Florida is a beautiful place for motorcycling, but it’s also a dangerous one. Motorcycle accident statistics from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles show there were 26,083 motorcycle crashes in the state over a two-year period, or nearly 8,700 per year. More than 1,600 motorcyclists died in traffic collisions during the same timeframe.
If you suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. The Tampa motorcycle accident attorneys at Brooks Law Group have what it takes to investigate the accident, determine liability, and seek every cent of the money you deserve.
Call or contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. There’s no obligation and no fee unless we win.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Tampa
Motorcyclists treasure the feeling of the open road, but with no seat belts, airbags, or a metal frame surrounding them, they are also at risk of deadly harm in an accident.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently reported that motorcyclists were 29 times more likely than passenger car motorists to die in a collision per vehicle miles traveled and four times more likely to sustain injuries. They become Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Tampa.
Take a look at these additional motorcycle accident stats:
- The latest data from the Motorcycle Industry Council shows about eight percent of U.S. households own at least one motorcycle. That’s a record high.
- Florida has nearly 600,000 registered motorcycles.
- Daytona Bike Week is one of the oldest and biggest motorcycle rallies in the United States, drawing more than 500,000 riders to Florida every March.
- More than 5,000 people were killed in U.S. motorcycle accidents in a recent year.
- Around 886,000 motorcyclists suffered injuries in accidents nationwide in a recent decade.
- Around 30 percent of motorcyclists killed in crashes in a recent year lacked valid licenses.
- Nearly one-third of all fatal motorcycle accidents involve speeding.
- In one NHTSA study, researchers found that in two-thirds of multiple-vehicle crashes involving motorcycles, the other vehicle driver violated the motorcyclist’s right of way and caused the collision.
- Estimates suggest motorcycle helmets are 37 percent effective at preventing fatal injuries to operators and 41 percent effective for passengers.
Motorcycle Safety Gear Statistics
Florida law does not require riders over 21 to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle, provided they have medical insurance and/or pass a motorcycle safety course.
Across the United States, data shows that about 71 percent of motorcyclists riding on surface streets in a recent year wore helmets. This was a dramatic increase from the previous year, when only 55 percent of motorcycle riders reported wearing a Department of Transportation-approved helmet. In states without universal helmet laws (like Florida), 57 percent of motorcycle riders who died in crashes rode without helmets.
Riding a Motorcycle Safely
If you are a motorcyclist, consider following these tips to stay safe while riding:
- Wear protective gear. Florida may not legally require you to wear a helmet, but you still should. Wearing a DOT-approved helmet could save your life in a crash. It could also prevent you from sustaining a catastrophic traumatic brain injury (TBI). You should also wear a leather jacket or other protective outer layer, boots, and gloves while riding.
- Take a motorcycle safety course. You can learn the rules of the road by taking a motorcycle safety course and getting pointers on what to do when unpredictable traffic situations arise.
- Obey traffic laws. Because you are sharing the road with other motorists, you must abide by all the same laws as drivers in passenger vehicles.
- Inspect your motorcycle. Check your headlights and taillights, blinkers, tire pressure, fuel lines, and brakes before you hit the open road.
Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents can happen regardless of how carefully you prepare. If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident in Central Florida that wasn’t your fault, a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer can review your case and discuss your rights to compensation.
Motorcycle Accidents and Your Legal Rights
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident and someone else is to blame, you could be entitled to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. While injured motorists in Florida generally cannot take legal action against the at-fault parties due to the state’s no-fault insurance laws, these rules do not apply to motorcyclists.
To successfully pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault party, you (or your motorcycle accident attorney) will need to demonstrate liability and prove fault. If you can show that the other party was responsible for the motorcycle crash, you could obtain compensation for a wide range of losses, such as:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation, such as physical and occupational therapies
- Lost wages
- Property damage and motorcycle repairs
- Pain and suffering
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages, if appropriate
It’s wise to talk with a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after a wreck. At Brooks Law Group, our personal injury lawyers can get started right away. We will investigate the accident thoroughly, gather evidence to support your case, determine what your case is worth, identify the at-fault party(s), and seek the compensation you deserve.
Hiring a motorcycle accident attorney protects your right to compensation and takes a massive burden off your shoulders. A lawyer can do all the talking during settlement negotiations, pressing the insurance company for a full and fair offer. An attorney can also advise you when a settlement offer is too low and discuss whether the threat of a trial is the best strategy to pursue the outcome you want.
Contact a Tampa Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
If you sustained injuries in a Tampa motorcycle accident, don’t settle without first talking to Brooks Law Group. We’ll protect your rights and tirelessly pursue the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
Getting started is quick and simple. Contact us today for a free consultation with a knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer.
