Florida Has the Highest Fatal Motorcycle Accident Rate in the United States
Motorcycle accidents are extremely common in Florida, making up more than their fair share of all traffic accidents as compared to the number of motorcycles on the road at any given time. According to statistical reports from AAA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) , Florida has a higher rate of motorcycle fatalities than every other state in the country. Motorcycles represent 20 percent of all traffic accidents here, despite there being far fewer motorcycles on the road than cars.
According to a 2016 study published by NHTSA, there are between 500-600 fatal motorcycle accidents in Florida every year. The vast majority of the people killed were motorcycle riders, rather than drivers in other cars or pedestrians. Alcohol is a common factor in fatal accidents: 78 percent of the accidents involved someone with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of at least 0.01 percent or higher. Sixteen percent of the accidents involved someone with a BAC of at least 0.15 percent, well above the legal limit. Half of the deceased riders were wearing a helmet.
According to Florida state officials, in 2016, there were 10,331 motorcycle accidents across the state, leading to 515 deaths. Ninety-six of those crashes, including 77 injuries and two fatalities, occurred in Collier County. Six hundred thirty of those crashes, representing 508 injuries and 29 fatalities, happened in Orange County.
Damages Available After a Florida Motorcycle Crash
Motorcycle accidents are more severe on average than injuries that occur in the typical car crash. Even a minor accident involving a motorcycle can lead to serious injury . The motorcycle injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. help clients recover the maximum available damages from insurance carriers, drivers, other bikers, and additional liable parties after suffering a variety of motorcycle-related injuries.
Some of the more common injuries that occur in motorcycle crashes include:
- Head injury
- Bone fractures
- Traumatic brain injury
- Significant scarring and other disfigurement
- Spine, neck, back, and shoulder injuries
- Muscle strains and tears
- Loss of function of a limb or bodily organ
- “Road rash” and other cuts, scrapes, and burns
- Amputation and loss of limb
- Wrongful death
Florida Helmet Laws
Wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is extremely important, and we strongly recommend that all motorcycle-riding clients wear a functional helmet every time they ride. They should also supply any passengers with a good helmet. While a helmet will not stop all injuries, it can often be the difference between injury and death. Motorcycle helmets are not, however, required by law for all riders in Florida.
Under Florida law, all motorcycle riders under the age of 21 must legally wear a helmet. For riders aged 21 and older, helmets are not legally required so long as the rider carries medical insurance coverage of at least $10,000 to cover their injuries in the case of an accident. Florida law refers to federal safety guidelines that identify proper protective headgear that qualifies under Florida’s helmet laws. Despite the utility of helmets, according to NHTSA, over half of all motorcycle riders in Florida ride without a helmet.
Advice and Representation By Your Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a motorcycle accident in Naples, Orlando, Fort Myers, or throughout Florida, reach out to a seasoned and talented Florida motorcycle accident lawyer to learn whether you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The knowledgeable Florida motorcycle crash attorneys at The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. , will review your claims and help you build your strongest case for recovery. Call our Florida motorcycle accident attorneys today at 239-900-3255 for a free consultation.
