This past weekend, tens of thousands of bikers, motorcycle enthusiasts and curious visitors descended on Daytona Beach to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Biketoberfest. Despite cloudy skies and a bit of rain, event-goers were able to enjoy live music, motorcycle races, and scenic ride-alongs the entire weekend.
Unfortunately, with the sheer amount of bikers on the road, accidents were bound to happen.
A motorcyclist who died in a hit-and-run on Sunday was the sixth biker killed in three days in Central Florida. On Friday, three men died in Volusia County; two in a multiple-vehicle collision and another after losing control of his bike. In Orange County, two people were killed after a car suddenly pulled in front of their motorcycle.
Protect Yourself
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Florida leads the nation in motorcycle deaths. In 2015, 606 motorcyclists were killed, a figure 30% higher than the year before. One of the reasons this number has risen is because in Florida, motorcyclists are not required to wear a helmet while riding, as long as they are over 21 years old and have medical insurance coverage of at least $10,000.
If you are a motorcyclist in Florida, it is crucial that you wear a helmet every time you ride. Statistics show that helmets are about 37% effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and 67% effective in preventing brain injuries. In addition to helmets, you should also wear other appropriate safety gear; gloves, long sleeves and thick pants can protect you from road rash if you are thrown from your bike.
You should also be adequately insured to help pay for the costs of any injuries and damages incurred in an accident. One type of insurance that is constantly overlooked is Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. While it is not required in Florida, UM insurance protects you from uninsured and underinsured drivers by paying for medical bills, lost wages, long-term nursing care, and pain and suffering; best of all, it’s relatively inexpensive.
Lastly, you need to make sure that you stay visible when on the road, perform regular inspections of your motorcycle, never drive while tired, watch for less-experienced riders at large events and plan ahead when riding in a group.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, contact Todd Miner Law®️ to speak with our Orlando motorcycle accident attorney about your legal options.
