Daytona Bike Week Motorcycle Accidents: Precautions and Legal Options
Daytona Bike Week (running March 1-10, 2024) is one of the premier events that makes where we live special. Unfortunately, the influx of bikers and tourists this event brings can also create risky situations and damaging accidents in Daytona Beach and surrounding communities.
In this blog post, I will explain some precautions you can take to keep yourself safe during the event. I’ll also discuss what your legal options are if you have suffered from a motorbike wreck.
Don’t Underestimate the Danger During Daytona Bike Week
The pattern of deadly Bike Week crashes has continued for years. My firm has developed the in-depth case knowledge necessary to help victims and their families in DeLand, New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange, Ormond Beach, and beyond.
Crashes from Daytona Bike Week 2022 and 2023
Here are some sobering facts about the last two Bike Weeks based on reporting from the Daytona Beach News Journal in March 2022 and in March 2023.
- Across Volusia and St. Johns counties during Bike Week 2022, six bikers were killed.
- Also in 2022, another 88 were seriously injured enough to be taken to Halifax Health Medical Center’s trauma center.
- In 2023, four bikers were killed in motorcycle crashes during the week.
Some of these incidents were single biker wrecks, while others involved other vehicles. If your crash was caused by another person’s negligence, you may have a lucrative lawsuit to pursue.
How to Stay Safe During Daytona Bike Week
A lot of people ask some variation of this question. Few can give a good answer. The truth is, motorcycles are inherently dangerous vehicles.
- If you are a biker, wear your helmet and drive at a safe speed.
- If you are a local, you may want to stay home as much as possible to avoid the event.
I cannot stress enough that Bike Week is wild. As far back as 1941, local leaders tried to institute measures that would stop motorcycle crashes. Over the many decades since, the amount of danger has ebbed and flowed while remaining everpresent.
Our Law Firm Can Help Injury Victims
If you were harmed by another driver during what was supposed to be a fun week on the beach, reach out to me. I can help you seek compensation for your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and more.
You May Have Less Time Than You Think to File a Lawsuit
Statute of limitations laws set deadlines for when a lawsuit must be filed by. Missing this deadline means you cannot get money for your suffering no matter how bad it is.
Here are the relevant deadlines in Florida:
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Cases
You have just two years from the day your loved one passed to file a wrongful death claim.
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases
You have only two years from the date of your motorcycle crash to file a personal injury case.
If you are a longtime resident of Orange City, Flagler Beach, or Holly Hill, this personal injury deadline may seem shorter than you remember. Last year, Governor DeSantis signed into law HB 837, which slashed the personal injury deadline in half.
Injured While Visiting from Out of State? Read This Important Lawsuit Information
If your bike accident happened in Florida, the Florida statute of limitations govern your case. This is important to know, especially if you happen to live in a nearby state like South Carolina, which has a longer deadline to file a personal injury case.
Reckless Bikers Raise Everyone’s Risk
Approximately 500,000 people flock into our community for Bike Week. This massive amount of visitors naturally leads to a higher amount of accidents. Unfortunately, specific biker behavior further elevates the risk of motorcycle collisions.
Bike Week Can Cause Reckless Behavior That Leads to Injuries
While many of the half-a-million motorcyclists do treat our area with respect, some treat their visit as a wild and reckless vacation.
For example, Daytona Beach, FL, deputies reported that last year, a biker gang intentionally caused havoc that included flipping off police and reckless driving that resulted in one of their gang members being struck by an oncoming truck after speeding away from law enforcement.
Our City Isn’t Designed for Such a Massive Event
While Bike Week can be a boon for local businesses, the truth is cities of Daytona Beach’s size are simply not designed to accommodate so many people. According to a Fox 35 Orlando report last year, Daytona Police decided to add more night lighting to keep people safe. This is an example of how the government has a responsibility to protect its citizens.
Local Governments Could Be Held Liable for Accidents
Many people do not know that they can actually sue their local municipality for their wreck if government negligence led to the crash.
If your wreck was caused by issues like a lack of guardrailing, potholes, or other road issues that should have been fixed by Daytona Beach authorities, we can look into suing our city for the money you deserve.
Maintaining Your Bike Can Save Your Life
If you are a biker who is coming down for the event, it can be a very smart move to have your motorcycle professionally evaluated by a mechanic. Some crashes are not caused by another driver or unsafe road conditions but by bike malfunctions.
If you have endured a shocking motorcycle accident during which your bike acted in a way that was surprising to you, you may want to look into pursuing a product liability lawsuit. This type of claim, made against a manufacturer for negligence in the marketing, manufacture, or design of an auto part can be handled by my Daytona Beach firm.
Here are some examples of motorcycle defects that may be relevant in your lawsuit:
- Misaligned Tires - Tire misalignment can lead to an uncontrollable shaking of a motorcycle in what is known as speed wobble.
- Faulty Brakes - Brakes can malfunction seemingly out of nowhere, leading to a crash when a motorcyclist is unable to stop their bike in time.
- Defective Fuel System - A defective fuel system can make a crash even more dangerous by causing a post-collision explosion.
Were You in an Accident?
Request My Help
I began my legal career by serving in the State Attorney's Office in 1997 before joining Chanfrau & Chanfrau in 2001. I have now spent well over two decades helping victims and their families after life-changing motorcycle crashes that occur during Bike Week.
I will not undersettle your claim. On the contrary, I am ready to take any case through trial if necessary. I am proud to say that my abilities in court led to me being named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers. Reach out now to request your free consultation.
About William Chanfrau, Jr.
William M. Chanfrau, Jr. began his legal career in 1997 working for the State Attorney's office. He joined his father's practice in 2001 and became a managing partner at the firm in 2007. Mr. Chanfrau is a member of the Florida Bar, the Southern Trial Lawyers Association, the Volusia Civil Trial Lawyers Association, and other legal organizations.
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