Motorcycle Safety Awareness
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, giving riders a great opportunity to brush up on the laws and regulations designed to keep motorcyclists safe.
In the state of Florida, helmets are required for riders under the age of 21. If you are older than 21, you don’t have to wear a helmet so long as your insurance policy offers at least $10,000 in medical benefits. It’s a good idea to wear a helmet while riding regardless of state law. Studies have found that risks for brain injury are reduced by as much as 67% with helmet use.
While helmets are not always required, eye protection is, as are brakes on both front and back tires, a working horn, at least one mirror, and a headlamp that operates at all times. Turn signals and brake lights are also required.
Even with all these things, it remains illegal to ride in between lanes or to ride two abreast in the state of Florida.
Brushing up on safety regulations is a good way to help ensure you are doing everything possible to avoid an accident and to protect yourself if one occurs. You can find more information on Florida’s motorcycle laws here.
The Real Danger
Motorcyclists are often viewed as reckless. Popular culture is fond of depicting riders as outlaws who don’t care about safety. The facts don’t support this nonsense at all.
The leading cause of motorcycle accidents is the drivers of larger vehicles. This often happens when the larger of the two is turning, but is common with lane changes as well. Bias against motorcyclists can cloud the better judgment of police, insurance adjusters, and others responsible for assigning blame. This is entirely unacceptable.
Hickey Law Firm understands that every accident deserves a thorough investigation conducted by qualified, experienced, unbiased professionals. We leave no stone unturned in our accident investigations and we are not afraid to stand up to powerful interests in the name of justice. If you have been injured while riding, we are here to listen to your side, determine who was actually liable, and fight for your rights every step of the way.
If you need an aggressive motorcycle accident lawyer in or around Miami, please call our office at 305-371-8000 to schedule a free and case review. NOBODY FIGHTS HARDER. NOBODY FIGHTS SMARTER. NOBODY. HICKEY LAW FIRM.
Attorney John H. (Jack) Hickey and his team handle a wide range of cases, including but not limited to cruise ship accidents, admiralty and maritime accident cases, medical malpractice, wrongful death, premises liability, railroad accidents and car accidents. We represent victims from all over the nation, the world and the state of Florida.