At Nicolet Law, we are committed to advocating for rider safety and raising awareness about the risks motorcyclists face on America’s roads. Our latest study reveals that Texas is the most dangerous state for motorcyclists, earning the highest risk score in the nation. By analyzing fatalities, speeding, impaired riding, weather conditions, and road quality, we created a Motorcyclist Risk Score to highlight which states present the greatest dangers for riders.
Motorcycle Fatalities on the Rise
We found that motorcycle fatalities have surged 26% over the last few years. In 2019, there were approximately 4,900 motorcycle deaths nationwide. By 2022, that number climbed to over 6,200 fatalities, the highest yet recorded. This alarming trend shows us the importance of understanding where and why riders face the greatest risks.
Motorcycle Fatalities Surge (2019 vs 2022)
How We Measured Motorcyclist Risk
To determine which states are most dangerous, we examined multiple factors:
- Fatal crashes per 100,000 motorcycles
- Number of riders killed vs. riders involved in crashes
- Speeding-related fatalities
- Alcohol and drug impairment
- Annual rainfall and weather conditions
- Road quality and roughness scores
By combining these factors, we created a comprehensive Motorcyclist Risk Score to rank all 50 states.
Here is the summary of the findings:
| State | Avg. Involved in Fatal Crashes per 100K Motorcycles | Avg. Fatalities per 100K Motorcycles | Avg. Precipitation (inches) | Road Roughness Score | Motorcyclist Risk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 148 | 133 | 25.4 | 12.2 | 99 |
| Louisiana | 121 | 109 | 58.9 | 17.8 | 77 |
| South Carolina | 120 | 107 | 50.1 | 7.2 | 75 |
| Arkansas | 134 | 118 | 56.7 | 11.4 | 72 |
| Missouri | 130 | 115 | 44.0 | 6.4 | 71 |
| Tennessee | 118 | 106 | 59.0 | 6.2 | 64 |
| Florida | 113 | 100 | 54.9 | 3.4 | 60 |
| Mississippi | 108 | 97 | 61.9 | 10.2 | 55 |
| Nevada | 96 | 88 | 10.1 | 5.8 | 54 |
| Arizona | 99 | 90 | 11.4 | 8.8 | 53 |
You can find the full research findings by following this link.
The 10 Most Dangerous States for Motorcyclists
1. Texas Motorcycle Accident Risk Score: 99
Texas ranks as the most dangerous state for motorcyclists. For every 100,000 motorcycles, 148 riders are involved in fatal crashes, and 133 are killed. Speeding alone accounts for 60 deaths per 100,000 motorcycles, the highest nationwide. Texas also records widespread impaired riding, further increasing the danger.
2. Louisiana Motorcycle Accident Risk Score: 77
Louisiana follows closely behind, with 109 deaths per 100,000 motorcycles. Riders also contend with poor infrastructure and weather: the state averages 59 inches of rain annually and has the roughest roads in the country, earning a road quality score of 17.8.
3. South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Risk Score: 75
South Carolina nearly ties Louisiana with 107 deaths per 100,000 motorcycles. The state also has one of the highest rates of impaired riding, with 18 alcohol or drug-related motorcycle fatalities per 100,000.
4. Arkansas Motorcycle Accident Risk Score: 72
Arkansas riders face high fatal crash involvement (134 per 100,000 motorcycles) and heavy rainfall, averaging 56.7 inches annually. The combination of wet conditions and rider risk contributes to its fourth-place ranking.
5. Missouri Motorcycle Accident Risk Score: 71
Missouri’s greatest threat comes from speeding, which causes 50 motorcyclist deaths per 100,000, the second-highest in the U.S. In total, 149 riders lose their lives each year.
6. Tennessee Motorcycle Accident Risk Score: 64
Tennessee records 106 fatalities per 100,000 motorcycles, alongside 118 riders involved in fatal crashes. It's nearly 60 inches of rainfall per year, making conditions even more treacherous.
7. Florida Motorcycle Accident Risk Score: 60
Florida, long known for dangerous driving, sees 100 rider deaths per 100,000 motorcycles. Heavy rainfall (55 inches annually) and impaired driving (13 deaths per 100,000 motorcycles) contribute to its ranking.
8. Mississippi Motorcycle Accident Risk Score: 55
Mississippi is the wettest state on the list, averaging 62 inches of rain annually. Poor road conditions also add to the danger, with 50 riders killed on average each year per 100,000 motorcycles (due to the roughly 50k registered bikes).
9. Nevada Motorcycle Accident Risk Score: 54
Nevada’s primary risk comes from speeding. 32 motorcycle fatalities per 100,000 are linked directly to excessive speed — one of the highest rates in the nation.
10. Arizona Motorcycle Accident Risk Score: 53
Arizona closes out the top 10 with 90 fatalities and 99 riders involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 motorcycles. Unlike southern states, the biggest issue here is impaired riding, with 25 DUI-related deaths.
What This Means for Riders
Our findings show a clear trend: southern states dominate the list of the most dangerous places for motorcyclists. Weather conditions, poor infrastructure, impaired riding, and speeding all play critical roles in increasing risks.
As our president, Russell Nicolet, explained:
“The conversation about motorcycle safety often stops at accident numbers, but the real issue runs deeper. Riding represents freedom for many, yet it also exposes gaps in how we design roads, educate drivers, and prepare communities for shared responsibility. Until safety is viewed not as an individual rider’s burden but as a collective cultural and infrastructural priority, motorcyclists will remain uniquely vulnerable.”
Protecting Motorcyclists: Our Mission at Nicolet Law
At Nicolet Law, we know that motorcycle accidents can have devastating consequences. Riders are often left with catastrophic injuries, financial burdens, and emotional trauma. We fight to ensure injured motorcyclists and their families get the compensation they deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, we are here to help. Contact our Wisconsin motorcycle accident lawyers, Minnesota motorcycle accident lawyers, or advocates in North Dakota or Iowa today for a free consultation.