How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Florida…and How Can You Keep Yourself Safe?

Riding a motorcycle is known to be risky, but having an understanding of exactly how dangerous it can be is crucial if you want to have a realistic outlook on your own safety, and so you can take action to protect yourself as much as possible.

So what are the main stats to know about, and what should you do either as a motorcycle owner, or another road user, to avoid disaster?

Facts & figures to keep in mind

If you are involved in a motorcycle collision, regardless of your role, it’s a good idea to get help from local legal experts. Contacting Accident Attorneys in Miami will let you secure compensation, or defend yourself from litigation as necessary.

But what are the chances of such an incident occurring? Well, official data shows that in 2021 there were a total of 8,631 motorcycle crashes in the state of Florida, of which 588 resulted in fatalities.

This is a relatively small proportion of the 400,000 total road traffic accidents which occurred in the course of the past year, although it has to be seen in a wider context to be fully understood.

Florida’s motorcycle ownership sits at just over 620,000, while there are a little more than 7.8 million cars registered state-wide.

This means that there was around 1 fatality for every 680 motorcycle owners in the state, which puts the likelihood of suffering serious injuries in a crash relatively low. Even so, that doesn’t mean you can afford to be complacent, and the only way to avoid becoming a statistic yourself is to take the right precautions.

Motorcycle safety for riders

The first and most important safety tip for motorcycle owners is to ensure that all of the correct protective clothing and equipment are worn whenever you hop onboard your chopper.

Wearing a helmet is the bare minimum in this context, because if you do get in a crash, then a blow to the head is all but inevitable, and even at slow speeds this can be fatal.

Adhering to safe practices when in charge of your motorcycle is also essential. Sticking to the speed limit, leaving enough space between you and the vehicle in front, not changing lanes without checking your blind spot, and being aware of the weather conditions so you know what stopping distance to expect if you have to slam on the brakes, will all contribute to steering clear of catastrophes.

If you’re riding with a passenger, you should also provide them with the right gear, and give them advice on how to handle the experience if they are new to it.

Motorcycle safety for other road users

All motorists have an obligation and a responsibility to look out for one another, and it’s not uncommon for motorcycle accidents to come about because the driver of another vehicle has not been appropriately attentive when making a maneuver.

Whether pulling out at a junction, changing lanes on a freeway, or backing out of a driveway, caution must always be used. Don’t assume that you’re clear to make a move, and instead check not once but twice. That’s the only way you can be certain that there’s not a motorcycle just out of your standard area of view that needs to be taken into account.

The bottom line

Motorcycle accidents are still fairly common in Florida, and so safety is a paramount concern. It’s better to prepare to avoid collisions now, rather than hoping you’ll be equipped to deal with the aftermath when one does occur.

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