Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
Motorcycle accidents in Plantation are a serious summer threat. In fact, nationwide they show no sings of decreasing, despite significant drops in other types of traffic accidents nationwide.
We’re seeing the lowest number of auto accidents nationwide since 1949. Still, the number of motorcycle accidents won’t budge. In both 2010 and 2011, we saw roughly 5,000 motorcycle accidents across the country, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
During the first 9 months of 2011 in the state of Florida, we saw more than 300 motorcyclist fatalities — more than anywhere else in the nation except Texas. With the beautiful weather the Sunshine State provides us with year round, motorcyclists will ride through summer and fall.
Our Plantation motorcycle accident lawyers understand that motorcycle accidents have been on the rise for more than a decade.
Why aren’t these fatal accidents decreasing alongside other accidents? Some believe that it’s because of the economy. Since we’re recovering, more residents and visitors feel comfortable dishing out the dough for that shiny new bike. Others think that it’s because of the gas prices. Since motorcycles are good on gas, many residents are turning to this form of transportation to stretch their dollar a little more at the pump. Either way, both of these factors are bringing out more riders. With more motorcycles on our roadways, the risks of fatal accidents increase.
Some experts say that it’s state’s motorcycle helmet laws that are contributing to the steady number of motorcyclist fatalities. In the state of Florida, only riders under the age of 21-years-old are required to wear a motorcycle helmet, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). There are only 19 states across the country that require all riders to wear a helmet on a motorcycle. Regardless of state law, all motorcyclists are urged to wear a helmet out on the open road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle helmets help to reduce the risks of death in the event of an accident by nearly 40 percent.
There were 25 states across the country that reported an increase in the number of fatal motorcycle accidents from 2010 to 2011.
“It is disappointing that we are not making progress in motorcycle safety, particularly as fatalities involving other motorists continue to decline,” said Troy Costales, GHSA Chairman.
We may have just wrapped up Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, but in the state of Florida that should be every month. We have more riders than most states across the country and need to be more cautious on our roadways because of it.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident in Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach or any of the surrounding areas, contact the personal injury attorneys at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez LLC for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your case. Call 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Motorcycle Accidents in Jupiter Targeted by DHSMV, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, May 4, 2012
West Palm Beach Motorcycle Accidents Prove Fatal, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, February 12, 2012