6 Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Florida is the Sunshine State. Most days are warm and sunny, perfect weather for a motorcycle ride. Motorcycle enthusiasts can be found in every corner of the state. Florida is the ideal place to ride your motorcycle, but that doesn't make it any safer there.

In fact, the state consistently ranks at the top of the list of motorcycle fatalities by state. Hundreds of motorcyclists die each year on Florida's roads.

Motorcycle Accidents in Florida

In 2006, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that in the United States 73.24 motorcycles per 100,000 ended up in a fatal crash that year. That means that out of every 100,000 people of the state's population, at least 73 people were involved in a fatal motorcycle accident. This doesn't even account for passengers. When compared to cars, motorcycles are 35 times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash.

In 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), noted a 7.2-percent increase in crash-related fatalities from the previous year. Motorcycle deaths also grew by 8.3-percent. 382 more motorcyclists died in 2015 than in 2014. The total amount of car and motorcycle accident related deaths in 2015 was 35,092, one of the highest numbers in decades.

Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

The figures are alarming. It's clear that there's a problem, but why do these accidents happen in the first place? What are some of the common causes of motorcycle accidents? Motorcycle accidents can be the result of weather, poor bike maintenance, or a list of other reasons. Here are six of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents:

• Poorly maintained roads and construction. You're vulnerable on a motorcycle. Because of this, you need to pay attention to road conditions, including potholes, gravel, debris, and other hazards that you're likely to encounter on the open road. You must pay particular attention to construction sites. These areas may require drivers to change lanes abruptly or merge to a one lane road. Be on the lookout and don't become victim to sideswipe collisions.
• Driver Negligence. Yes, this includes distracted driving. Drivers don't always see motorcyclists. Drivers' lack of awareness results in thousands of head-on, sideswipe, and rear-end motorcycle accidents each year.
• No helmet. In Florida, drivers over the age of 21 aren't required to wear a helmet on a motorcycle as long as they have an insurance policy that will cover them if they crash without a helmet. Some people applaud this freedom, others condemn it. Regardless of where you stand, you should know that riding without a helmet is much more dangerous than riding with the proper safety equipment. The Advocates for Highway Safety (AHS) estimates that motorcycle laws save the country $17 billion dollars in medical bills annually. They estimate this number could be bumped up to $25 billion per year if all states adopted motorcycle helmet laws.
• Driving under the influence. In 2013, drunk driving was the cause of one in three car and motorcycle accident fatalities. This trend continues today in Florida and across the country.
• Ignoring laws and road signs. Motorcyclists who speed, ignore signs to slow down, to merge, or who try to cut in between traffic on the interstate are much more likely to die in an accident than those who abide by the law and who pay attention to their surroundings.
• Road Rage. Road rage incidents are all too common on Florida's roads. When one driver or rider cuts someone else off, either intentionally or accidentally, it's possible that the situation can escalate into violence—which may include car drivers intentionally bumping motorcyclists.

What are the Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

Motorcycles can cause a range of injuries. The most common injuries include:

• Concussions
• Head trauma
• Broken bones
• Soft tissue burns, bruises, cuts, and puncture wounds
• Facial injuries

Who Can You Call When You're Involved in a Motorcycle Accident?

According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' 2015 Traffic Crash Facts, there were 10,201 motorcycle crashes, 546 fatalities, and 8,231 motorcycle injuries in 2015. Motorcycles are dangerous and risky. Don't take any chances when you need an attorney.

If you're involved in a serious motorcycle accident, you need a law firm you can trust. You need experienced lawyers who will fight for you. You need the Lowman Law Firm.