Florida motorcycle accident statistics tell us a lot about motorcycle safety. Whether you’ve just been in an accident, you want to get a motorcycle for the first time, or you’re curious about the overall safety and current accident rates, motorcycle accident statistics are important. Our Tampa attorneys for motorcycle accidents can help you get more insight into what to do after a motorcycle accident and explain current trends with Florida motorcycle accident statistics.
The latest stats from Florida’s 2022 Annual Traffic Crash Facts Report detail the following:
- There were 9,270 motorcycle crashes in Florida in 2022
- Of those total motorcycle crashes, there were 631 fatalities from accidents, with 605 of those deaths being motorcycle driver fatalities and 26 being passenger fatalities
- 1,999 drivers suffered incapacitating injuries, while 154 passengers suffered such injuries
- 5,929 motorcycle drivers and 479 passengers suffered other injuries
Do Motorcycle Helmets Save Lives?
Yes, motorcycle helmets save lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that wearing a helmet while riding reduces the risk of death by 37% for riders and 41% for passengers. They also effectively prevent the risk of head injury by 69%.
According to an NHTSA report, helmet use saved an estimated 1,872 lives in 2019. The data clearly shows that helmets save lives, and many states have adopted motorcycle helmet laws to increase safety awareness and practices.
Florida’s Motorcycle Helmet Law
Motorcycle helmets save lives by reducing the risk of head trauma and death when an accident occurs. Florida follows 18 other states that have a universal motorcycle helmet law.
Under Florida Statute 316.211 (2), a person may not operate or ride on a motorcycle unless they wear a helmet that complies with Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard 218 promulgated by the United States Department of Transportation.
How Many Motorcyclists Were Killed in Motor Vehicle Crashes in Florida in 2022 and 2023?
According to the Florida Crash Dashboard, motorcyclist deaths in 2023 and 2022 have ticked up slightly compared to previous years but have remained within average ranges overall. In 2021, there were 621 fatalities, while 2022 saw 631 fatalities. In 2023, that number fell slightly to 600 fatalities.
How Many Motorcycle Deaths Happen in Florida Each Year?
Currently, the average motorcycle death each year in Florida hovers at around 600 deaths.
Over the past couple of years, motorcycle deaths have slowly increased. There has been a 3.60% increase in motorcyclist fatalities from 2021 to 2022. In 2019 and 2018, motorcycle fatalities were at 521 and 506, respectively. Similarly, there was a 2.96% increase from 2018 to 2019.
Why Are Florida Motorcycle Fatality Rates So High?
There are many reasons why Florida’s motorcycle fatality rates are some of the highest in the nation. Naturally, one of the leading reasons is the lack of protection motorcycles offer drivers and their occupants. When it comes to Florida in particular, the nature of the sunshine state attracts motorcyclists who may not always practice the best safety habits like avoiding lane-splitting, wearing a helmet, and obeying posted speed limits. State pressure to improve motorcycle awareness among the public and safety standards aims to change this.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Tampa/Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County and the greater Tampa area is a popular destination for motorcyclists. As such, this county has some of the highest motorcycle accident rates in the state. Tampa and Hillsborough County motorcycle accident statistics are as follows:
- There were 584 motorcycle crashes and 37 fatalities in 2021
- There were 603 motorcycle crashes and 47 fatalities in 2022
- There were 585 motorcycle crashes and 39 fatalities in 2023
What Is the Single Most Dangerous Situation for Motorcyclists?
The single most dangerous situation for motorcyclists is a head-on collision. More fatal accidents occur because of a head-on crash than any other cause. A head-on collision often occurs when a motorcyclist or a driver of a passenger vehicle deviates from their lane of travel onto the opposite lane of travel.
In rural areas, head-on collisions can also occur with roadway hazards, deer, and other wildlife that are on the roadway.
What Is the Most Common Cause of Motorcycle Accidents?
As with passenger vehicles, there are many common causes of motorcycle accidents in Florida. One of the most common causes is when a driver strays from the travel lane or disobeys right-of-way laws.
More fatal motorcycle accidents occur because of a head-on collision than any other cause. That can include a head-on crash on a two-way road or a situation where one vehicle turns in front of the other without having the right of way.
Other common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- A vehicle disobeying the rules of the road for the right of way and hits a motorcyclist as a result
- When a motorcycle driver is inexperienced and does not know how to maneuver their vehicle when a hazard appears
- Accidents where a motorcyclist is hit by a car because the passenger vehicle driver is driving drunk, impaired, or distracted and strikes a motorcyclist
- Motorcyclists lane-splitting. This is when a motorcyclist drives in the middle of two lanes going in the same direction or when they share a lane with another driver.
- Motorcyclists driving in the blind spot of passenger vehicle drivers
- When motorcyclists are the victims of hit-and-run collisions
Statistics on Florida Motorcycle Accidents and Injuries
The very nature of motorcycle accidents means that injuries tend to be more severe, life-threatening, and fatal than when compared to injuries in passenger vehicles. Below are the statistics of incapacitating motorcycle injuries and other injuries in 2022 and 2021.
- 1,999 motorcycle drivers suffered incapacitating motorcycle injuries in 2022, with 1,991 drivers suffering the same injuries in 2021
- 5,929 motorcycle drivers suffered other injuries in 2022, with 5,406 drivers suffering the same injuries in 2021
- 154 motorcycle passengers suffered incapacitating injuries in 2022, with 178 passengers suffering the same injuries in 2021
- 479 motorcycle passengers suffered other injuries in 2022, with 433 passengers suffering the same injuries in 2021
There has also been a measurable trend between the different times of year when motorcycle accidents are more likely to occur. Recent data from Ride Smart Florida details the following motorcycle accidents and injury statistics:
Motorcyclists suffer the highest rate of serious injuries in March. The average rate between 2015 and 2022 has been just under 250 serious injuries. October follows closely, with an average of about 210 injuries. August sees the lowest rate, with about 150 serious injuries occurring.
Motorcyclists also have the highest fatality rate in March. Between 2015 and 2022, the average fatality rate has been just under 64 deaths. April and May closely follow with about 52 and 51 deaths, respectively.
Throughout the year, Saturdays and Saturdays are when motorcyclists have a higher risk of being involved in an accident that yields a severe injury or fatality.
Motorcycle Accidents and Your Legal Rights
When a Florida motorcycle accident causes serious injuries, the victim may have a right to recover compensation for their injuries. Florida follows “no-fault” auto insurance laws, meaning a victim’s personal injury protection insurance (PIP) kicks in to cover expenses, including medical losses and property damages. However, the severity of motorcycle accident injuries often exceeds these insurance benefits. That is when a victim can work with a car accident attorney to seek compensation from the other party through a car accident personal injury lawsuit.
Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident because of another driver’s negligence? Don’t be a victim twice! Our attorneys can help you aggressively defend your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Let us fight on your behalf for maximum compensation for your injuries. Our team is standing by to take your call.
Sources:
Motorcycle Injury Prevention.