What Do I Need to Know About Florida Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle accidents can have deadly results. According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), there were 597 motorcycle fatalities in the state of Florida in 2019. The following article will provide some statistics regarding Florida motorcycle accidents and highlight some common causes of these types of accidents.
Florida Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The following statistics provide some notable information about traffic crashes involving a motorcycle in Florida in 2019.
- There were 3,733 non-fatal motorcyclist injury hospitalizations
- There were 10,934 non-fatal motorcyclist emergency room visits
- The median age of motorcyclists who were fatally injured was 40
- 35% of motorcyclist fatalities were related to a traumatic brain injury
- 94% of motorcyclist fatalities involved a Florida resident
- 55% of motorcyclist hospitalizations and emergency room visits were not covered by commercial insurance
- The median charge for motorcyclist emergency room visits was $8,572
- The total charge for all hospitalizations and emergency room visits resulting from motorcyclist accidents was $954,096,592
Motorcycle Accident Causes
There are several factors that contribute to the occurrence of motorcycle accidents. Some of these factors include:
- Head-on collisions: Car crashes involving motorcycles and other vehicles account for about 56% of all motorcycle accident fatalities. Furthermore, 78% of these car crashes involved a head-on collision (i.e. when a vehicle strikes a motorcycle from the front). These head-on collisions are often fatal to the motorcyclist.
- Drivers making left turns: Drivers making left-hand turns is the most dangerous situation for motorcyclists. Typically, a motorcyclist is struck by a driver turning left when the motorcyclist is going straight through an intersection, passing the vehicle, or attempting to overtake the vehicle. These kinds of crashes account for 42% of all accidents involving a motorcycle and another vehicle.
- Lane splitting: Lane splitting occurs when a motorcycle attempts to pass a vehicle by swiftly traveling from one lane to the next during traffic jams. This can be dangerous because of the motorcycle’s close proximity to other vehicles, the reduced space that the motorcycle has to maneuver, and the fact that drivers do not anticipate motorcycles attempting to pass them during a traffic jam.
- Speeding: As with any other vehicle accidents, when motorcyclists speed at excessive rates, they are more likely to get into accidents because they will be unable to stop in time to prevent certain dangers.
- Drugs and alcohol: When the motorcyclist is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, he is more likely to be involved in a motorcycle accident, as his judgement will be impaired and his reflexes will not be as sharp.
- Road hazards: Because motorcycles are less stable than other vehicles, certain road hazards (such as potholes, dead animals, slippery pavement, and other unexpected objects) can cause serious accidents.
Were You Recently Injured in a Motorcycle Accident? Speak to a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Attorney
If you were recently injured in a motorcycle accident, Rosen Injury Law, P.A. can help. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys will answer any questions you may have about filing a lawsuit and will help you build a strong case so that you can receive the compensation you deserve. Reach out to us today for help.
Resource:
fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/safety/2a-programs/motorcycle/2019-florida-dept-of-health-motorcycle-safety-report.pdf?sfvrsn=c9a04c90_0
