Motorcycle Crashes with Cars often Occurs in Florida
Motorcycle wrecks are common in Florida. However, there are certain areas of the state where crashes between cars and motorcycles occur most often. According to Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), the following areas saw the most motorcycle crashes in 2020: Those areas include:
Miami-Dade County: 904 crashes
Broward County: 602 crashes
Hillsborough County: 579 crashes
Orange County: 470 crashes
Volusia County: 452 crashes
Other areas with high crash totals include Pinellas, Duval, and Palm Beach counties.
These Counties Saw Hundreds of Motorcycle Accident Injuries in 2020
The counties in the previous section saw hundreds of injuries and dozens of fatalities from motorcycle accidents in 2020:
- The 904 accidents in Miami-Dade County led to 720 injuries and 52 fatalities.
- The 602 crashes in Broward County caused 482 injuries and 49 fatalities.
- In Hillsborough County, 525 bikers were injured, and 32 lost their lives in wrecks in 2020.
- Over 400 bikers were injured, and 35 lost their lives in Orange in 2020.
- Volusia County motorcycle crashes caused 417 injuries and 37 fatalities in 2020.
Fatal Motorcycle Crashes in Urban vs. Rural Locations
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics from 2019, more fatal motorcycle crashes occurred in urban areas than in rural areas across the United States. Over 60 percent of fatal motorcycle wrecks were in urban areas.
Why More Motorcycle Crashes with Car Happen in Urban Areas
Larger cities are bustling with activity. There are more people packed into smaller areas. More cars, traffic jams, and confusion can all lead to more collisions. Traffic jams can also lead drivers to act negligently, e.g., a driver attempts to quickly change lanes to avoid stopped traffic and does not check for a motorcycle, causing an accident.
There are also often significantly higher road hazards in major cities. With potholes, roadside construction, debris, and other risk factors, motorcycle riders have more to watch out for. All of these conditions can lead to more crashes between cars and motorcycles.
Motorcycle Accidents Are More Common Away from Intersections
Most motorcycle accidents occur away from intersections (66% vs. 34%). One possible reason for this is awareness. Drivers are taught to be more diligent at intersections as traffic comes from all directions. Because a careless driver could violate traffic laws and cross our paths at any time, many of us tend to be more careful at intersections. We check our blind spots and survey oncoming traffic before turning or making another maneuver.
On highways and other roads away from intersections, we tend to drive faster. Because there are no intersections to be careful in, drivers of all kinds go faster. Speed could contribute to more accidents that happen away from intersections.
Motorcycle Accidents on Interstate and Non-Interstate Roads
An overwhelming majority of motorcycle crashes (91%) occurred on non-interstate roads in 2019, according to the NHTSA.
Motorcycle riders may choose non-interstate roads for a more scenic route. They may be riding more slowly and less defensively on non-interstate roads, which could lead to an accident.
Do Warmer Climates See More Motorcycle Crashes?
According to QuoteWizard’s 2017 study, more motorcycle crashes occur in states with warmer climates. This is hardly surprising. States with shorter winters, or no snow at all, also have longer motorcycle driving seasons.
Because these states have warm weather for more months in a calendar year, motorcycle enthusiasts see these areas as a way to enjoy the warmer weather longer. As a southern state that is typically warm year-round, Florida has one of the highest motorcycle fatality rates in the United States.
In fact, Florida had the highest number of fatalities (591) per 10,000 riders in 2019, according to NHTSA statistics aggregated by QuoteWizard. Florida had the seventh-highest motorcycle fatality rate in the nation, almost double the average fatality rate for the U.S. in 2019.
Ways to Protect Yourself from a Motorcycle Accident in Florida
Car and motorcycle crashes are all too common in Florida. Before you head out on your next ride, you should know how to protect yourself:
- Always wear your helmet
- Wear any necessary safety gear
- Drive defensively
- Never ride under the influence
- Ensure your insurance coverage is up-to-date
Schedule Your Free Motorcycle Accident Case Evaluation Today
Were you involved in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent or reckless driver? If you suffered serious injuries from your motorcycle accident, you may have crippling financial concerns from your medical bills and lost wages. You may be eligible for compensation. Our motorcycle accident lawyers Fort Lauderdale are here for a free case evaluation at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato.
We will look at the circumstances around your case and offer our guidance for your case. There is no obligation, and you will find out what your options are and what your case is worth. Call our offices at (954) 633-8270 today.
