Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in Florida Down Since 2009

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on April 18, 2011

Florida’s streets and highways have been somewhat safer for motorcyclists over the last couple of years. Recent statistics indicate that for the first nine months of 2010, there were seven fewer motorcycle fatalities than the same time in 2009 and 80 fewer fatalities across the country during that time. Bikers say that part of the drop in fatal accidents is due to increased awareness of distracted drivers. Bikers say they see more drivers talking and texting on cell phones while behind the wheel these days, but they are getting better at giving them a wide berth. Orlando personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham is pleased to hear that motorcycle accident fatalities are down, but cautions that there is plenty of room for improvement in preventing motorcycle accidents and resulting injuries and deaths.

He also cautions drivers to put down their cell phones and focus on the safe operation of their vehicles. One biker enthusiastically supported Mr. Cunningham’s recommendations, saying that drivers, not bikers, make streets and highways more dangerous for everyone.

“They don’t look for you,” he said, “and as a biker, you develop a sixth sense, you anticipate people’s actions. You are hyper-aware. The groups we ride with are more safety focused. We use hand and foot signals. Plus in groups, bikers are easier to see.”

The Governors Highway Safety Association funded a report looking at motorcycle accident trends over the last couple of years and found that, overall, motorcycle accident deaths dropped two percent. During the first nine months of 2009, 3,359 motorcyclists were killed in accidents, but 3,279 bikers were killed over the same period of 2010. Here in Florida, 293 motorcyclists died during the first nine months of 2009 compared with 286 in 2010. However, Florida’s roadways still remain quite dangerous for riders. Only Texas has more rider deaths than Florida does, with 311 motorcycle fatalities during the first nine months of 2010.

Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham has been an advocate for rider safety since 1977 when he began helping injured riders. He has pushed for tougher distracted driving laws in Florida for many years, but, thus far, state lawmakers have failed to pass legislation discouraging drivers from talking and texting on their phones while driving. If you’re a rider who has been injured by a negligent driver and you need an experienced, aggressive Orlando motorcycle accident lawyer by your side, call Mr. Cunningham today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.