Even though it may be difficult to remember when you get cut off, people on the road are generally trying to be safe. sometimes, even with everyone’s best efforts, accidents do occur and sadly, many of these are quite serious. This is especially true for those who are riding on motorcycles, as they simply do not have the protection of a car or truck body surrounding them. While there has been a lot of education and awareness regarding motorcycles on the road, there are still more motorcycle fatalities in Florida than in any state – 516 deaths in 2021 alone. There are many reasons for this danger, not the least of which being that there are nearly 600,000 registered motorcycles in Florida, drawn by the beautiful warm weather. Motorcycle accidents are typically caused by a few common situations, detailed below.

6 Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

DUI: Substance abuse – often alcohol – is a factor in many motorcycle accidents, just as with all vehicle accidents. Accidents may be caused by the motorcycle rider being impaired, or they may be hit by an impaired driver. Either way, it is a primary cause of these types of accidents.
Speeding Accidents: It is not hard to see driving our highways – many people do not have a problem with speeding, many times excessively so. Speeding represents a significant amount of motorcycle accidents. As with DUI, it may be the motorcyclist speeding, or they may be hit by a speeding driver. The problem with speeding for anyone on the road is that it significantly minimizes the drivers’ ability to react. For motorcyclists, the higher the speed, the most tragic the impact.
Distracted Drivers: Distracted driving has become as prevalent as driving under the influence, thanks to the advent of smartphones. Then again, drivers may be distracted by a burger or a crying child. Anything that events a driver from giving their full attention to the road ahead of them represents a significant danger to everyone else on the road – especially those on motorcycles.
Left-Hand Turns: One of the most common reasons for Florida motorcycle accidents is simply making left-hand turns. Also called “t-boning,” this kind of motorcycle accident is fairly common because they are smaller and less visible to motorists than other vehicles. Whenever making a left turn or changing lanes, look twice to ensure that there is not a motorcycle in your blind spot.
Dangerous Road Conditions: Hazardous road conditions, such as potholes or spilled gravel, can cause motorcycle accidents even if another vehicle is not involved. In Florida, we also have severe rainstorms that brew up out of nowhere, creating slippery roads and dangerous conditions for motorcycles.
No-Contact Crashes: It is possible for motorists to be the cause of motorcycle accidents even if they never have any contact with the motorcycle. Motorcycles are often not readily seen, so they find themselves dodging cars merging into their lane or avoiding someone turning into their path. When a motorcycle has to make a sudden evasive maneuver, they can easily find themselves as a victim of a single-vehicle accident.

Motorcyclists have the same rights as any vehicle operator on Florida roads, and victims of motorcycle accidents may deserve compensation. If you feel that you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, call Probinsky & Cole to discuss the merits of your case.