At What Speed Do Most Motorcycle Accidents Happen?

Motorcycle accidents can cause serious damage and injury. Accidents involving a motorcycle in Florida have been reported to happen at a median speed of approximately 30 miles per hour. 

However, like all auto collisions, motorcycle crashes can happen at both slower and faster speeds. Crashes involving a motorcycle can have lasting impacts on both your health and your finances.

While recovering from a motorcycle accident, it’s important to get your legal affairs in order. A trusted legal team can help you receive maximum compensation and help set you up for future success.

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Avoiding Motorcycle Collisions Caused by Speed

Speed-related accidents in Florida may be relatively common, but that does not necessarily make all of them inevitable. You can take a few simple steps to prevent auto collisions.

Slow Down

While this may be initially obvious, one of the most effective ways to avoid getting into a motorcycle accident initiated by speed is to watch how fast you are going. Avoid aggressively passing other cars on the road and pay attention to posted signs regarding speed limits.

Watch the Weather

Rainy, icy or snowy conditions can make braking more difficult or cause you to slip off of the road entirely. If you are a motorcycle rider, pay special attention to weather conditions that may make riding on two wheels particularly risky.

Maintain Following Distance

Riding too closely to other cars may make stopping quickly more difficult. Keep back an appropriate distance so that you have a chance to react to your surroundings before an accident occurs. When stopped, some riders prefer to sit closer to one side of the road or the other in order to increase visibility in the rearview mirrors of nearby vehicles.

Receiving Compensation after a Motorcycle Accident

After a motorcycle accident, you may sustain minor or significant injuries. These conditions can put you in the hospital for a matter of days to weeks. Your insurance may cover these initial medical expenses, but you may be eligible for financial support to help make up for other things, such as:

• Lost wages: Injuries or other long term conditions sustained during an accident can keep you out of work for long periods of time. You may be able to prove that, as a direct result of a crash, you lost out on potential earnings.
• Pain and suffering: Lasting impacts from injuries can significantly affect your overall quality of life. You may be entitled to a settlement that accounts for this change.
• Loss of future income / earning potential: More extensive conditions may preclude you from pursuing further income or earning as much as you might have otherwise. In some circumstances, you may be able to receive compensation for what you would hypothetically be earning if the accident had not occurred.
• Extended medical attention: Some injuries, like muscle strains or complex fractures, can require lengthy physical therapy in order to heal properly. Compensation may be available to help cover the costs of longer hospital stays or other ongoing medical attention even as far as years after the initial collision.
• Wrongful death: In the most tragic cases, you may receive compensation for the loss of a family member or loved one. These cases are often decided in court.

The exact amount that you can receive depends on a variety of factors, including the extent of your injuries and your method of pursuing compensation. In many cases, it is wise to seek legal counsel before pursuing financial reimbursement in any case regarding a vehicle collision.

Additional Causes of Motorcycle Collision

While speed is a common factor in most auto accidents, there are plenty of other common reasons why motorcycle accidents in Florida occur. Being aware of these factors in other collisions can help you make smarter choices while out on the road.

Failure to Yield

Drivers who don’t see or intentionally look for motorcyclists may unknowingly cut off a biker while driving. This may force the rider to either swerve into another lane to avoid a collision or force the bike to crash into the car.

Lane Splitting

In high traffic areas, you may see motorcyclists pass between two stopped or slow vehicles. Doing so may seem convenient, but it can be a dangerous move. Drivers may not be aware that a biker is approaching from behind them and may accidentally move into their path.

Unsafe Driving

Distracted drivers, or those who drive under the influence, will likely have a slower reaction time than safe drivers. This may cause them to break too slowly or move over too late to avoid a collision with a motorcycle.

Road Conditions

Potholes, cracks in the road and other obstacles in the path of a motorcycle may force a rider to make decisions they would not opt for in a car. If a rider comes upon a road that has not been well-maintained, it may be wise to slow down to avoid colliding with another object.

Other Safety Measures for Motorcycle Riders

If you ride a motorcycle in the state of Florida, you may wish to take additional safety precautions in order to avoid extensive injuries or dodge accidents altogether.

Wear Appropriate Riding Gear

A motorcycle rider should always ride while wearing a high-quality motorcycle helmet that fits them well. If you get into an accident, or if your helmet is damaged some other way, replace your helmet as soon as possible. Helmets that are dented or cracked do not provide as much protection as undamaged ones.

In addition, consider wearing a full outfit that is good for riding. Sturdy materials, such as leather, make for good riding jackets and pants. Gloves and over-the-ankle books protect your hands and feet from rocks and debris that may fly by as you ride.

Make Yourself as Visible as Possible

Because of their size, motorcycles can be harder for a driver to notice than another car or vehicle. To help negate this factor, make yourself and your ride as visible as possible. Consider riding with your headlight(s) on at all times, even in daylight. You may also want to add reflective decals to your bike and/or your clothing.

Take Care of Your Bike

When riding regularly, it can feel tempting to simply trust that your motorcycle will operate as it usually does. However, one fault can cause a major accident.

Make a habit of checking your motorcycle before getting out on the road. Ensure that your tire pressure is where it should be, all of your lights work, and you can clearly see any displays shown on your bike. Not only will this lower your risk of a vehicle fault-related accident, it can also help increase the lifespan of your motorcycle.

Find a Florida Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

No matter the cause, motorcycle accidents should always be addressed swiftly and with professionalism. If you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident on Florida roads, get in touch with a legal group that will fight for every dollar you are owed. 

The team at Kogan &DiSalvo understand that it’s not just a case. It’s your life. Protect it with highly reviewed legal counsel from a group dedicated to helping Floridians get back on their feet. Contact us today for an evaluation of your case at no charge.