The motorcycle community’s annual pilgrimage to Daytona Beach once again resulted in tragedy, as six riders were killed in accidents over the course of Bike Week 2022.
The total is down from a year earlier, when eight people died in crashes during the annual event, according to the Dayton Beach News-Journal. Another 88 people were seriously injured in wrecks this year, down slightly from 91 the previous year.
The first two deaths of Bike Week this year came in Volusia County when a car drifted into oncoming traffic and struck three motorcycles. Two bikers died in the crash and the third was seriously injured, the News-Journal reports.
Another deadly accident happened when a motorcyclist struck a plastic drainage pipe and was thrown from his bike near New Smyrna Beach. Other crashes included a bike that collided with a sport utility vehicle in St. Johns County and a motorcycle collision with a pickup truck in Volusia County.
The tragedies are another unfortunate reminder of the risks that come with getting on a motorcycle, even for the most experienced riders.
More than 8,000 motorcycle crashes happen in Florida each year, causing more than 500 deaths. Crashes can be caused by a wide variety of factors, including many outside the control of the motorcycle rider involved in the collision.
Legal Rights for the Families of People Killed in Motorcycle Crashes
In the tragic event that a person dies in a motorcycle accident in Florida, his or her family members have the right to seek compensation from those responsible by suing for wrongful death. The compensation available in these cases includes money for the loss of the deceased person’s earnings and companionship, as well as for mental anguish and suffering, medical and funeral expenses.
State law limits wrongful death claims to the deceased person’s spouse, children, parents and certain other blood relatives, depending on the circumstances.
To get compensation, you have to be able to prove fault. Wrongful death claims are typically based on negligence, a legal theory that holds people and entities responsible when they do not live up to a certain “duty of care.”
Car and truck drivers, motorcyclists and others operating vehicles in Florida have a duty to do so in a reasonably safe manner. That means complying with traffic laws and refraining from dangerous behavior like driving while drunk, drowsy or using a cell phone, for example.
A motorist who does not live up to this responsibility is likely to be found negligent and legally responsible for any crashes that result.
Talk with a Villages Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash in Florida, the Villages motorcycle accident attorney Tim Babiarz can help.
We are pleased to represent clients in the Villages and throughout the area, including in Ocala, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Summerfield and beyond. Call (352) 205-7559 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Villages motorcycle accident attorney.
