Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
A motorcycle rider was seriously injured after reportedly crashing his bike into another vehicle in West Palm Beach. The accident happened at the intersection of Military Train and Forest Hill Boulevard at roughly 7:00 p.m., according to News Channel 5.
Capt. Albert Borroto with the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue reports that the motorcyclist was flown to the Delray Medical Center to be treated for injuries sustained in this crash.
Our West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyers understand that it’s that time of year again — the time when we see a whole lot of accidents along our South Florida roadways. As a matter of fact, the state of Florida is the second most dangerous for motorcycle accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
We ranked behind only Texas for the number of fatal car motorcycle accidents in 2010. During that year, there were close to 7,500 motorcycle accidents, more than 6,600 motorcyclist injuries and we saw close to 400 motorcycle riders killed in traffic accidents. Many of these accidents can be prevented with a little more awareness and attention behind the wheel — and behind those handlebars.
In 2010, motorcycle accidents accounted for close to 18 percent of all of the traffic accident fatalities in the state, according to Ride Smart Florida.
It’s the drivers between the ages of 45 and 64 who need to be the most careful, according to recent statistics. It’s this age group who were involved in the most accidents. The second most in-danger age group was those between the ages of 25 and 34.
These are costly accidents, too! In 2010, the median medical bill for one of these accidents in which a motorcyclist was admitted to the hospital was more than $55,500!
What plays a factor in these accident risks?
-Location: Florida is a popular tourist destination and host to a number of motorcycle enthusiast events.
-Close to 95 percent of motorcyclists who were killed in accidents in 2010 were in fact Florida residents.
-Helmet use in the state was observed at just under 50 percent in 2011.
-About a third of all motorcycle accidents involve alcohol.
-Weekends contribute to accidents significantly. About half of ll fatal motorcycle accidents happened on two-day weekends as opposed to the 5-day week.
As we round out the rest of 2012, our roadways are going to get pretty congested. Snowbirds are heading south, students are being let out of school and residents are cashing in on that vacation time. Safe and aware driving habits are your best defense against a potentially fatal car accident. Take the extra precaution and keep an eye out for motorcyclists.
Because in Florida, riding is a year-around activity.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case at 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Motorcycle Passenger Seriously Injured After Collision with Wall, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, November 20, 2012
Scooter Accident Sends Rider to Hospital in Critical Condition, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, September 29, 2012