Motorcyclists account for almost 20 percent of all auto accident deaths in Florida, even though they only account for 3 percent of all the registered vehicles in the state.

Also troubling is the fact that, according to a recent survey conducted by AAA Consumer Pulse, almost 1 in 6 motorcyclists forego motorcycle insurance. When you consider that the average economic cost of each motorcycle death, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is nearly $1.5 million, we’re talking serious losses not only to individual families, but to communities at-large. That $1.5 million figure factors in medical bills, legal expenses, lost productivity, emergency medical services, insurance bills, workplace losses and property damage. 

Our Miami motorcycle accident lawyers know the issue of required motorcycle helmets is a sensitive one within the riding community. One-third of motorcycle riders surveyed strongly believe they should not be forced to wear a helmet when riding. It’s considered a deeply personal choice, and certainly, it is not one that is going to affect the amount of compensation the rider or surviving family members receive in the event of negligence. However, it’s worth pointing out, as the AAA public policy manager did, that motorcycle fatalities in Florida have more than doubled since the state repealed its law requiring all riders to wear approved helmets.

The NHTSA reports helmets are 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths. So in Florida, let’s take the 554 motorcycle accident deaths that happened last year. If we assumed that every single one of those riders was not wearing a helmet (which is not the case, but for the sake of argument), that would mean 205 of them would have survived.

The issue of insurance is also an important one to address because too often, motorcyclists are victims of hit-and-run accidents. In those situations, the only way to recover any sort of compensation is with uninsured motorist coverage. Alternatively, if a motorcyclist is struck by a driver who has insurance but not enough to cover the rider’s losses (and motorcyclists tend to suffer more severe injuries than those inside passenger cars), the only other way to recover is with underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage.

Our personal injury lawyers fight hard to obtain the highest level of compensation for our clients, but we can’t help you recover damages from insurance policies that don’t exist. It is so important to maintain adequate insurance, and we usually recommend keeping more than the bare minimum.

This goes not just for Florida residents but all riders planning to travel to Florida at some point this year. That AAA Consumer Pulse study asked riders across the country which motorcycle rallies/ events they plan to attend this year. Of those who responded, 70 percent answered Daytona Bike Week, which runs in March, and 57 percent answered Biketoberfest, also in Daytona.The third most popular was Leesburg Bikefest, to which 27 percent said they planned to attend.

If you have been a victim of a traffic accident, call Chalik & Chalik at (954) 476-1000 or 1 (800) 873-9040.

Additional Resources:

Florida motorcycle fatalities rise 23% last year, May 25, 2016, By Chris Parenteau, New 4 Jax

More Blog Entries:

Texting With a Driver? You Could be Liable. May 23, 2016, Miami Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog

The most recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on motorcycle accidents, injuries and deaths reveals Florida has more motorcycle deaths than anywhere else in the country. The total number of motorcyclists killed in the state in 2013 was 467. The only other states that came close to that were California, with 435 motorcycle deaths, and Texas, with 457. Those states have twice the population of Florida.

What’s more, while motorcyclists accounted for just 7 percent of licensed motorists in Florida, they accounted for one-fifth of motor vehicle deaths. 

Exacerbating the issue is the fact that Florida does not require motorcycle helmets for 21-and-over riders, lending many a false sense of security. The motorcycle helmet law in Florida was repealed in 2000, with the caveat that riders needed to have adequate medical insurance. Just one year after the the law was repealed, there was a nearly 50 percent increase in the number of motorcycle occupant deaths.

It’s a troubling trend that has unfortunately continued.

A recent survey by AAA Consumer Pulse revealed almost 1 in 5 motorcyclists don’t have auto insurance for their bike, and fully a third in Florida don’t believe they should be required to wear helmets. One in seven do not wear them on a regular basis.

Every motorcycle death has a reported economic cost to society of $1.48 million, which includes medical expenses, emergency service costs, insurance administration costs, workplace losses, property damage, loss of productivity and legal and court costs. That means in 2013 alone, Florida’s economic losses for motorcycle accident deaths – not including those who survived – was more than $691 million.

Our injury lawyers do understand that helmet use is a controversial issue among riders, who say it flies in the face of the free-ride spirit. And to be clear: The decision not to wear a helmet will not reduce the potential damages awarded in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

Still, it’s important to note that motorcycle helmet use is effective in reducing the risk of brain injury and fatality. Those who do wear helmets have a 73 percent lower risk of death than those who do not and an 85 percent reduction in the risk of serious, severe and critical injuries.

Another serious issue among motorcyclists: Alcohol impairment. Almost 30 percent of the motorcyclists who died in 2013 in Florida had a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or higher. Thirty-four percent had a BAC of 0.01 or higher.

Motorcyclists who died in nighttime crashes were four times more likely to be impaired by alcohol than those killed in daytime collisions.

This is deeply concerning because motorcyclists, perhaps even more than other drivers, have to be alert and drive defensively. The recent AAA survey indicated 57 percent of drivers are concerned that they won’t be able to see a motorcyclist until it’s too late to avoid a crash.

Bike Week in Daytona is expected to draw some 500,000 motorcyclists over the course of 10 days, from March 4 through 13th. There will be a host of shows, contests and rallies, as well as performances by the Charlie Daniels Band and the Marshall Tucker Band.

If you have been a victim of a traffic accident, call Chalik & Chalik at (954) 476-1000 or 1 (800) 873-9040.

Additional Resources:

Fla. has the most motorcycle fatalities in the nation, March 2, 2016, By Bruce Hamilton, The Morning Show Anchor, News4Jax