- In Arizona, 45.1% of motorcyclists involved in a fatal collision weren’t wearing a helmet at the time of collision.
- Of the 1,001 fatalities involving bikers recorded in the state over a five-year period, 451 were recorded as ‘no helmet’.
- Nationally, 39.6% of fatalities involved motorcyclists without helmets – meaning Arizona’s bikers are 14% more reckless.
A new analysis has revealed that more than two-fifths of motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes in Arizona weren’t wearing appropriate safety gear.
Pre-settlement legal funding company High Rise Financial analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to determine which states recorded the most motorcyclist fatalities between 2019 and 2023.
The data also identifies where the majority of killed motorcyclists weren’t wearing helmets at the time of collision, and therefore where bikers are the most reckless.
Arizona: Key Statistics
In Arizona, there were 1,001 fatal collisions involving motorcyclists between 2019 and 2023, equating to 17% of the total 5,830 road deaths recorded in the state.
Of these 1,001 killed motorcyclists, 451 weren’t wearing a helmet at the time of collision – meaning 45.1% of biker deaths involved riders who lacked this critical safety gear.
Considering that the national average rate of fatalities involving motorcyclists without helmets stands at 39.6% over the five-year period, bikers in Arizona are 14% more likely to ride without a helmet.
This is interesting given that the state has a marginally below-average motorcycle ownership rate, with 3,017 registered motorcycles per 100k residents – just 3% lower than the national average (3,113 registered bikes per 100k).
| Total Road Deaths (All Vehicle Types, 2019-2023) | Total Fatalities Involving Motorcyclists | Total Motorcyclist Fatalities Recorded ‘No Helmet’ | Percentage of Fatalities Recorded ‘No Helmet’ | Comparison to the National Average (39.6%) |
| 5,830 | 1,001 | 451 | 45.1% | 14% higher |
National Statistics
In terms of how Arizona’s biker safety – or lack thereof – compares to the rest of the U.S., the state ranks 24th for risk nationally, recording an above-average rate of killed motorcyclists recorded as ‘no helmet’ at the time of collision.
North Dakota is first, with 76.6% of biker deaths labeled as ‘no helmet’. Of the 77 total fatalities involving motorcyclists over the last five years, 59 were lacking the critical safety equipment.
Iowa takes second place, with 71.7% of motorcyclist fatalities involving bikers without a helmet. Of 297 fatalities involving bikers recorded between 2019 and 2023, 213 were recorded as ‘no helmet’.
Wisconsin ranks third, with 365 out of 523 fatalities recorded as ‘no helmet’, working out to 69.8%. In fourth is Ohio, where 69.6% of motorcyclists killed over the five-year period weren’t wearing a helmet at the time of collision (744 out of 1,069 fatalities).
Rounding out the top five states with the most reckless bikers is Indiana, as 69.1% of motorcyclists weren’t wearing a helmet when involved in a fatal crash. Of the 661 total fatalities involving bikers, this applied to 457.
The 10 states with the highest rate of ‘no helmet’ fatalities
| State | Total Fatalities Involving Motorcyclists (2019 – 2023) | Total Motorcyclist Fatalities Recorded ‘No Helmet’ | Percentage of Fatalities Recorded ‘No Helmet’ | |
| 1 | North Dakota | 77 | 59 | 76.6% |
| 2 | Iowa | 297 | 213 | 71.7% |
| 3 | Wisconsin | 523 | 365 | 69.8% |
| 4 | Ohio | 1,069 | 744 | 69.6% |
| 5 | Indiana | 661 | 457 | 69.1% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 345 | 234 | 67.8% |
| 7 | Kentucky | 517 | 343 | 66.3% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 153 | 101 | 66.0% |
| 9= | Maine | 128 | 83 | 64.8% |
| 9= | South Dakota | 105 | 68 | 64.8% |
| 10 | South Carolina | 746 | 477 | 63.9% |
At the other end of the scale, the state that recorded the lowest rate of motorcyclist deaths labeled ‘no helmet’ was Washington, at just 3.4%. Of 554 fatalities involving bikers, just 19 weren’t wearing a helmet at the time of collision.
Discussing the findings, a High Rise Financial spokesperson said:
“Understanding where motorcyclists are riding without helmets is critical to saving lives, especially when helmet use laws vary state to state. August is peak riding season and carries higher crash rates as a result, so stressing the importance of wearing appropriate safety equipment has never been more urgent.
“A helmet isn’t just gear – it’s life-saving equipment. To be fit for purpose, a helmet must meet certified safety standards like DOT, meaning it has a strong outer shell to deflect impact, an energy-absorbing liner to cushion, and a secure chin strap. If a helmet is too loose, cracked, or missing vital labels, it’s not doing its job.”
For more information: https://www.highriselegalfunding.com
