Florida is known for a lot of things, from its sunny weather to its amazing food scene. Yet one less positive side of the state to know about is its record for motorcycle safety.

Let’s dive into the stats to discover how things stand at the moment, and also deal with what you can do if you live in Florida and are involved in a collision yourself.

Troubling figures

When it comes to motorcycle-related fatalities, Florida is the place where they’re more prevalent than anywhere else nationwide. In fact 11 percent of all deaths with this cause across the country occur within its borders.

Part of the reason for this is the sheer number of people who own motorcycles in Florida, of which there are more than 620,000. This means that there is a higher probability of incidents occurring here compared with states that have similar populations but lower levels of ownership.

Accidents can even be broken down to a county level, with Miami-Dade sitting at the top of this list, while Brevard is at the other end of the spectrum. Each year there are around 300 crashes in Miami-Dade alone, and failure to wear an approved helmet is the most common reason for accidents resulting in fatalities.

Things are improving year on year, with a decline in accidents reported between 2018 and 2020. However, more clearly needs to be done to address Florida’s problem with motorcycle injuries and deaths.

Consulting a local motorcycle accident lawyer in Florida

If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident when riding a motorcycle in Florida, it makes sense to get the help of local motorcycle accident lawyers.

The obvious reason for doing so is that with the assistance of an expert who has in-depth knowledge of the legal system in the state, you’ll be able to work towards a positive outcome whether seeking compensation or launching a court case against any other parties involved.

Even if you are not necessarily thinking about taking the matter any further, it is a good idea to speak with a qualified, specialist attorney following an accident of any kind, especially on public roads. That way you’ll know more about the options available to you.

Gathering evidence

As well as consulting a local lawyer in the wake of a motorcycle collision, you should endeavor to collect evidence on the day so that any case you make or compensation you seek is backed up by this.

When a collision involves a car and a motorcycle, the latter party is almost always left in a worse state. So obviously you need to prioritize your own health and safety, and avoid returning to the road on foot to take photos or record video. Only take this step if it is safe to do so.

Using insurance

Another point to make is that because of Florida’s troubling motorcycle accident statistics, you should have as much insurance cover as you can reasonably afford.

This can help cover things like legal costs, as well as repairing or replacing your motorcycle if it is seriously damaged in a collision.

Sticking to safety guidelines

It’s worth restating that motorcycle-related fatalities are more common because it is an innately more dangerous mode of transport than a car, and so you should not take chances when it comes to protective gear or safe driving practices.

Wearing a helmet is objectively the most essential step to take, and insisting on any passengers you carry also wearing one will minimize the risks