Florida Motorcycle Accidents on the Rise; Medical Costs Significant

While the number of Florida motorcycle crashes and injuries suffered by riders and their passengers continues to fluctuate yearly, a Ride Smart Florida study shows an upward trend beginning in 2011.

The study also notes medical care for the injured can be pricey:

• Nearly $412 million was expended on the initial treatment for motorcyclists injured in accidents in 2011.
• Nearly half of motorcycle injury hospitalizations and emergency serves were not covered by commercial insurance.
• Median charges to treat injuries from motorcycle accidents in 2011 were nearly $3,600.
• Median charges for motorcycle accident victims admitted to Florida hospitals in 2011 was nearly $57,000.

Pain, suffering, economic uncertainty, confusion and legal questions may all be part of a life change experience following a motorcycle crash. Our Florida motorcycle accident attorneys at Johnson & Gilbert, P.A., note it’s generally a good idea to explore legal assistance to resolve important issues related to the incident.

Florida motorcycle accident fatalities more than doubled from the year 2000 to 2008, jumping from eight percent of all traffic fatalities in the state to nearly 18 percent. Motorcycle fatalities dropped to 14.3 percent of all traffic fatalities between 2008 and 2010, but jumped back up to 17 percent the following year.

There were close to 9,000 motorcycle crashes, with more than 7,000 injuries in 2011, down from the 2008 highs of nearly 10,000 crashes and more than 8,000 injuries, but more than 2010 totals of less than 8,000 crashes, with fewer than 7,000 injuries.

The median age of motorcyclists fatally injured in 2011 was 40, while riders between the ages of 24 and 34 suffered the greatest number of fatalities, followed by those between the ages of 45 and 54.

The crash study revealed 29 percent of motorcycle accident fatalities resulted from traumatic brain injury, while injuries to multiple body regions accounted for 35 percent of the deaths. Nine percent died from injuries to the thorax and thirty percent from injuries to various body regions. Nearly 19 percent of all Florida traffic fatalities involved motorcyclists and their passengers.

With more than 627,000 motorcyclists in Florida, representing nearly four percent of the motoring public, having experienced legal counsel is important should an accident occur. Contact the motorcycle accident attorneys at Johnson & Gilbert if you’ve been involved in an accident. Call them at 386.673.4412 or toll-free at 800.556.8890 to arrange a free consultation.