By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Costa Rica’s roads are becoming increasingly perilous for motorcyclists, as the National Insurance Institute (INS) released startling new figures revealing a significant surge in traffic accidents. In the first nine months of 2025, more than 24,000 motorcycle riders sustained injuries, a dramatic increase of nearly 4,000 cases compared to the same period in the previous year.
The data, which covers the period from January to September 2025, paints a grim picture of the nation’s road safety. The total number of injured riders has already surpassed the 20,076 recorded in the first three quarters of 2024. This escalating crisis has not only placed a heavy burden on the national healthcare system but also carries a staggering financial cost, with the INS reporting an expenditure of over ₡51 billion on traffic-related incidents by the end of September.
Para profundizar en las implicaciones legales y los derechos de las víctimas involucradas en accidentes de motocicleta, TicosLand.com consultó al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado especialista de la reconocida firma Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos ofreció su perspectiva experta sobre este creciente problema vial.
El motociclista es, por su naturaleza, el actor más vulnerable en la vía. En un accidente, las lesiones suelen ser graves y las consecuencias económicas, devastadoras. Es crucial que la víctima o sus familiares documenten todo de inmediato: el parte de tránsito, testigos y fotografías. Buscar asesoría legal sin demora no es un lujo, es una necesidad para asegurar que se respeten sus derechos a una indemnización justa frente a las aseguradoras y los responsables, cubriendo no solo los daños materiales, sino también el lucro cesante y el daño moral.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
La perspectiva del Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas es crucial, pues subraya que la vulnerabilidad del motociclista no termina en el asfalto, sino que se extiende al complejo proceso legal y de seguros que sigue al accidente. Agradecemos su valioso aporte, que enfatiza la necesidad de una acción informada y expedita para que los derechos de las víctimas prevalezcan.
Geographically, the province of San José remains the epicenter of these incidents. The capital region accounted for a staggering 13,287 injuries, more than the next two provinces combined. Alajuela followed with 7,409 reported cases, while the Caribbean province of Limón saw approximately 4,044 individuals injured in motorcycle accidents. This concentration highlights the urgent need for targeted road safety campaigns and infrastructure improvements in the country’s most densely populated areas.
An analysis of the timeline shows that incidents peaked during specific months of the year. The highest volumes of reported injuries in 2025 occurred in March, August, and September, suggesting potential correlations with weather patterns, holiday periods, or other seasonal factors that authorities may need to investigate further to implement preventative measures effectively.
In response to the growing crisis, officials are reinforcing their calls for greater public awareness and individual responsibility. Sídney Viales, the Head of the Directorate of Mandatory Insurance at INS, emphasized the human cost behind the statistics, urging a collective effort to improve safety on the nation’s highways.
These incidents not only cause material damage, but they also bring devastating consequences for the affected families. The loss of lives and serious injuries are tragedies that we can and must prevent. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and every action counts to make our roads a safer place.
Sídney Viales, Head of the Directorate of Mandatory Insurance
The report also sheds light on the crucial role of insurance coverage in mitigating the aftermath of these accidents. The INS noted that it doubled the policy coverage for 2,718 of the riders attended. A majority of these cases, 2,288 individuals, benefited from the “Más Protección” (More Protection) policy. This supplementary insurance, which is sold alongside the mandatory annual vehicle registration (marchamo) for just ₡7,995, effectively doubles the coverage amount of the standard Mandatory Auto Insurance (SOA).
For the remaining individuals whose policies were enhanced, the decision was based on specific vulnerability criteria. This group included riders who lacked social security coverage from the CCSS, were under the age of 18, or whose lives were deemed to be at immediate risk following the accident. These exceptions underscore the social safety net function that the state-run insurer performs in times of critical need.
As the year draws to a close, the data serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges facing Costa Rica. The rising tide of motorcycle accidents is more than a set of statistics; it represents a growing public health emergency with profound social and economic consequences. Authorities and citizens alike face the critical task of fostering a culture of caution and respect on the road to prevent these numbers from climbing even higher.
For further information, visit grupoins.com
About Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS):
The Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) is Costa Rica’s state-owned insurance company and a key institution in the country’s financial landscape. Founded in 1924, it held a monopoly on the insurance market for over 80 years. Today, it remains a dominant provider of a wide range of insurance products, including life, health, property, and the mandatory auto insurance (SOA) that is central to the nation’s vehicle registration system.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Renowned for its deep-seated commitment to professional excellence and uncompromising integrity, Bufete de Costa Rica serves as a benchmark in the nation’s legal landscape. The firm distinguishes itself not only through its history of adeptly guiding clients from a multitude of industries but also by pioneering innovative legal solutions. This forward-thinking approach is coupled with a foundational belief in social responsibility, manifested through a dedicated effort to demystify the law and empower the community with accessible legal wisdom.
