Motorcycle crashes can take a life in a moment. The lack of protection against an impact, weight of oncoming traffic and other conditions make motorcycle collisions particularly likely to be deadly.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a motorcycle accident, you’re aware that you can make a claim for compensation when the other driver is at fault. What you may not have been aware of is that these accidents are on the rise in Florida, putting you and others at risk of further accidents.
Motorcycle safety has not progressed much nationwide. In fact, a drop in motorcycle fatalities in 2009 has recently been upended with a rise in 2011. The initial fatality count in 2009 was 4,200. However, by 2011, the number of fatalities had risen to just under 5,000.
Why is this increase in fatalities happening? Warmer weather and higher gas prices could mean that more motorcyclists are on the road. Motorcycles are, if nothing else, a much cheaper alternative to traditional automobiles like cars and trucks.
The problem with the increase in motorcycle riders can be that more people get hurt. This alone could show why the number of fatalities has risen instead of declining overall. The facts state that for every mile you travel on a motorcycle, you’re 30 times more likely to be killed than if you were in a car. On top of that, Florida laws don’t require motorcyclists to wear helmets. Visibility is also key to safety. Drivers may not be paying attention to motorcyclists on the roads, but standing out can help make you visible to others.
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident by a reckless or negligent driver, it’s advisable to find out what your legal options are.
Source: The Tampa Tribune, “Florida motorcycle deaths on the rise,” Ray Reyes, accessed Oct. 01, 2015
