Ocala area residents who ride motorcycles must have legal authorization to do so. Under Florida law, all riders must either have a motorcycle designation on their driver’s license, or must have a license specifically for riding motorcycles. Part of the licensing process is that all applicants must take a riding safety course. Accordingly, any licensed motorcyclist in the state of Florida should appreciate the inherent dangers of riding a motorcycle.
Most riders understand that motorcycles are more dangerous than cars and other vehicles. But they may not be aware of the common characteristics of motorcycle accidents. One common theme is that motorcycle crashes lead to injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists suffer injury or death in more than 80 percent of motorcycle accidents.
The NHTSA also notes that motorcycle accidents often result in the rider getting ejected from the motorcycle. This usually causes the rider to hit objects, like other vehicles, or the ground, with their body. When the motorcyclist is ejected and hits the ground or any other object, it can cause broken bones, head injury and even death.
Data from the NHTSA shows that most accidents between motorcycles and other vehicles occur at intersections. In addition, roughly one-third of motorcycle accidents involving other vehicles are a result of the other vehicle turning into the motorcyclist’s pathway.
The dangers of motorcycles mean that motorcyclists have a heavy burden to always be on high alert while they are riding. But, other drivers must also do their part to keep motorcyclists as safe as possible. If another vehicle causes an accident with a motorcycle, the driver of that vehicle will likely have legal liability for all of the injuries that the rider suffers.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “The Anatomy of a Motorcycle Crash,” Accessed on Dec. 5, 2014
