BICYCLE ACCIDENTS

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 371 bicycle accidents in Sarasota and Manatee Counties in 2022 (flhsmv.gov).  This means that, on average, a bicycle accident happened almost every day where we live.  Unfortunately, recent data also shows that these figures will likely worsen in the near future.  In fact, U.S. News & World Reports ranked Florida the worst state in the nation for bicycle fatalities and third worst overall for bicycle safety (usnews.com).  Locally, as the population of Sarasota and Manatee counties continues to grow, bicyclists are forced to share the roads with more and more drivers of cars and trucks who are increasingly impatient, distracted, and drive with a mindset that bicyclists should not be on the road at all.  As a result, we can expect the number of bicycle accidents in Sarasota and Manatee counties to grow with the population.   

ROAD RASH: Simply put, road rash is an abrasion caused by friction.  During a motorcycle accident, road rash occurs when a motorcyclist skids across pavement, concrete, dirt or gravel.  Sometimes, even the most experienced motorcycle riders will "dump their bike" and take on a road rash injury in an effort to avoid a much more serious injury. 

BONE FRACTURES: Many motorcycle accidents involve a motorcyclists body making direct contact with an object at a high rate of speed.  As a result, broken bones are a very common injury following a motorcycle collision. high likelihood that a motorcyclist's body comes into direct contact with an object at a high rate of speed.  In some instances, bone fractures may require surgical correction along with internal or external fixation.  

NECK & BACK INJURIES: Many motorcycle accident victims suffer injuries to their neck, back, and/or spinal cord due to pressure being applied to vertebrae in their spine, which, in turn, results in pressure, impingement, or other damage to the spinal cord.  In addition to neck and back pain, these spinal cord injuries may result in muscle weakness in the arms and legs, delayed motor function, breathing difficulties, or paralysis.  

BRAIN INJURIES: Brain injuries, or Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are some of the most serious and debilitating injuries a motorcycle accident victim may suffer.  Like car accidents, most brain injuries related to motorcycle collisions are a form of acceleration/deceleration injuries.  However, unlike car accidents, the majority of motorcycle collision related acceleration/deceleration injuries are from the motorcyclist's head striking another object (i.e., the ground/road, another vehicle) at a high rate of speed.  While brain injuries are extremely serious, they are commonly, and mistakenly, overlooked by car accident victims and personal injury attorneys.

PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURIES: Following a motorcycle accident, some riders experience psychological trauma such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, or driving-related phobia.  Despite being invisible, these injuries are very real and usually require some form of psychotherapy for healing to occur.