Florida Motorcycle Accident Stats Bradenton Riders Should See
Many motorcyclists go their entire riding careers without experiencing accidents. However, that isn't always the case, especially in Florida, where bikes and riders are plentiful. Please, don't simply take our word for it, though. Instead, take a look at the stats we've uncovered from the FLHSMV or Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. That will give you an idea of how often motorcycle accidents happen across the state.
The data suggest that these incidents have been on the decline for the past three years. However, even though the figure from 2020 is lower than 2019 and 2018, it's still too high. In 2020, there were 8,045 total motorcycle crashes in the Sunshine State. The events caused 1,890 incapacitating injuries and 5,030 other injuries. Plus, motorcycle accidents claimed lives in 2020 with 552 fatalities.
Negligence Is Often Behind These Crashes
Motorcyclists can mess up, lay their bikes down or crash, and pay the price. But many times, negligent motorists, and not riders, are the causes behind accidents. Negligence takes many forms. Hence, we won't be able to cover them all here, but some examples will be provided. Drinking and driving, speeding, texting and driving, etc., are all types of negligence. Why is that important?
Because when Floridians get severely hurt in motorcycle accidents, they sometimes have the grounds to seek compensation for their damages. Riders shouldn't have to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to recover when they do nothing wrong. That's where a reputable personal injury lawyer can assist. These professionals collect evidence and build cases that support their clients to recover the restitution they deserve.
Expenses Can Get Out Of Hand
Don't people have insurance to deal with these matters? Why seek compensation? It's true, most drivers obtain auto insurance, as required by law, to cover the costs associated with accidents when they happen. However, that isn't always how things go down. Insurance companies are notorious for denying injury/damage claims for little to no reason at all. When that happens the injured are left to fend for themselves, which is easier said than done when they need medical care.
Why? Because healthcare costs in the United States are high. For example, according to research, if you need a CT scan after a wreck, the price for such an exam can run between $300 to $2,500 or more. What if you need x-rays? Cost Helper states those can cost $260 to $460 on average. So, if a person is hurt, unable to work, and does not have any money coming in, it's easy to see how things could get out of hand in a hurry.
Recovering the compensation you're rightfully owed will ensure you can actually afford the care you need when an insurer denies your claim. And what about those who pass away in motorcycle crashes because of negligence? Their family members are left to grieve and mourn. However, they must also take care of their final expenses like medical bills and funeral costs.
As for the latter, the average cost of a funeral and burial is $7,360 in the United States today, which most folks don't have in their savings. Thus, they do what they must and seek compensation to pay and put their loved ones to rest. Would you like to determine if you have a legitimate compensation claim? If so, look no further than Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh. Contact the firm to schedule a free case review with an accident attorney. They'll be happy to help you decide the appropriate course of action for your situation.
