There are a few factors that contribute to the higher rate of debilitating injuries among Florida motorcycle accidents, including:
Passenger vehicles have numerous safety measures to spread out the impact of a crash and protect vehicle occupants: crumple zones, seatbelts, and air bags, to name a few. Motorcyclists, on the other hand, are largely exposed. In a crash, motorcyclists can be flung violently from the vehicle, resulting in severe injuries.
Florida motorcycle safety guidelines strongly recommend wearing at least a helmet to prevent traumatic brain injuries caused by accidents. Helmets encase the riders head, providing an extra layer of cushioning and support that can drastically reduce the severity of impacts to the head. Helmets with face shields/visors also protect wearer’s eyes from debris kicked up by other vehicles. According to a NHTSA Crash Stats report, helmet use in 2016 saved over $1 billion in “comprehensive costs” (which includes economic costs and valuation for quality of life impacts) in the state of Florida alone.
These injuries are serious, life-altering affairs, such as spinal cord injuries (SCIs) that the injured person might not ever fully recover from. Common effects of catastrophic injuries include paralysis, loss of sensation, and decreased life expectancy.
These injuries are a result of trauma to the head, including sudden impacts, severe whiplash/shaking, or crushing injuries to the skull. These injuries may lead to serious (sometimes permanent) disabilities. TBIs are extremely common in Florida motorcycle accidents—especially when the motorcyclist does not wear a helmet.
When one person/organization’s negligent actions cause a motorcycle accident that results in a fatality, a lawsuit may be brought by the deceased’s family.
