How To Be a Safe Driver for Motorcyclists in Ocala, FL
Riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists have a 28 times higher chance of dying in accidents than motorists.
More importantly, automobile drivers cause more than half of the collisions between motorcycles and automobiles. These motorcycle accidents can injure or kill motorcyclists, leading to massive losses to riders and their families.
Learn how you can become a safer driver for motorcyclists in Ocala, FL, and what you need to know about the liability drivers have for motorcycle accidents in Florida.
How Allen Law Firm, P.A. Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Ocala
Allen Law Firm, P.A. serves accident victims in Ocala and across Florida. Since its founding, the firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in injury compensation for its clients after all types of injuries and accidents, including Ocala truck accidents, Ocala commercial vehicle accidents, Ocala distracted driving accidents, car accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and more.
The firm’s Ocala motorcycle accident attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience. They have also earned many honors and awards, including:
- 10.0 Superb rating by Avvo, its highest rating
- AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbel, its highest rating
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers according to The National Trial Lawyers
Some of the ways the firm can help with your case in Ocala, Florida, include:
- Negotiating a fair settlement agreement on your behalf
- Collecting evidence and launching an internal investigation to strengthen your claim
- Hiring experts to analyze your case and testify at trial if necessary
After a motorcycle accident, you will likely face expensive medical treatment and therapy. You may also suffer disabilities that prevent you from working. Contact Allen Law Firm for a free consultation to discuss the compensation you can recover for your motorcycle injuries.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Ocala, FL?
Florida releases local accident statistics on the Florida Traffic Safety Dashboard. All accident statistics given below come from this resource.
Ocala had 64 motorcycle crashes on city streets and five motorcycle crashes on state and interstate highways in 2021. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Marion County has about 14,600 registered motorcycles. This means only a tiny fraction of motorcyclists in Ocala get into motorcycle crashes.
At the same time, Ocala has the county’s highest concentration of motorcycle accidents. So motorcyclists in Ocala have a higher chance of getting into a crash than motorcyclists elsewhere in the county.
Overview of How To Be a Safe Driver for Motorcyclists in Ocala, FL
When a driver causes a motorcycle crash, the driver may bear liability for the accident. Florida’s no-fault insurance system does not apply to motorcyclists. This means injured motorcyclists can only get injury compensation by pursuing a claim against the at-fault driver.
If you cause an accident that injures a motorcyclist, the motorcyclist can file a claim against your insurance or sue you.
You could face a substantial damages claim for a motorcycle accident. In Ocala in 2021, 69 crashes caused four fatalities and dozens of injuries. The injuries included 13 incapacitating injuries like paralysis, brain damage, and other disabling injuries.
Some tips for reducing your risk of causing a motorcycle crash include:
Watch for Motorcyclists at Intersections
Slightly more than half of motorcycle crashes in Ocala happened at intersections. Intersection crashes often result from:
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Improper left turns across a motorcyclist’s path
- Improper right turns into a motorcyclist’s path
To avoid these accidents, you must spot oncoming motorcyclists and treat them like any other vehicle. Some drivers can make this adjustment by simply exercising additional care. But other drivers need to change how they think.
In one study, 48% of drivers in a simulator failed to spot a motorcycle. These drivers were looking for traffic hazards, but the existence of the motorcycle did not register in their minds. To avoid a looked-but-failed-to-see accident, you need to treat motorcycles like every other vehicle so that your mind registers them when your eyes spot them.
Check Your Blind Spots
Slightly less than half of motorcycle crashes in Ocala happened between intersections. These road accidents happen for different reasons than intersection accidents. Road accidents often result from:
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Improper lane changes
Drivers can easily remedy the first two causes. Drivers who slow down and leave more space when following a motorcycle will give themselves more time to avoid a motorcycle accident.
Remedying the third cause might require you to change your driving habits. The smaller size of motorcycles allows them to get lost in a driver’s blind spots. To reduce your chances of hitting a motorcyclist when you change lanes, you must look at your blind spots rather than relying on your mirrors.
Avoid Distractions
Many accidents in Ocala result from distractions. Distractions can cause you to miss seeing motorcyclists near your vehicle. They also reduce the time you have to react to a motorcyclist slowing down or stopping ahead of you.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Ocala Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
While many drivers try to drive safely around all road users, some do not care about the risks they pose to pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and motorcyclists. When a careless driver hits your motorcycle, contact Allen Law Firm for a free consultation with an Ocala motorcycle accident attorney to discuss your legal options for injury compensation at (352) 351-3258.
