According to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Florida ranks among the nation’s most dangerous states for motorcyclists.
A 2019 study saw an upward trend in fatal motorcycle accidents in the state. There were 590 motorcyclists killed across Florida in 2017, which was an increase of 75 from the previous year. In 2016, 30 of the 515 people killed were pedestrians.
These numbers resulted in Florida placing fourth on the list of most dangerous states for motorcyclists, determined by number of fatalities.
Motorcycle safety
There are a lot of factors that make Florida particularly unsafe for motorcyclists.
One factor is the year-round nice weather that gets motorcyclists out and on the roads more often than people in other states. More motorcyclists on the road and more time spent on the road leads to a higher likelihood of accidents.
There are also the same factors that go into any other type of accident—driver carelessness or distraction, reckless driving, other vehicles failing to see motorcycles on the road, etc. It is particularly common for people stopped at intersections to make a left turn without seeing a motorcyclist coming, thus causing a failure to yield collision.
Motorcyclists are reminded of the importance of wearing helmets and other protective equipment, and to replace helmets if they ever have a collision with the ground. They are also encouraged to wear reflective materials when riding at night so as to increase their visibility.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver, contact a trusted Manatee County personal injury attorney at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez & Walsh for legal representation.