Kentucky Motorcycle Accident Statistics 2024

Motorcycle accidents remain a significant concern on Kentucky’s roads, with data from the Kentucky State Police providing a closer look at crash trends across the state in 2024. This report highlights where these accidents occurred, identifying the counties with the highest number of collisions, injuries, and fatalities, as well as the most common manners of collision contributing to these incidents.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, a Kentucky motorcycle accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and seek the compensation you deserve.

Kentucky Counties with the Most Motorcycle Collisions in 2024

Data from the Kentucky State Police shows that Jefferson County had the most motorcycle collisions in Kentucky, with 260 incidents (15.68%), followed by Fayette County with 97 (5.85%). Hardin, Warren, and Kenton counties reported 3-4% of total crashes, while Boone, McCracken, Daviess, Campbell, and Christian counties each had 1.69%-3.38%.

Kentucky Counties with the Most Motorcycle Accident Injuries in 2024

Jefferson County had the most motorcycle injuries in Kentucky (200, 16.76%), followed by Fayette (62, 5.20%). Other counties with notable injury numbers include Hardin, McCracken, Boone, and Daviess, each contributing 2-4% of total injuries.

Kentucky Counties with the Most Motorcycle Accident Deaths in 2024

Jefferson County had the most motorcycle fatalities in Kentucky with 19 deaths (18.27%), followed by Fayette with six deaths (5.77%). Several counties, including Laurel, Hardin, and McCracken, reported four fatalities (3.85%). Other counties with notable fatalities include Warren, Pike, and Boyd.

Overview of Kentucky Motorcycle Accidents By County

Jefferson County Has the Highest Number of Collisions, Fatalities, and Injuries

• Collisions: Jefferson County leads with 15.68% of all motorcycle accidents (260 crashes), likely due to its high population and traffic volume.
• Fatalities: It also has the highest number of fatalities, accounting for 18.27% of all deaths (19 fatalities).
• Injuries: Jefferson County is responsible for 16.76% of all injuries (200 injuries), reinforcing its prominence in accident statistics.

Fayette and Hardin Counties Have Notable Accident Rates

• Fayette County: With 5.85% of collisions (97 crashes), it also has a significant share of fatalities (5.77%, 6 deaths) and injuries (5.20%, 62 injuries).
• Hardin County: Hardin ranks third in collisions (3.86%, 64 crashes), fatalities (3.85%, 4 deaths), and injuries (3.69%, 44 injuries), showing it as a county of concern for motorcyclist safety.

Smaller Counties Contribute to a Share of Fatalities

• Fatalities in Laurel, McCracken, and Christian: These counties account for 4.80% (5 deaths), 3.85% (4 deaths), and 3.85% (4 deaths) of fatalities, despite having fewer total accidents, suggesting these crashes may be particularly severe.
• Smaller Counties’ Impact on Injuries: McCracken and Boone also stand out for injuries, each contributing 3.27% (39 injuries), emphasizing that crashes in less populated areas can still lead to significant harm.

Kentucky Motorcycle Accidents by Collision Type in 2024

In 2024, single-vehicle motorcycle crashes were the most common, making up 44.81% of accidents. Angle collisions followed at 20.20%, and rear-end collisions at 13.33%. Other accident types included sideswipes (7.90%), head-ons (4.46%), and opposing left-turn crashes (4.04%).

This chart below visually represents how motorcycle accidents happened in 2024 by manner of collision.

Kentucky Motorcycle Accident Injuries by Collision Type in 2024

In 2024, single-vehicle crashes caused the most motorcycle accident injuries in Kentucky, accounting for 49.96% (596 injuries). Angle collisions followed with 20.62% (246 injuries), and rear-end crashes at 9.81% (117 injuries). Other crash types included sideswipes (5.62%), head-ons (5.36%), and opposing left-turn crashes (5.28%).

Kentucky Motorcycle Accident Deaths by Collision Type in 2024

In 2024, most motorcycle accident fatalities in Kentucky were due to single-vehicle crashes (40.38%, 42 deaths), followed by angle collisions (25%, 26 deaths) and opposing left-turn accidents (10.58%, 11 deaths). Other notable causes included head-ons (9.62%, 10 deaths) and sideswipes (8.65%, 9 deaths).

2024 Overview of Kentucky Motorcycle Accidents by Collision Type

Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Crashes Are the Most Common and Deadly

• Single-vehicle crashes represent 44.81% of all motorcycle accidents.
• These crashes are also responsible for 40.38% of deaths, highlighting their severity.
• Single-vehicle crashes cause 49.96% of injuries, making them the primary contributor to motorcycle crash injuries in Kentucky.

Angle and Opposing Left Turn Motorcycle Crashes Pose Significant Risks

• Angle collisions make up 20.20% of all motorcycle accidents.
• These crashes are the second most deadly, accounting for 25% of deaths.
• They also contribute to 20.62% of injuries, indicating that they are both common and dangerous.

The high rates of single-vehicle crashes and angle accidents highlight the need for improved road safety and increased awareness of traffic conditions, particularly at intersections. Additionally, the significant injury and fatality rates in rear-end and head-on collisions emphasize the importance of safer driving practices for all road users, including maintaining proper distance between vehicles to help prevent accidents.

Kentucky Roads with the Most Motorcycle Collisions in 2024

In 2024, the following roadways experienced the highest number of motorcycle collisions across various counties. US 60 in Carter County recorded the most motorcycle collisions with 19. Jefferson County had three high-collision roads: Bardstown Road (17 collisions), Preston Highway (14 collisions), and Dixie Highway (13 collisions).

County	Roadway Name	Collisions
CARTER	US 60	19
JEFFERSON	BARDSTOWN RD	17
JEFFERSON	PRESTON HWY	14
JEFFERSON	DIXIE HWY	13
FAYETTE	NEW CIRCLE RD	12
BULLITT	I65 S	11
WEBSTER	US 41	10
KENTON	I75 N	9
PENDLETON	US 27	9
BOONE	US 42	9

2024 Overview of Kentucky Roads with the Most Motorcycle Accidents

High-Collision Areas in Jefferson County

Three of the most collision-prone roads for motorcycle accidents are in Jefferson County (Bardstown Road, Preston Highway, and Dixie Highway), indicating a higher risk for drivers in this area. Urban congestion and high traffic volume could be contributing factors.

Major Highways See Frequent Collisions

US 60, I-65 South, I-75 North, and US 41 are major routes with significant collision counts. High-speed travel, heavy commercial vehicle presence, and frequent merging areas might increase accident risks.

Carter County’s US 60 is the Most Dangerous

With 19 motorcycle accidents, US 60 in Carter County had the highest reported incidents, possibly due to road design, traffic flow, or high-speed limits.

Urban vs. Rural Collision Trends

Urban areas like Jefferson and Fayette Counties have high-collision roads, likely due to dense traffic and intersections, while rural highways (US 27 in Pendleton County and US 42 in Boone County) also report notable crash numbers, possibly due to higher speeds and fewer traffic controls.