With Daytona Bike Week just around the corner, the city can soon expect to see hundreds of thousands of bikers around town. While this event energizes the city with tourism and commerce, it also poses additional dangers on the road. Motorcyclists already face an increased risk of injury in general, but during Bike Week, drivers and bikers alike must be wary of the potential for an accident.
In the coming weeks, we hope to see the number of motorcycle accidents drop from past years. Nevertheless, the danger will be ever-present as bikers fill the streets of Daytona Beach. If any accidents do occur, we urge the injured parties to contact our personal injury law offices, so that we may help any victims gain their rightful compensation.
Past Accidents during Bike Week
For all the fun and excitement that Bike Week brings, it has also historically resulted in a number of accidents and injuries. In 2006, 20 motorcycle-related deaths were reported over the 10-day event in Daytona. Although the number of fatalities has since declined, it spiked again in 2012 with eight deaths, followed by a total of six deaths over the past two years.
Given the number of motorcyclists in town and their effect on regular traffic patterns, it stands to reason that drivers are more likely to get in accidents. No matter how much planning and intervention is implemented by local law enforcement and traffic officers, there is a palpable risk that should give all drivers a good reason to be vigilant over the following weeks.
Reasons for Motorcycle Accidents
During Bike Week, drivers should take special heed of the rules of the road, as the smallest failure to obey traffic rules may prove deadly. Common reasons for accidents include:
- Speeding down a city street
- Failure to observe road signs or traffic signals
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Poor visibility of motorcyclists
- Failure to check all mirrors and blind spots before switching lanes
- Failure to check both directions before turning
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Risky/reckless driving behaviors
Even when drivers are clearly at fault for an accident, they may claim otherwise or remember the events differently. It is therefore all the more important that victims record as much information as possible after the accident, contact local authorities, and get in touch with a personal injury lawyer. In the event someone is killed or severely injured in an accident, an experienced lawyer will be able to collect all the necessary information in their stead to begin mounting a strong case against the negligent driver.
How to Be Compensated for Your Accident
Accidents can have devastating consequences for motorcyclists, resulting in life-altering injuries or death. In addition to immediate ambulatory and hospital bills, victims may very well have to pay for ongoing medical care, medication, physical therapy, or other services necessary for one’s healing and rehabilitation. In the event a person can no longer work for a given or indefinite time period, he or she will have to compensate for lost wages. In cases of death, family members will be charged with burial fees and a possible lack of income in the foreseeable future.
A motorcycle accident can result in enough tragedy – victims and their families should not have to face additional financial hardships. Daytona residents and visitors alike should know that our law firm will work tirelessly to gain full compensation for their injuries and property damage. For accidents in which the consequences cannot accurately be compensated through normal damages, you may also be entitled to pain and suffering damages. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you or a loved one have recently been in an accident; your financial well-being is our business.
Learn More
Find out how we can help you get your life back on track after an accident. Call or email our offices to inquire further about our legal services or to speak with us about a possible case.