According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the cost of motorcycle accidents was about $16 billion in 2010. Some officials say it’s even higher than that because there are some costs that are tough to factor in, like long-term medical care.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), society bears about three-quarters of the measurable costs of traffic accidents. Our share of the costs of motorcycle accidents might be similar or even higher because the injuries are typically more serious than those involving other vehicles.
Our Cape Coral motorcycle accident lawyers understand that there are number of factors that can contribute to a motorcycle accident. One of the most common is driver inattention. Motorcycle helmet laws can help to reduce the risks of injury and even death in the event of an accident, but they don’t help to eliminate accidents. Currently, the state of Florida only requires riders under the age of 21 to wear a motorcycle helmet. There are only 19 states that have motorcycle laws on the books to keep all riders in a helmet.
Transportation officials say that there’s a lot we can do to help to keep these vulnerable riders safe. They add that we can also educate law enforcement officers about motorcycle safety in order to strengthen enforcement.
To help to keep motorcyclists safe, officials with the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) are backing the GOA. One of the main things that GHSA approves and supports is flexibility in the use of federal funds to help to raise awareness and address the safety of motorcyclists.
The NHTSA is scheduled to release a plan of motorcycle safety research efforts in 2013. Officials with GHSA are saying that they look forward to this research roadmap.
This kind of research and safety effort is critical, especially here in the state of Florida. A recent release from the NHTSA reported that the number of motorcycle accident fatalities is actually on the rise.
Florida continues to be ranked among the top states for these kinds of accidents. Motorcyclists from around the country visit South Florida all year. Florida provides nearly 365 days of beautiful weather and ideal conditions for the motorcycle enthusiast.
And, unlike in much the rest of the country, winter is riding season in South Florida.
It’s important that motorists do their job and keep an eye out for motorcyclists along our roadways. In many of these accident cases, motorcyclists are simply overlooked by drivers. We need to take that extra second and look for these drivers. They have rights to our roadways and those rights need to be respected!
Let’s do what we can in 2013 to make it a safer year.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a motorcycle accident, call Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call 1-800-283-2900 today.
More Blog Entries:
Motorcycle Accidents on the Rise in the Sunshine State, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, December 11, 2012
Fort Myers Motorcycle Accident Illustrates Winter Riding Risks, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, December 3, 2012