Record Year for Injuries at 2021 Daytona Bike Week
Each year bicyclists from across the country head to Daytona Beach to celebrate Bike Week. This year, the 10-day event took place between March 5 and March 14. While motorcyclists are known to be at a greater risk for accident injuries and deaths, it was a record year for injuries at 2021 Daytona Bike Week.
Here, the motorcycle accident lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau go over the number of injuries that took place at this year’s bike week compared to those in the past. They also offer tips to motorcyclists in the Daytona Beach, FL, and Palm Coast, FL, area to reduce the risk of an accident, and/or minimize accident injuries should a crash occur.
Bike Week Injuries and Deaths
Each year Bike Week brings together thousands of motorcyclists and bike enthusiasts. With that many people in one place, the risk of accidents naturally increases. And since motorcyclists and their passengers are prone to injuries in bike accidents (due to a lack of protective safety features), catastrophic injuries and death are also highly likely during Bike Week. While motorcycle accident injuries do routinely occur during Bike Week, the number of accidents in 2021 set a record.
According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Halifax Health Medical Center reported nearly 100 patients admitted to their trauma center with injuries related to Bike Week. In addition to the 91 trauma cases that were treated, there were seven deaths related to this year’s 10-day event, averaging almost one death per day. In comparison to past years, these numbers are significantly higher, especially in regards to accident injuries.
Over the past five years, Halifax Health Medical Center has reported fewer than 70 annual trauma injuries as a result of Bike Week, until this year. In 2017 the hospital had 68 Bike Week injury admissions. In 2018 the number of injuries declined to 62, then 61 in 2019, and finally, 58 in 2020. Based on these numbers, Bike Week injuries almost doubled when one compares last year’s event and the 2021 gathering.
Bike Week Injuries and Helmet Use
Unlike other types of vehicles, motorcycles do not provide riders with a protective shell. They also do not have common safety features such as seatbelts or airbags. Because of their structure, motorcycle accident injuries tend to be catastrophic. However, the injury data collected by Halifax Health Medical Center does suggest that some motorcyclists are more prone to injury than others.
Most notably, a large portion of those treated for injuries during Bike Week were not wearing a helmet at the time of their accident. Of the 91 people who were brought in for injuries during Bike Week, only 39, or less than half, were reported to be wearing a helmet.
Motorcycle Safety Tips
Because motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to accident injuries, it is vital that they take safety precautions to reduce the risk of an accident and minimize the severity of injuries should an accident occur. We recommend these safety tips:
- Always wear a full-face helmet
- Wear appropriate protective gear, such as leather gloves, jacket, and boots
- Follow posted speed limits and traffic signs
- Drive defensively
- Make yourself as visible as possible
- Do not ride a motorcycle under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Contact Chanfrau & Chanfrau
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you are likely to suffer from steep financial losses. The motorcycle accident lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau in Daytona Beach can help you hold liable parties accountable for accident damages, so that you get the financial compensation you are due. To learn more, contact our law firm online, or call us at (386) 258-7313.
