How Dangerous Is It to Ride a Motorcycle in Florida?

Florida is a popular destination for motorcyclists, and many motorcyclists call Florida home. With our amazing weather and stunning vistas, this makes sense. It’s one of the biggest reasons why thousands of bikers gather each year for Bike Week in Daytona Beach. Who wouldn’t want to get out onto the open road here?

Unfortunately, our state is also one of the most dangerous places to ride.

The most recent report, for 2015, found that 606 motorcyclists died here in crashes. The number was up 30 percent from 2014. Although motorcycles make up a tiny percentage of all Florida vehicles, they make up 20 percent of state vehicle fatalities.

Facts about Motorcycle Accidents

About 75% of motorcycle accidents involve collisions with another vehicle. Two out of three of these accidents are attributed to the driver of the other vehicle violating the motorcycle driver’s right-of-way because they cannot see the motorcycle. Additionally, most motorcycle accidents happen at around 30 mph, also near or inside an intersection.

In the remaining 25% of motorcycle accidents, two out of three are due to rider mistakes.

The typical motorcyclist involved in an accident is likely to be:

• Male
• Between 16 and 24 years old
• Self-taught driver (special training reduces injury risk)
• Driving with a record of prior traffic violations
• Driving without a valid license
• Driving a motorcycle with modifications
• Not wearing a helmet (about 40% of accidents involved use of helmets)
• Not carrying insurance for property or medical expenses
• Injured in an accident (over 95% chance)

Facts about Motorcycle Accident Fatalities

• Motorcycle fatalities occur most often on two-lane highways, followed by four-lane highways.
• Fatal crashes occur more often at speeds at least 20 mph over the posted maximum speed limit.
• Deadly crashes happen most often in April, followed closely by November.
• Saturdays and Sundays are the deadliest crash days in Florida.
• Motorcycle accidents have a much higher risk of fire than other vehicle accidents.
• Almost 40 percent of motorcycle accident fatalities involve alcohol use.
• Accidents with drivers who do not wear helmets have a much higher risk of injury or death.

That last one is important because helmet requirements in Florida vary by the driver’s age. Drivers between 16 and 21 years old must wear a helmet. A driver over 21 is not required to wear a helmet as long as they have medical insurance that carries a coverage of at least $10,000 for crash-related injuries.

A 2015 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that helmets saved over 1,750 lives that year, and over 700 more lives could have been saved if all motorcycle riders had worn their helmets. Helmets lower the death risk by almost 40 percent and the head injury risk by nearly 70 percent.

Which brings us to…

Facts about Motorcycle Injuries (and How to Treat Them)

Helmets are the best prevention against head and neck injuries, but they’re not the only place you’re vulnerable if you’re on a motorcycle. In fact, half of all motorcycle injuries occur in the following areas: leg, knee, and ankle.

The most serious motorcycle accident injuries will likely require the help of a traditional physician – and may even necessitate surgery. However, if you suffer soft-tissue or musculoskeletal issues in your crash, one of the best trips you can make is to your chiropractor.

A skilled chiropractor can help you with any problems related to the misalignment of your neck and spine, as well as damage to muscles, ligaments, and more. Get back on track – reach out to us today to set up an evaluation.

About the Author: 

Dr. Singer has been a practicing chiropractor for more than 20 years, and USA Health & Therapy has been around since 2004. Over the course of his career, Singer has helped tens of thousands of people with all kinds of issues by using a wide variety of treatment strategies. He has extensive knowledge of chiropractic modalities, including Gonstead, Diversified, Thompson Drop Table, and Activator, and in 1997 he earned a special adjunctive Chiropractic Certification in Spinal Trauma (CCST) to better provide care for car crash victims. Dr. Singer is licensed to practice chiropractic medicine in both Florida and New York.