2023, 24% of motorcycles in fatal crashes struck a fixed object, compared with 16 percent for passenger cars, 12 percent for light trucks, and 4 percent for large trucks.
Speeding-Related Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles are fast, it is no surprise that many fatal motorcycle accidents involve excessive speed. In 2023, 36 percent of motorcycle riders in fatal crashes were speeding. Compare this to 22 percent for passenger car drivers.
“Speeding” related accident means that the responding officer found that the operator was driving too fast for the conditions at the time of the crash. This would include a collision where the driver received a citation for a speeding offense.
Motorcycle Crashes Related to Time of Day
Because of the social nature of motorcycle riding, weekend and nighttime riding carries a disproportionate share of fatal motorcycle crashes. In 2023, 47 percent of motorcyclists killed died on weekends, which cover only 2.5 days of the week.
These statistics also go hand and hand with alcohol related accidents. Riders killed at night were two and a half times more likely to be alcohol-impaired than those killed during the day (38% vs. 15%), and 44 percent of motorcycle riders killed in single-vehicle crashes on weekends were alcohol-impaired.
**Have You Been Injured in a Georgia Motorcycle Accident? **
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident in Georgia, we can help you. Georgia Auto Law is the leading motorcycle accident law firm in Georgia. Our team handles only motorcycle, car, and truck accidents. So, you can rest easy knowing that you have a dedicated motorcycle accident expert working on your case at all times.
Our team at Georgia Auto Law specializes in motorcycle accidents, and we help motorcycle accident victims and their families every day. You are welcome to call one of our motorcycle attorneys at any time, day or night, at (404) 662-4949. You can also complete our consultation form, and one of our motorcycle accident lawyers will reach out to you within minutes. With our No Fee Pledge™ you pay nothing. We are here for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault?
Yes, as long as you are less than 50% at fault under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. At 50% or more, you recover nothing.
How long do I have to file a Georgia motorcycle-accident claim?
Two years from the date of the crash under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Wrongful-death claims share that deadline. Insurance claims should be opened much sooner — typically within days — but the legal filing deadline is the hard line.
Does Georgia require motorcyclists to wear helmets?
Yes. O.C.G.A. § 40-6-315 requires DOT-approved helmets for every rider and passenger. Eye protection is also required when the motorcycle has no windshield. Helmet non-use can be raised in comparative-fault analysis even when it had nothing to do with the cause of the crash.
Is lane-splitting legal in Georgia?
No. Lane-splitting and lane-sharing are illegal under Georgia law. Adjusters sometimes argue a rider was lane-splitting even when they were not — dashcam footage, witness statements, and lane-position photos are the standard counter-evidence.
