Driving a motorcycle may bring a feeling of freedom and cheap gas mileage, but it is also one of the riskiest ways of using the road. The chance of injury is high if you get in a collision, even with appropriate safety gear and training on what to do when you crash, simply because there’s less between you and the road.
On this page, we talk about some of the issues regarding the use of motorcycles in the state of Florida. One of the most important is that it is a requirement to wear a helmet. Helmets are the only safety feature for motorcycles proven to save lives. Some motorcyclists think that they prevent them from seeing out of the corner of their eyes, but keeping the head and neck intact after a crash is much more important.
Another risky behavior is lane splitting. This is a practice where a motorcycle rides between the lanes to pass vehicles, usually near the line. This is illegal in every state but California, and even then if they get in a wreck while doing it they’ll share some of the blame.
However, many motorcycle crashes are not the fault of the rider. Driver inattention is a large cause of motorcycle accidents. Thus, riders should do their utmost to pay attention to stay safe.
If you do get into an accident, you must talk with a personal injury attorney as soon as you can. It’s likely you have injuries and their care will require compensation. Your insurance may not be enough, and unfortunately, motorcyclists have a reputation for taking risks that can and will be used against you. Don’t let an insurance company rob you because of your lifestyle. Contact Chalik Law so we can fight on your behalf.
Many people enjoy riding a motorcycle in Fort Lauderdale. It gives travelers a unique look at this beautiful and vast state. However, individuals wishing to do this should make sure they take the proper steps to do so in Fort Lauderdale. Learn some of the specific requirements Florida has for motorcycle operators. Florida Requirements for…
A junior at the University of Central Florida (UCF) suffered severe injuries in a Florida motorcycle accident on the State road 408 in Orlando. As reported in the Orlando Sentinel, Radley Gillis, age 21, was riding home from work on his bike. His friend, Jake Adler, age 20, was driving behind him in his truck…
In Pinellas Park, Florida, a man from Tampa faces the charge of driving while intoxicated in a motor vehicle crash that claimed the life of a motorcyclist. According to the Tampa Bay Reporter, Lawrence Michael Wagner, age 56, of St. Petersburg, was declared dead at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. Anthony Robert Davis, age 25, faces…
A 47-year-old man was ejected from his motorcycle in a crash that occurred in Volusia County, Florida. The wreck took place on January 3, when a motorist abruptly turned from Saxon Boulevard to Diane Terrace in Deltona. As reported in the Orlando Sentinel, the driver behind the car that made the turn applied the brakes…
A motorcycle crash claimed the life of a man from Lakeland, Florida, when his bike collided with an SUV. The accident occurred on Thursday, November 24, at 9:05 p.m., in the 3100 block of South Florida Avenue. According to the Lakeland Police Department, traffic was blocked for three hours following the crash, which is under…
According to motorcycle accident statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2012, there were 2,030 people killed in single-vehicle motorcycle accidents. Forty-three percent of these motorcyclists were under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher at the time of the wreck. Twenty-seven percent of motorcyclists…
Motorcyclists are one of the most vulnerable groups who use the roads, and are at risk for sustaining serious injuries if an accident occurs. The motorcycle fatality rate is much higher than that for passenger cars or light trucks. Number of Motorcycle Accidents in Florida and the Greater U.S. In Florida in 2012, there were…
Road rash is one of the most common types of injuries that can occur when riding a motorcycle or bicycle. Unlike traveling in a passenger vehicle, when riding a motorcycle or a bicycle, you are more open to injuries like road rash because there is nothing between you and the road if you are in…
The thought of teens riding around on motorcycles strikes fear in the heart of many parents and with good reason. An estimated 640 people under the age of 21 were injured in motorcycle accidents in 2011 in Florida alone, according to the FDOT Crash Analysis Reporting System (CARS). From our family to yours, we share…
Motorcycles, cars, SUVs, and trucks are all technically considered legal vehicles on Florida roadways, but they differ greatly. Motorcycles weigh less than 1,500 pounds, cars weigh in around 4,000 pounds, SUVs weigh about 4,300 pounds, and trucks could weigh anywhere from 15,000 pounds to over 30,000 pounds. Motorcyclists in Florida share the roadway with these…
On November 20th, 2011, a motorcycle passenger was killed in a Sunday afternoon crash in Florida. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Basmattie Persad, 43, was not wearing her helmet at the time of the motorcycle crash. She was riding on her uncle’s motorcycle without a helmet; however, her uncle Ramlakhan Singh, 58, of Groveland,…
After being involved and injured in a motorcycle crash, it might be hard to find someone who you can rely on and trust. When you are looking at different attorneys to handle your case, keep in mind that the only way an attorney can represent you the best is if he or she knows everything….
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles revealed their 2010 Traffic Crash Statistics Report, which highlights motorcycle crash statistics in Florida. The numbers were released in August and indicated that Florida motorcycle fatalities decreased between 2009 and 2010. The total decrease was approximately 4.7 percent, which works out to about 19 people respectively….
The Sun Sentinel recently released an article focusing on the fact that more motorcyclists are wearing helmets, but the numbers are not even close to the numbers of riders wearing helmets prior to the helmet law repeal over a decade ago. Due to crash statistics and the injuries that occur to unhelmeted riders, South Florida…
In the Sunshine State, if you are at least 21 years old and carry a minimum of $10,000 in a medical insurance policy, then you can bypass the helmet law. However, the question is: Why would you want to increase your risk for injuries? Although most people know that wearing a motorcycle helmet can keep…
South Florida seems to have just the right weather for motorcyclists to ride all year long. Although riding motorcycles can be exhilarating and adventurous, it can also be quite dangerous, even with the great weather that Florida provides to riders. Because there are many motorists rushing about on Florida streets and highways, it makes for…
