Fort Lauderdale, like the rest of South Florida, offers its residents and visitors year-round sunny weather, which is perfect for riding a motorcycle. Due to the large population and traffic congestion, those driving in the city are at risk of being injured in a traffic accident. Studies have confirmed that motorcycles are inherently more dangerous than passenger cars. This is because a passenger vehicle’s frame, airbags, and seatbelts provide the driver and other riders protection from injury upon impact from a crash. This is not the case with motorcycles. Even if a motorcyclist is wearing a helmet, this protective gear is little help because the likelihood of being ejected in a Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident and suffering personal injuries is high. Those injuries can result in serious injury or even death.
Approximately 37,000 individuals die each year on American roads, according to the Association for Safe International Road Travel. An additional 2.35 million people end up with temporary or permanent injuries or disabilities as the result of traffic accidents.Road crashes also cost the U.S. economy about $2.3 billion dollars annually. These costs include lost wages, medical expenses, and property damage among others.
Motorcycles are less visible and less stable than passenger cars, despite their adventurous attraction. Motorcycles often have higher speed capabilities than most regular passenger vehicles, making them more dangerous when a motorcycle accident happens. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates the number of fatalities in motorcycle accidents is 30 times higher than car accident fatalities. It is estimated that nearly 5,000 motorcyclists died in fatal traffic accidents in 2015.
Common causes of a motorcycle accident include dangerous weather conditions, speeding, driving under the influence, failure to use turning signals, inexperienced motorcyclists or passenger vehicle drivers, lane splitting (motorcyclists driving between lanes), and another driver’s failure to see a motorist (i.e. glare, blind spot).
More than 10% of all roadway accidents involve a motorcycle. Research shows the leading cause of death in a motorcycle crash is an injury to the head. In fact, motorcyclists who fail or refuse to wear a helmet while riding are 40 times more likely to die in a motorcycle accident than their counterparts – motorcyclists who chose to wear protective headgear. Data shows that helmets reduce the likelihood of fatality in a motorcycle crash by as much as 37%.
A Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accidents can have catastrophic consequences, causing serious injuries or even tragic death(s). The victims and/or loved ones of a motorcycle accident do not have to navigate this process by themselves. The pressure of piling medical bills, lost wages, and property damage should not be compounded by the stress of a lawsuit. The Law Offices of Joseph I. Lipsky, P.A. will fight for its clients, seeking the maximum damages owed under Florida law. Servicing the state from the Florida Keys to Palm Beach and beyond, schedule your initial consultation today with one of its seasoned motorcycle accident attorneys by contacting, toll free, 954-693-0073.