Most Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents In Florida
Michael Babboni
Motorcycle Accidents
Florida is one of the most dangerous states for motorists, with more than 1000 accidents occurring per day on its roads. Motorcycles are no exception here, as more than 8000 motorcycle accidents occur every year. Motorcyclists should know the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in St. Petersburg, Florida so they can avoid them.6 Most Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents
Improper Left Turn By A Car
In Florida, motorists attempting to turn left must yield to oncoming traffic. However, this rule is often ignored when the oncoming vehicle is a motorcycle, which then results in a collision. Collisions from improper left turns could still result in serious injuries for motorcyclists since they could lose control or be ejected from their seat.
Intersection Collision Or Running A Red Light Or Stop Sign
The safety of our roads rely on all motorists following the rules. So, when the light turns red or if there is a stop sign, other motorists have a right to expect those on the other side of the road to stop and let them pass. However, this is not always the case.
Intersection collisions often happen when one vehicle approaches an intersection at regular speed expecting motorists on other sides to stop, but another motorist decides to run the red light. Intersection collisions often involve high impact due to the speed of one or both vehicles, which can be fatal for motorcyclists.
Speeding
Speed limits are imposed to keep roads safe, but as you may already know, not many people follow speed limits all the time. All types of motorists—those cars, motorcycles, trucks, etc.—go beyond the speed limit. Excessive speed makes vehicles sometimes difficult to control, which is why it commonly leads to various types of accidents.
Dangerous Road Conditions
Accidents are not always caused by the motorist. Sometimes, motorcycle riders get into accidents or single-vehicle accidents due to dangerous road conditions. Potholes, slick roads, or uneven pavement are some of the common reasons a motorcyclist may lose control and get into a serious accident.
Motorcyclist Lane Splitting
Another common cause of motorcycle accidents in Florida is the practice of lane splitting. This is when a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of slow or stopped traffic. This is done to get ahead of traffic, but it is dangerous. Other drivers may not see or be aware of the presence of the motorcyclist sharing their lane and so may make a move that could send the motorcyclist on the ground. Lane splitting is illegal precisely because it is dangerous.
Improper Lane Change
Motorcycles and cars may also crash into each other when one fails to check their surroundings for other vehicles before executing a lane change. There are many reasons for this, such as distracted driving or saccadic masking, which is the phenomenon of failing to see something in plain sight as a result of the brain filtering out information. When saccadic masking takes place, the driver may not notice “minor” details such as pedestrians and motorcycles. Regardless of the reason, improper lane change may result in accidents that are debilitating for motorcyclists.
Do Motorcyclists Need A Lawyer After An Accident?
Although Florida is a no-fault state, meaning each driver's insurance will cover their losses and medical bills, it is not uncommon for motorcyclists to be unfairly blamed for accidents. The motorcyclist may end up not receiving proper compensation if they are considered at-fault for the accident. An experienced motorcycle attorney can help a motorcyclist receive the rightful compensation, especially when their injuries are the result of another party's negligence.