Florida State Motorcycle Accident Statistics

In 2008, 532 people were killed in motorcycle crashes in Florida, according to a summary of statistics compiled by that state's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Of those, 502 were motorcycle drivers, the remaining 30 were passengers. Motorcycle fatalities made up nearly 18 percent of total traffic fatalities for the year.

A total of 8,519 drivers and 883 passengers were injured in 2008 Florida motorcycle crashes.

 

Florida Motorcycle Accident Report
	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Fatalities	388	441	521	517	502
Passengers Fatalities	n/a	n/a	29	33	30
Injuries	6,558	7,282	7,934	8,186	8,519
Passengers Injuries	n/a	n/a	835	769	883
Motorcycle Accidents	7,367	8,147	8,990	9,205	9,618

Report Shows Mostly Rising Rates

The number of motorcycle crashes in 2008 was 9,618, up from 9,205 in 2007. This figure has risen at a fairly consistent rate since 1999, the first year used for comparison in the report. Injuries to motorcycle drivers have also risen at a nearly consistent rate. There were 8,186 in 2007. Deaths of motorcycle drivers dipped a bit, down from 517 in 2007 and 521 in 2006. Between 1999 and 2005, motorcycle driver deaths rose steadily each year.

The Florida report does not fix blame for crashes between motorcycles and automobiles, but previous studies have shown that in as many as two-thirds of such crashes, automobile drivers are at fault. The leading cause is failure of the automobile driver to yield right-of-way to the motorcyclist, most often when the automobile driver turns left in front of an approaching motorcycle.

Increased Visibility Recommended by Experts

Many accident reports disclose that the automobile driver claims not to have been aware of the motorcycle until it was too late to avoid a crash. Traffic safety experts advise motorcyclists to do all they can to increase their visibility on the road, including wearing bright clothing and installing an extra headlight.

Consult a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

No matter how careful you are as a motorcycle driver, if you've been injured in a crash, you face medical bills and possible loss of wages. You need to enlist the services of an experienced personal injury attorney specializing in the special circumstances of motorcycle crashes.