Did you know that the number of motorcycle crashes in Florida has doubled in the last 20 years?
This staggering statistic may come as a shock to you, however, there are so many other motorcycle accident statistics that center around Florida that are just as shocking.
There are so many ways to avoid motorcycle accidents, yet they still continue to happen. And this is likely because motorcycles are some of the more dangerous vehicles that are on the road.
So if you don’t want to give up riding a motorcycle, it’s important to know the stats so that you can be more aware. It’s also important to know the ways that you can be safe on the road to avoid accidents to the best of your ability.
Ready to learn more about this? Keep reading for all the information.
Bike Week Accident Statistics
Did you know that Daytona holds the world’s largest motorcycle event? It’s called Daytona Bike Week. In 2023, this was the 82nd Bike Week event. Over 500,000 motorcycle riders went to the festival.
But what does this festival hold? There are festivities and events, parties and concerts, and motorcycle racing. It sounds extremely fun, right? Well, it is, however, there are also some fatalities that occur at Bike Week.
In 2022, 6 people were killed during the week, and in 2021, there were over 8 deaths. 2006 still ranks as the top year of deaths during Bike Week with 20 people dying.
In addition to motorcycle accidents being fatal at Daytona Bike Week, there are more people who are injured at the event as well.
Last year, there were 64 people who ended up in the hospital. Of these 64 people, 20 were critically injured in the trauma center.
How to Prevent These Accidents During Bike Week
Bike Week in Daytona, FL is going to continue to be a thing, however, there are ways to stay safe during this week to reduce the number of deaths that occur.
For instance, you can wear the right safety gear. In fact, Florida law states that all motorcycle riders have to wear an approved helmet. However, there is an exception to this law.
If a motorcycle rider is over 21 and has a minimum insurance policy of $10,000 to cover costs involved in an accident, then they are exempt from the law.
In addition to wearing the right gear, you should also make sure that you are always visible. Paying attention to the weather, lighting when it is dark, and your blind spots are the three keys to staying visible while on a motorcycle to prevent a motorcycle accident injury, or worse, death.
Additionally, make smart decisions. Lane splitting in Florida is illegal, so you should never weave in and out of traffic while on your motorcycle.
Florida Has One of the Highest Motorcycle Accident Death Rates
It may be shocking, but there are new claims being made that Florida is one of the highest states for motorcycle deaths nationwide. In fact, over 600 motorcyclists died in Florida in 2020. That puts Florida as the fourth highest state for deaths because of motorcycle accidents.
Most of the time, these accidents occur because drivers are not paying attention to the road. One of the key factors to reduce these accident-related deaths is to be more aware – both car and truck drivers and motorcycle drivers.
Most Accidents Occur on the Weekends
Have you ever given any thought to when these accidents are occurring? It probably doesn’t seem like it matters, however, this knowledge may point to other things that could prevent the accidents from occurring in the first place.
Most motorcycle accidents in Florida occur on the weekends. That means that Saturdays and Sundays are the most dangerous days for motorcyclists in Florida.
There could be several reasons for this. It’s the weekend, so more people are out and about, and more people will be drinking which means there will be more impaired drivers on the road. Weekends also bring tourists who are unfamiliar with the local roads. These factors all contribute to a higher likelihood of getting in an accident.
Knowing this can make you be more aware when driving on the weekends. Not only that, but you may choose to walk or drive a car rather than a motorcycle on the weekends to remain safer.
Most Accidents Are With Younger Motorcycle Riders
According to data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, most accidents that resulted in fatalities dealt with motorcyclists between the ages of 25 and 34.
There could be several reasons for this.
For starters, younger motorcyclists are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. This means that they are more likely to get on a bike after being under the influence of drugs or alcohol as well as speeding.
Young riders also have less experience with being on the road in general. This would make it more likely for them to get in an accident.
There Has Been an Increase in Motorcycle Accidents
In 2020, there was an 11% increase in motorcycle accidents from recent years. And the crazy part about this is that fewer people were on the road because of COVID. So this increase means that there really were more substantial crashes than previous years.
Although this is not the number of increase in Florida specifically, this is nationwide. From that, Florida accounts for about 10% of the fatal accidents out of all 50 states. However, the fatality rates are much higher in Florida than elsewhere.
When to Hire a Motorcycle Lawyer
With these crazy motorcycle statistics in Florida, the odds are that if you find yourself in a motorcycle accident, you may need to hire a motorcycle lawyer.
But when do you know you should hire one? Here are a few helpful tips.
You Have a Motorcycle Accident Injury
If you have a motorcycle accident injury, such as a broken bone, brain injury, or any type of amputation, you could be facing substantial medical bills, loss of income, and other expenses you wouldn’t otherwise have.
You should contact a motorcycle accident lawyer if this happens because they can help you get compensation for your damages.
You Are Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are mostly concerned with their bottom line and saving the most amount of money in an injury claim. However, a lawyer is there for you and you only. They want you to get the compensation that you deserve in a settlement.
So if you are ever dealing with an insurance adjuster that is trying to deny your claim that you have made or is offering you a low settlement that doesn’t seem fair, it is definitely time to contact a lawyer to help negotiate your rights.
You Are Facing Long-term Disability
Motorcycle accidents that are not fatal may leave you with a long-term or permanent disability. If that is the case, you need to talk to a lawyer that understands the situation that you are facing.
It is important in these cases that you hire a lawyer specifically in tune with motorcycle accidents and lawsuits.
A motorcycle lawyer can then help you to pursue compensation for medical bills and ongoing care that you will need as well as lost income because of the disability.
However, it’s important to understand the information about pain and suffering damages in Florida. You also need to know the statute of limitations as well as the timeline that you have to report the injuries and hire a lawyer for a lawsuit.
The longer you wait, the less likely you will be to see compensation. This is why it is so important to hire a lawyer right away.
Shocking Motorcycle Accident Statistics and What to Do About Them
There are a lot of shocking motorcycle accident statistics in Florida. Not only are we a state that has some of the most motorcycle accidents per year, but one city alone has a lot of fatalities because of one specific event – Bike Week.
Knowing these statistics can help you make better decisions as a motorcyclist. However, if you do find yourself in a situation where you need a lawyer, you should consider reaching out to us. Here at Big Bike Law, Rich Newsome may be able to help you get the settlement and rights that you deserve in the lawsuit.
Contact us today to get started with your injury claim.
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