The latest statistics show that motorcycle fatalities went up in 2008, despite the fact that car accident deaths went down.  Motorcycle accident deaths have been on the rise over the past decade and have more than doubled since 1997.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 5,091 people were killed in motorcycle accidents across the nation.  That represents 14 percent of all accident fatalities in the United States.  Riders in the age group of 40 years and older accounted for half of the deaths in 2008.

This significant increase in motorcycle deaths makes you wonder what is causing this alarming trend.  Could it be that motorists are more distracted by cell phones, text messaging and other gadgets?  Or could it just be that there are more motorcyclists on the road and therefore more accidents?

There are some precautions that can be taken to help reduce the likelihood of sustaining a fatal injury in a Florida motorcycle accident, including wearing a helmet.  Florida does not require that every driver wear a motorcycle helmet, but doing so could save your life in a serious motorcycle crash.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Daytona Beach or other area in Florida, you should contact Johnson & Gilbert at 800-556-8890 for legal advice.  You may be entitled to compensation.