Daytona Beach welcomes close to 500,000 motorcyclists to the area for its 71st annual Bike Week celebration. The events that run from March 9 to March 18 offer bikers an opportunity to explore the Florida coast and to get to know their fellow motorcyclists through festivities including motorcycle racing, concerts, parties, and street festivals. Unfortunately, the week also brings a spike in the number of motorcycle accidents across the state.
According to statistics on motorcycle fatalities during Bike Week, the number of fatalities peaked at 20 in 2006, and since then,there has been a steady decline. Last year four bikers died during Bike Week.
Over the weekend, however, there were several tragic accidents involving motorcyclists. According to the Orlando Sentinel, a firefighter from Orlando died in a car crash, his passenger was critically injured, and a third motorcyclist suffered serious injuries when a car turned into the motorcyclists’ path. The bikers were attending Bike Week.
In an accident last week in Lake Wales, Florida, a tractor-trailer crossed the center line and struck an SUV and motorcycle. The motorcyclist died and the SUV driver was critically injured. According to WTSP News, the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet.
American Bikers Aiming Toward Education (ABATE) sends a contingent to Bike Week each year to not only enjoy the events, but to also inform “the non-riding public about motorcycle awareness and safe ways to share the road with motorcycles.” The organization created the “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program” in hopes of reducing motorcycle fatalities and crashes “through education not legislation.”
In 2010, there were 7,484 motorcycle accidents with 383 fatalities in Florida. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has identified alcohol, speeding and lack of helmet use as primary factors in motorcycle fatalities.
Although Florida law does not require riders over the age of 21 to wear safety helmets when riding a motorcycle, statistics show the use of a safety helmet can improve the odds for a motorcyclist surviving an accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that helmet usage is 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcyclists and 41% effective for the passengers.
Our Treasure Coast motorcycle accident attorneys welcome all bikers to the area and hope they enjoy the events at Bike Week. We also urge riders to wear a helmet, regardless of the law, and to follow the rules of the road to help prevent your fun from turning tragic. We also ask all drivers to be extra cautious and alert through the end of Bike Week, and to share the road with our biking guests.
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A Florida motorcycle accident caused by another driver can leave you with serious, life-altering injuries. You need a motorcycle accident lawyer to stand up for your legal rights. It’s reassuring to know you can trust the law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney. Our Florida motorcycle wreck lawyers have more than three decades of experience with vehicle accident claims, including those involving motorcycles.
If you’ve had a serious motorcycle accident and you need help, turn to the law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney. Call 888-733-5675 now to speak with a compassionate motorcycle accident attorney or fill out our online contact form.
