Safety Tips for Motorcyclists from an Accident Lawyer in Tampa
Its wide flat roadways and warm weather make Florida a popular motorcycle hot spot. As Florida’s motorcyclist population grows, motorcycle safety becomes an important issue. Like the rest of the United States, Florida’s motorcycle crashes have increased over the last decade, more than doubling between 1990 and 2008, according to the Ride Smart Florida website. The site also says that while licensed motorcycles accounted for only 6% of Florida’s drivers in 2009, they represented 15.7% of all fatalities on Florida’s roadways.
Some of this is due to the repeal of the helmet law in 2000, and even more is due to drinking and driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) National Center for Statistics and Analysis:
- The likelihood of crashing your motorcycle is five times greater if you have been drinking any alcohol at all.
- The chances of a crash increase 40 times if you have blood alcohol content greater than 0.05 %.
Motorcyclist Injuries
Without the protection of a car or truck, the force of a motorcycle crash often results in broken bones, concussions, injuries to internal organs, and neck or back injuries and death. Motorcycle crash injuries usually require hospital care and treatment.
In 2008, the average Florida hospital bill the treatment of motorcycle crash injuries was $47,440, and the average length of stay in the hospital was four days.
Motorcycle Insurance Coverage After a Crash
It is almost essential for all motorcyclists in Florida to buy extra uninsured / underinsured (UM) insurance coverage because Florida minimum coverage does not include liability coverage. This means that the motorcyclist’s injuries may not be covered by the other party’s insurance. Buying the UM coverage may be the only way to receive compensation for injuries, pain and suffering after an accident. In 2008, almost half of all motorcyclist hospital visits were not covered by commercial insurance.
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident and have been injured, it is crucial for you to consult an experienced accident lawyer in Tampa or injury attorney in Tampa who understands Florida motorcycle laws. You deserve a settlement that will help compensate for your lost wages, pain and suffering. In addition, there are several ways that you can help to reduce the chances that you will be involved in motorcycle accident.
The following safety tips will decrease your chances of becoming involved in a motorcycle accident:
- Never operate a motorcycle if you have consumed any alcohol.
- Never ride on a motorcycle if you know the driver has been drinking.
- Always wear a helmet with a full-face shield, and protective equipment such as gloves, boots, pants and a jacket designed of durable material.
- Get as much training as possible before you ride your motorcycle.
- Let tailgaters pass, and never tailgate.
- Follow the speed limit and obey all the traffic signals.
Perhaps the most important motorcycle safety tip is to use common sense on the road. If you drive safely and responsibly, it is likely that any accident will not be due to your fault. In motorcycle accidents where a person other than the motorcyclist causes the collision, it’s important for the cyclist to quickly receive medical treatment and to contact an accident lawyer in Tampa or injury attorney in Tampa who understands Florida motorcycle laws and can help you seek damages and protect your rights as an injury victim.
