Florida leads the country in motorcycle deaths, according to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That report said motorcyclist deaths made up 19 percent – or one fifth – of total motor vehicle fatalities in Florida in 2013, which was the year the report was released. In total, 467 motorcycle riders lost their lives in crashes in Florida that year. Many thousands more were injured.
As a motorcycle rider, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of getting in an accident. By understanding the common causes of crashes, you can better adjust your biking habits to avoid these situations. Please learn more in the guide below.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Florida
Across the country, you’ll run into a certain perspective – and truly a misconception – that takes the age-old rebellious, individualistic persona of the biker and recasts it as a reckless, careless driver. But as a motorcyclist, you know that most riders are safe, responsible operators of their 2-wheeled vehicles. In actuality, the drivers of passenger cars, trucks and vans are often the cause of an accident involving a bike. Consider some of these common sources of crashes:
- Left hand turn in front of the motorcycle
- Tailgating a motorcycle
- Misjudging a motorcycle’s rate of speed
- Failing to yield the right of way to a motorcycle
- Denying the motorcycle the full use of a lane
- Failing to signal intentions to the motorcycle rider
Although things like bad weather and uneven terrain can also cause a crash, the scenarios listed above are good examples of how a careless driver can cause you to wreck. Sometimes it won’t even involve other vehicles – you may lose control of your bike because an evasive or defensive maneuver you have to take in response to the driver’s actions.
How You Can Be A Safer Biker
Government agencies and motorcycle safety organizations emphasize the importance of preventing motorcycle accidents by managing those things that you have control of:
- Increase your visibility to other drivers. When selecting gear, choose bright colors so other drivers will be more likely to see you. There are jackets made with reflective material, or you could use reflective tape and affix it to several areas of your gear.
- Increase your following distance. Don’t tailgate the vehicle in front of you. Doing so means you will have less time to react if the driver ahead of you does something sudden or unexpected.
- Try to create a cushion of safety between yourself and other vehicles. If you can do so safely, try to maintain a cushion that provides distance between those behind you, those in front of you and those to the side. Obviously this is not always possible, but it’s a good thing to strive for in most circumstances.
- Scan the path ahead of you. Although it’s important to be conscious of what is happening directly in front of you, every once in a while – and when it is safe to do so – scan the road 12 seconds ahead of you. Doing so helps you identify problems before the driver in front of you reacts, so you won’t be surprised.
Helmet laws tend to be controversial among motorcyclists. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that helmet use saved the lives of 1,630 motorcyclists across the country in 2013. They say helmets are 37 percent effective at preventing fatal injuries to motorcyclists and 41 percent effective in preventing those injuries to motorcycle passengers. In Florida, if you are at least 21 years old, you are not legally obligated to wear a helmet IF you can show proof of at least $10,000 in medical insurance. Anyone under 21 – rider or passenger – must wear a helmet that has been approved by the Department of Transportation.
If you meet the requirements and are allowed to ride without a helmet, that is your right; however, wearing a helmet can dramatically reduce the risk of severe injury or fatality if you crash. Even if you are a responsible, experienced motorcyclist, the actions of other motorists can cause you to get involved in a wreck you had no way of anticipating.
What You Should Do If You Were Injured in a Motorcycle Accident
When you’re hurt in a crash, you need an experienced, compassionate advocate on your side. Attorney Eric Canter has been fighting for accident victims for over 20 years. He understands all of the relevant laws and precedents that may affect your motorcycle crash case. He will fight tirelessly to recover compensation for all of the ways the crash has affected your life, including:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and income from being unable to work
- Pain and suffering caused by the accident
This guest blog was submitted by Canter Law South Florida Injury Lawyers. Canter Law is available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For a free case evaluation, please call (855) 960-5344. Mr. Canter has several office locations across the state to better serve people from across the region, including the cities of Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Boynton Beach and Palm Beach County.