Motorcycle riders lack many of the protections enjoyed by other drivers, so when a larger vehicle collides with a motorcycle, the motorcyclist is at a much higher risk of injury or death than the occupants of the car or truck.
Two people were killed recently in a traffic accident involving a truck and a motorcycle. Authorities indicated that the crash occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. on NW Ninth Avenue near Northwest 17th Street. Two people, ages 22 and 60, were pronounced dead at Broward Health Medical Center.
Motorcyclists at higher risk of serious injury or death
According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), motorcyclists made up 14% of all traffic fatalities in 2017, and 17% of all occupant fatalities. When factoring in per vehicle miles travelled that year, biker fatalities were 27 times higher than passenger driver or occupant deaths.
Even though there are many more passenger cars and trucks on the road, statistically motorcyclists are at a higher risk of severe injury or death in a collision. One reason for this is that a biker’s body is unprotected and will bear the direct impact of a crash.
Motorcyclists also are at high risk of being thrown from the bike upon impact. As a result, many experience severe trauma to the head, spine and neck. The severity of injury is less when the motorcyclist is wearing a helmet.
In states without universal helmet laws in 2017, close to 60% of motorcyclist fatalities occurred to bikers who were not wearing a helmet. In states with stricter laws, that number was 8%. Florida does have a helmet law, but it only applies to motorcycle operators under the age of 21.
Dealing with the aftermath of a serious accident
For the victims of a serious accident and their families, the trauma or loss can be overwhelming. Getting insurance to provide adequate compensation when the family needs it can be challenging. Because of Florida’s no-fault insurance laws, there may be limits to what an injured party can recover.
If the accident was due to a distracted, impaired, or reckless driver, it is possible to purse a negligence claim if medical or rehabilitative costs, lost wages, or other expenses are higher than what insurance will cover. Finding out more about your options is the first step toward getting the compensation that you deserve.