Car Vs. Bicycle Accident Statistics – 2025 Updated

As it turns out, death rates start to spike as bike riders get older. Bike riders in their 60+ seem to be the most vulnerable. There may be a few explanations for that. First of all, older people have slower reaction times and become more physically fragile. At the same time, mature riders often neglect to use helmets and follow visibility rules.

However, driver deaths are a concerningly high among younger operators, in their 20s-30s. Such statistical data may be the direct reflection of practicing unsafe driving strategies, neglecting traffic laws, impairment, inexperience, and distractions.

Such visible patterns across both types of traffic participants indicate a clear need for better education for young drivers, safer bike paths, and even fitness evaluation for either group.

Bicycle vs Car Accident Statistics by Gender

For almost 50 years now, male crash deaths have held the dominant position, regardless of whether it refers to bicycle accidents or motor vehicle collisions. From 1975, traffic-related male fatalities decreased by only 6%.

The data from the table highlights that around 8.5 rider fatalities out of 10 are men. Among plausible reasons why the male death rates are so high would be higher exposure due to cycling under risky conditions and through dangerous environments. Also, demographics come into play, since many men use bicycles to commute in busy urban traffic.

Male driver fatalities are slightly lower than those of bike riders but still reflect a similar picture. This can be due to men representing a more substantial driving exposure. At the same time, the research proves that only 12% of female operators were speeding before an accident, as opposed to 20% of men. 

Also, 33% of male drivers killed in 2022 were operating under the influence of alcohol. The same data shows that only 24% of female drivers were fatally injured because of alcohol intoxication.

Monthly Trends in Car vs Bicycle Accident Statistics

Another factor that affects the number of bicycle accidents across the US is seasonality. Research conducted in 2023 reveals clear seasonal patterns in both motor vehicle crash deaths and bicyclist fatalities, which you may want to consider before going for a ride in summer, autumn, winter, or spring.

The midsummer to mid-autumn periods are the peak of cyclists’ deaths in America. While such a surge seems logical, given the increase in outdoor activities, longer days, and multiple hiking opportunities, it is best to keep the data in mind to stay clear of potential danger.

Unlike cyclist fatalities, which peak in the summer and early fall, motor vehicle crash deaths show a relatively even distribution throughout the year.

IMPORTANT! Since cyclist fatalities reflect seasonal volatility, local governments may want to invest in measures and efforts to improve bicyclists’ safety during the high-risk months.

Bicycle Accident Statistics by Time of Day

It may seem time-consuming and tiresome to delve as deeply as the depths of “time of the day” deadly crash data. However, the better you are aware of these risk windows, the easier it may be to avoid dangerous situations.

The table above clearly indicates that evening hours are the deadlines for cyclists. 41% of all fatalities occur from 6 p.m. to midnight. At the same time, the fatal car accident rate is significantly lower within the same time frame. This may be a direct impact of limited visibility caused by darker hours of the day, higher traffic volume, as well as reduced driver attention or even rush-hour road rage.

Interestingly, morning hours aren’t safe for bike riders, despite good visibility. This data can be explained by busy commuting. When it comes to nighttime, drivers are at risk. Few bicyclists ride during late hours, but drivers on the road at night are prone to speeding, driver fatigue, and impaired driving.

Fatalities in Traffic Accidents by Light Condition

In 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration decided to observe how the light conditions affect the fatality rate in traffic accidents. Here’s what they discovered.

The presented statistical data proves that the dark part of the day is the deadliest. Although general traffic volumes decrease during darker hours, the death rate hits a concerning 50%. Moreover, over half of all deadly incidents take place in areas that lack proper lighting.

Surely, daytime accidents can be as dangerous. However, the underlying cause here may be connected to increased traffic rather than limited visibility. It is important to note that a 2022 survey states that both nighttime and daytime fatalities dropped by 1.5% and 1.9%, respectively, in 2022.

IMPORTANT! Although the fatality rates drop at dawn and dusk. This time of day can be hazardous due to the natural glare and related conditions.

Weather-Related Traffic Accident Statistics

There’s a popular opinion that most accidents happen because of bad weather. However, the data proves that almost 90% of incidents take place when it is clear outside.

The fact that most crashes occur in dry and clear conditions indicates that weather may be a potentially contributing factor, but a minor one. Driver behavior and infrastructure have a major say in the fatality rate.

Both drivers and riders can enhance the safety of their travels by sticking to existing speed limits, avoiding distractions, and using necessary safety gear on the road.

Bike vs Car Accident Statistics by Speeding Involvement

The 2023 survey shows that the number of speed-related fatalities dropped by an impressive 3.1%. Yet, the overall picture remains the same — almost 1/3 of all deadly incidents are triggered by exceeding the speed limit.

According to one of the related studies, speeding is one factor that can multiply the odds of a fatal crash by three. This is especially true for bicycle accidents, as riders are often the least protected road users. For instance:

When driving at 40 mph, a driver has a 15% chance of contributing to a serious accident. At 50 mph, it triples and reaches 59%, while at 55 mph, the risk is as high as 78%.

