Florida Motorcycle Accidents on the Rise
ď ś Motorcycle accidents are among the most dangerous vehicle related accidents you can be involved in. Motorcycle riders are nearly 30 times at greater risk of dying in an accident then those involved in a car accident. ď ś National motorcycle accidents and fatalities have increased every year since 1997; while traffic fatalities nationwide have declined 23 percent during the same time frame. Nowhere has the evidence of these trends been more apparent than in the state of Florida.
ď śFlorida continues to rank as one of the states with the highest number of motorcycle deaths, with 287 deadly crashes from January to September of 2012. ď śThis makes Florida the third deadliest motorcycle state behind Texas with 358 and California with 318. Full and accurate motorcycle statistical reporting for 2013 has yet to be reported.
Florida, the “Sunshine State,” may be a victim of its own good luck in regards to the number of motorcycle accidents. The simple fact is, Florida has more days to ride and enjoy motorcycles than in Alaska or other northern states. The more time a motorcycle populace rides, the more chances of someone being in an accident. Find the best Florida motorcycle accident lawyer.
ď ś Another reason may be due to the economy and more motorcycles on the road. At $3.00 per a gallon of gas, no one is in a rush to drop $60.00 at the gas station; unless of course you ride a motorcycle. Certain motorcycle makes and models can get in excess of 70 miles per gallon. This has led to more and more people opting for two-wheeled transportation versus four. Moreover, if you do not own a car, you cannot help your friends move into their new apartment – Win/Win!
ď śAlso, the relaxed helmet laws in Florida may contribute to the severity and outcome of an accident. Currently, if an individual in Florida is 21-years of age, has the proper licenses to operate a motorcycle, and carries $10,000 worth of additional medical insurance; a helmet is optional. ď śSo, with an optional helmet, a knock on a reinforced piece of fiberglass turns into a knock, or likely crack, of the skull.
Likewise, additional protective clothing might not be worn habitually. No one wants to wear heavy, dank, and unrevealing leather in Florida’s 100 degree heat. So, instead, some people may wear clothing which may not be suitable for operating a motorcycle, like flip-flops and a t-shirt. We know it happens, we have all seen the YouTube videos.
Of course not all motorcycle accidents in Florida are preventable. Some accidents are just that, accidents. The truth being, operating a motorcycle is an inherently dangerous activity. Hopefully Florida motorcycle riders will take proper steps to mitigate their exposure to risk. Just remember, no one looks cool in a coma! Find out more about Law Office of Saban & Solomon : http://www.sslegalfirm.com/