More than 600 people lost their lives in motorcycle accidents in Florida in 2015, making it the deadliest state for motorcyclists in the nation according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In Miami-Dade alone, which is listed as the county with the highest number of deaths, 67 people lost their lives as a result of a motorcycle accident that year. A lack of helmet use is cited as a contributing factor to the high number of deaths in this state, further proving that motorcycle safety and wearing a helmet are extremely important when choosing to operate a motorcycle on Florida roads.
Many Motorcycle Riders Lack Insurance and Don’t Wear Helmets
The average medical cost for a motorcyclist who is admitted to the hospital following a crash is an incredible $83,676. This number is startling considering the fact that about 15 percent of Florida riders do not carry insurance and there were over 9,000 injury-related crashes in the state in 2015. In addition to the lack of insurance on the roads, 80 percent of riders claim that they wear a helmet, despite the fact that less than half of riders in Florida were actually seen wearing one.
Considering the high rate of accidents, motorcyclists should consistently wear protective gear when riding a motorcycle including:
- Helmet
- Closed-toed shoes
- Sturdy long pants
- Long sleeved shirts or jackets
- Proper riding gloves
Take Precautions to Avoid Motorcycle Accidents
Riders are encouraged to take a motorcycle safety course to increase their knowledge of safe riding. Furthermore, successful completion of a course will also save riders some money on insurance.
When riding in traffic, motorcyclists should be sure that they are visible to cars around them and always use good judgment when riding on busy streets. Don’t assume that car drivers are always paying attention for motorcycles in their lanes and be sure to not drive up the centerline or weave in and out of traffic.
An injury-causing motorcycle accident can be extremely costly and Florida is a high-risk state for these types of accidents. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s important that you contact an attorney who specializes in assisting victims in these cases and who may be able to help you recover losses stemming from the accident.
References:
Donovan, B. (2017, March 09). Florida No. 1 most deadly state for motorcyclists; Duval among top 10 counties in state. Retrieved March 17, 2017, from http://actionnewsjax.com/news/local/florida-ranks-no-1-most-deadly-state-for-motorcyclists-duval-among-top-10-counties-in-state/501078304
Webteam, W. (2017, March 09). Florida leads the nation in motorcycle crash fatalities, government says. Retrieved March 17, 2017, from http://wptv.com/news/state/florida-leads-the-nation-in-motorcycle-crash-fatalities-government-says
