The Deadliest Times of Day for

motorcyclists?

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What Riders Need to Know

As Midwest motorcycle accident lawyers, we see firsthand the devastating impact that dangerous riding hours can have on motorcyclists and their families. A recent five-year analysis of fatal crash data reveals a clear pattern: evening hours are significantly more dangerous for riders than mornings or midday.

Key Findings on Motorcycle Crash Fatalities

  • 6 PM is the deadliest hour for motorcyclists, with 2,190 fatalities in five years.
  • Evening rides between 4 PM and 9 PM carry the highest risk, with speeding and impairment playing a significant role.
  • Motorcycles make up only 3% of vehicles but account for 14% of all U.S. traffic deaths
  • Speeding-related deaths double after 4 PM, compared to earlier in the day.
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Why Evening Riding Is So Dangerous

The evening rush hour creates a perfect storm: heavier traffic, reduced visibility, and fatigued drivers rushing home. When combined with alcohol or drug impairment, the risks skyrocket.

 






“Motorcycle safety depends on much more than just the rider’s skill level or the quality of their bike. The margin for error on two wheels is incredibly thin.”

– Russell Nicolet


Top 10 Deadliest Hours for Motorcyclists

Below is a breakdown of the most dangerous times of day for motorcyclists,
based on fatality data from 2019–2023.

Crash Time (Hour) Motorcyclist Fatalities (2019–2023) Motorcyclist Speeding Fatalities (2019–2023) Motorcyclist Alcohol/Drug Fatalities (2019–2023)
6:00pm–6:59pm 2,190 796 273
5:00pm–5:59pm 2,079 737 195
7:00pm–7:59pm 2,005 740 307
4:00pm–4:59pm 1,968 705 190
8:00pm–8:59pm 1,947 729 280
3:00pm–3:59pm 1,852 656 150
9:00pm–9:59pm 1,753 626 268
2:00pm–2:59pm 1,648 537 92
1:00pm–1:59pm 1,405 456 99
10:00pm–10:59pm 1,394 554 253

What This Means for Riders

As attorneys who work with motorcyclists across the Midwest, we know how quickly a routine ride can turn into a tragedy. The numbers make one thing clear: when you ride matters just as much as how you ride.

Here are a few key points to keep in mind:

  • Rethink Evening Commutes
    Traffic is at its worst during rush hour, and visibility begins to drop as the sun goes down. That combination makes the 4–7 PM window the most dangerous time to be on two wheels. If there’s a way to adjust your route or timing, it could lower your risk significantly.
  • Keep Speed in Check After Dark
    Wide-open roads at night can be tempting, but the crash data shows that speeding becomes far more deadly in the late afternoon and evening hours. A single misjudgment, combined with lower visibility, often leads to catastrophic results.
  • Be Extra Alert for Impaired Drivers
    Drunk and drug-impaired driving spikes between 7 PM and 10 PM. Even if you’re riding responsibly, other drivers on the road may not be. Defensive riding—keeping distance, anticipating sudden moves, and watching intersections—can save lives.
  • Make Yourself Seen
    Motorcycles are already less visible than cars, and that disadvantage grows at night. High-visibility jackets, reflective striping, and proper lighting aren’t just “extras”—they’re critical tools to help drivers spot you in time to react.

Small changes in timing, awareness, and visibility can make a major difference. Understanding when the risks are highest gives riders the power to make smarter decisions about when to ride, how fast to travel, and what precautions to take.

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How We Help After a Motorcycle Accident

When you’re in a bike crash, it throws your whole life off balance. One minute you’re riding, the next you’re in the hospital, wondering what just happened, and how you’re going to deal with everything coming at you, like doctor visits, bills, and missing work. It’s overwhelming. That’s why we do what we do. Our job is to step in, handle the fight, and make sure you’re not left trying to figure it out alone.

Here’s what we usually go after for our clients:

  • Medical bills, now and later
    The ER, surgeries, rehab, it adds up fast. And sometimes recovery takes months or years. We push to make sure you’re covered for the care you need, not just today, but down the road too.
  • Lost income
    Missing work hits hard, and for some folks, getting back to the same job isn’t even possible. We work to recover what you’ve already lost, and what you’ll lose in the future.
  • Pain and the everyday toll
    A crash doesn’t just beat you up physically. It changes your routine, your hobbies, even how you feel about riding again. Those things matter, and we fight to get them recognized.
  • For families dealing with loss
    Losing someone in a motorcycle wreck is about as tough as it gets. While no amount of money replaces them, a wrongful death claim can ease the financial side, covering funeral costs, income that’s now gone, and the future that suddenly looks different.

At the end of the day, no two cases are alike. We take the time to hear your story and figure out what you really need. You focus on getting better, we’ll take care of the fight.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, don’t face the insurance companies alone. Contact our team of Midwest motorcycle accident lawyers today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We proudly serve riders across Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Iowa, providing the experience, resources, and dedication it takes to secure justice.

Your recovery is our mission. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing.

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