At the same time, many drivers admit that they don’t mind exceeding the speed limit, no matter if they ride on the highway or through residential areas. As many as one in three motor vehicle operators state that they enjoy driving fast and practice it on a daily basis. 

What to Do After a Car Accident with a Bicycle?

Available bicycle accident statistics surely make you wonder about what happens if you hit a cyclist with your car. Surely, none of the bicycle crashes are the same, but there are a few effective and necessary steps you may want to take to ensure that the vulnerable road user remains as safe and protected as possible.

• Breathe out: Although bicycle accidents are often more traumatizing for the rider, as a driver, you should take a moment to calm down so that you can assess the situation clearly and provide the injured person with necessary assistance.
• Assess the rider’s condition: Take a quick scan of the bicyclist’s injuries to decide whether it is safe to move them. Keep in mind that such severe injuries as head, back, or internal organ trauma may not be visible. That is why you should ask the cyclist about whether they feel okay to move as well.
• Ensure safety: If the rider is badly hurt and can’t move, you have to mark the accident scene so that the rest of the traffic participants can spot it.
• Contact the emergency services: Even if you don’t see any serious injury, you should call 911 and report the accident. Both medical experts and the police will be able to assess the situation on a deeper and more professional level. Besides, a police report is always a valuable type of evidence to acquire.
• Call the insurance company: As you exchange contact and insurance information with the injured party, you should also notify your provider about the incident.
• Avoid unnecessary discussions: Seeing a person in distress, let alone pain, may prompt you to apologize out of mere politeness and sympathy. However, any words of apology or related statements can be used as an admission of fault, which won’t serve in your favor.

Who Is at Fault for Car Versus Bicycle Accidents?

Bike accidents involving cars aren’t always as black and white as they seem. In the majority of cases, bicycle crashes can have three potential at-fault parties:

Negligent Drivers

A vehicle operator is the major suspect in a cycling incident, and here’s why:

• Some drivers change lanes without looking out for riders. Such a maneuver can result in a collision, especially if the latter can’t ride on a sidewalk or dedicated lane.
• Many people still open their car doors without looking in the side mirrors. A suddenly opened door can send the biker into traffic or harm them in any other way.
• Since as many as 1 in 3 drivers like high-speed driving, it is safe to assume that some percentage of them treat existing traffic rules the same way. A failure to come to a halt at a stoplight, ignoring traffic lights and signs, often leads to serious cycling accidents.

Irresponsible Municipalities

Some bicycle accidents occur despite both the driver’s and rider’s vigilance. If the city ignores a pothole in the road, forgets to replace a sign, or invests in a poorly designed lane, the local government will be held liable for the damages the victim sustains.

Bicycle Riders

There’s room for a biker’s error in a bike accident. Primarily, a cyclist can be deemed accountable for an incident if they disobeyed traffic rules or misbehaved, which led to a traumatic outcome.

Conclusion

The world of bicycle accidents is overly complicated and multilayered. There’s no magic trick to use to avoid a harmful situation. However, these days we have the opportunity to assess existing traffic incident patterns and derive practical conclusions to stay out of harm’s way.

As you can see, any factor on the scale of time of day to vehicle type and operator’s age or gender can become a predetermining one in a case. Unrestricted access to such data can help an average rider either prevent a collision or, at the very least, know how to act in a situation like that and defend their rights.

Surely, leading the legal battle in the aftermath of a traumatic crash can be challenging and overwhelming. However, our bicycle vs car accident lawyers are always willing to offer a helping hand and take you through the labyrinth of the personal injury law system. If you or someone you love was injured in a bicycle accident, our experienced legal team is here to help you claim the compensation you deserve — with no upfront fees.

Helpful Resources

• NHTSA, Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic
• Fatalities in 2024
• NHTSA, Share the Road: It’s Everyone’s Responsibility
• NHTSA, The Economic and Societal Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes, 2019 (Revised)
• CDC, Transportation Safety
• NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts 2022
• NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts Research Notes
• FCC, The Dangers of Distracted Driving
• Traffic Safety Facts 2021
• National Library of Medicine, A Study of Bicycle and Passenger Car Collisions Based on Insurance Claims Data
• IIHS, Fatality Facts 2023, Passenger vehicle occupants
• IIHS, Fatality Facts 2023 Yearly snapshot
• IIHS, Fatality Facts 2023, Bicyclists
• NHTSA, Survey of Speeding Attributes and Behaviors

Posted by Robert Goldwater

Since his academic days at the UC Berkeley School of Law, Robert Goldwater has remained a committed advocate for victims of other people’s negligence. His tort law background, together with his unquenchable thirst for justice, helped young Robert found a now-successful law firm – Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group, gathering same-minded and promising attorneys from all over the country.

All articles by Robert Goldwater