A recent analysis of Florida motorcycle accidents published by law firm Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner took a closer look at the most dangerous state for motorcyclists – Florida. This fact has been established for years due to the extremely high number of fatal crashes per number of residents, particularly in Daytona Beach where an annual motorcycle event takes place.

Using data from the NHTSA and FLHSMV, the study examined a variety of factors including helmet use, location, and alcohol impairment. Below are some of the key findings.

Accidents & Injuries: Overview

Motorcycle Accidents & Injuries in Florida

  • In Florida, motorcycle accidents and injuries slightly decreased from 2018 to 2019 and again from 2019 to 2020. However, fatal motorcycle accidents increased slightly each year.
  • In 2019, Florida accounted for 11% of fatal motorcycle accidents in the U.S., making it the state with the most fatalities that year. Florida also accounted for 9% of motorcycle accident injuries. 
  • Non-incapacitating injuries were the most common result of motorcycle crashes in 2020, for both drivers and passengers in Florida.

Florida Counties

While Miami-Dade is the county with the highest number of fatal crashes, Volusia County has a higher than average percentage of fatalities. This could be because Daytona Beach is located in Volusia County. Lee County is one of the 10 largest counties but did not make the list, meaning it has a lower than average percentage of fatalities.

Top 10 Florida Counties with Most Motorcycle Accidents

Helmet Use

  • The study shows the breakdown of helmet use per type of injury. It also shows that motorcycle passengers who were involved in an accident were less likely to be wearing a helmet than drivers.
  • In 2019, of the fatal motorcycle accidents where helmet use was known, 52% of motorcycle fatalities in Florida involved a driver with no helmet. The state with the highest percentage of unhelemted fatalities was Iowa with 80%.
  • In 2020, 265 motorcycle drivers died while wearing a DOT-compliant helmet. There were also 231 fatalities where no helmet was worn.

Alcohol Impairment

Compared to the rest of the United States, Florida was surprisingly more than halfway down the list of alcohol-impaired fatalities.

  • Despite its high number of accidents, Florida is tied for 32nd place with 27% of fatal accidents involving an intoxicated driver.
  • Rhode Island had the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired motorcycle drivers with 64%.
Rank State Total # Fatalities BAC .08+ % of Fatalities with BAC .08+
1 Rhode Island 11 7 64%
2 Iowa 38 17 44%
2 Massachusetts 44 20 44%
4 Wyoming 12 5 43%
5 Montana 22 9 42%
6 Connecticut 43 18 41%
7 West Virginia 27 11 39%
8 Idaho 24 9 37%
8 Illinois 131 48 37%
8 Texas 400 147 37%
11 New Jersey 79 28 36%
12 Virginia 93 32 35%
13 Delaware 15 5 34%
13 Kansas 36 12 34%
13 Louisiana 85 29 34%
13 Minnesota 41 14 34%
17 Ohio 148 49 33%
18 North Dakota 9 3 32%
18 South Carolina 140 45 32%
20 Alabama 90 27 30%
20 Colorado 93 28 30%
20 Maine 25 8 30%
20 Michigan 126 38 30%
20 Nebraska 24 7 30%
20 New Mexico 49 15 30%
26 Indiana 120 35 29%
26 New Hampshire 27 8 29%
26 Washington 89 26 29%
26 Wisconsin 79 23 29%
30 Oregon 53 15 28%
30 Tennessee 147 42 28%
32 Arizona 169 46 27%
32 California 451 123 27%
32 District of Columbia 3 1 27%
32 Florida 559 149 27%
36 Hawaii 20 5 26%
36 Nevada 55 14 26%
36 New York 129 33 26%
39 Alaska 4 1 25%
39 Maryland 71 18 25%
39 Oklahoma 66 17 25%
42 Missouri 120 29 24%
42 Pennsylvania 166 39 24%
44 Georgia 164 38 23%
44 North Carolina 203 48 23%
46 Mississippi 37 8 22%
47 Utah 34 7 21%
48 Arkansas 58 12 20%
49 Kentucky 83 16 19%
50 Vermont 7 1 16%
51 South Dakota 14 2 15%

Motorcycle Accident Prevention

No matter what state you live in, if you will be operating a motor vehicle, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings. Motorcyclists are at a high risk for injury and death due to the lack of protection that motorcycles provide. Without the safety net of a metal frame or airbags, it is crucial that motorcycle riders and drivers who share the road take extra care. If you are a motorcyclist, make sure to always use a helmet – ideally a DOT compliant one – as well as reflective gear, gloves, and thick clothes. If you are a car driver, always check your blind spots before changing lanes. It is the responsibility of everyone on the road to drive safe.