What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycles are notoriously difficult to see on the road. Automobile drivers are accustomed to watching for other cars and trucks but may forget to look for smaller vehicles. As a result, hundreds of motorcyclists are injured every year.
Most motorcycle accidents are caused by negligent drivers engaging in conduct like:
- Improper lane changes: Drivers who perform improper lane changes may strike a motorcyclist if they fail to check their blind spot.
- Speeding: Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to react and avoid a potential motorcycle crash. Speeding can also be considered reckless driving depending on the severity of a collision.
- Left-turn accidents: Intersections can be very treacherous. Some motorists watch the traffic lights to turn and fail to look for any other vehicles or motorcycles that may have the right-of-way.
- Following too close: Motorists can fail to leave an adequate distance between a motorcycle and themselves. Misjudging the distance or aggressively following too close may result in a minor rear-end accident for larger vehicles. However, motorcyclists may suffer severe injuries or death.
- Drunk drivers: Impaired drivers under the influence of alcohol or other substances have severely impacted judgment. A drunk driver may drive on the wrong side of the road, leading to a head-on collision, or not see a stopped motorcycle and collide at full speed.
- Car doors: Parking lots and smaller roads with street parking can be hazardous to motorcyclists. Car and truck drivers may not see a motorcycle and open a door directly in their path. Motorcycle door crashes “tend to be severe,” according to a recent study funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
- Inexperienced drivers: New drivers on the road are more likely to make unsafe moves that can compromise the safety of motorcycle riders. In many cases, inexperienced drivers may forget to look for motorcycles or check their blind spots.
Some motorcycle accidents are caused by factors other than negligent drivers, such as:
- Defective motorcycle parts: A motorcycle will not be handled properly if a poorly designed or manufactured part breaks. Motorcyclists may lose control and crash.
- Dangerous road conditions: When a city or town fails to maintain roads, street signs, or traffic lights, it can lead to devastating motorcycle accidents.
Our motorcycle wreck lawyers will investigate the details of your case and hold all liable parties accountable.
What Kinds of Injury Cases Can a Motorcycle Crash Lawyer Handle?
Florida is known for its sunny weather and pleasant temperatures that contributes to the large number of motorcyclists in the state. Particularly in our own area, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties are among the top ten counties in the state for highest number of motorcycle fatalities.
Motorcycle accidents can cause traumatic and debilitation injuries. At the Osborne and Francis Law Firm PLLC, our motorcycle crash lawyers have successfully represented numerous victims. Some of the most frequent motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries, including brain damage
- Severe road burns and abrasions
- Loss of limbs and amputations
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord damage that may result in paralysis or paraplegia
- Internal organ damage or bleeding
- Broken, dislocated, or fractured bones
- Lacerations
In severe cases, motorcycle accident victims can suffer fatal injuries. If you have lost a loved one in a negligent accident, our compassionate legal team is here for you. Our wrongful death attorneys can help you hold negligent parties accountable for the damage they have caused you and your family.
Monetary compensation cannot ease the pain of your loss. However, having the negligent party answer for their responsibility in your loved one’s death may provide the closure your family needs to move on.
Do Florida Helmet Laws Affect Motorcycle Accidents?
There are a few laws motorcyclists need to be aware of in Florida. First, the law requires motorcyclists to successfully pass a Basic Rider Course offered by the Florida Rider Trainer Program before achieving motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license. Florida honors out-of-state endorsements from all states except Alabama.
Second, there are helmet restrictions in place:
- Motorcycle riders and passengers aged 21 and older are not required to wear a helmet provided they have at least $10,000 in injury liability insurance coverage.
- Riders under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet.
Third, all motorcycle riders are required to wear eye protection. Proper eyewear protection may be goggles, helmet visors, or specially designed motorcycle glasses.
It is important to note that your choice to wear a helmet or not will not take away your right to seek compensation in a negligent motorcycle accident. Consult an experienced motorcycle crash lawyer today to discuss the details of your unique circumstances.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents?
While motorcycle accidents have steadily decreased over the years, passenger fatalities have increased. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Annual Traffic Crash Facts, in the last reporting year, there were more than 8,000 motorcycle accidents, a 9.56% decrease from the year before:
- More than 500 motorcyclists suffered fatal injuries
- Motorcycle passenger deaths rose over 20%, claiming 35 lives
- Over 1,700 motorcyclists suffered incapacitating injuries
- Nearly 150 motorcycle passengers suffered incapacitating injuries
- Together, more than 5,000 riders and passengers suffered other injuries that required medical attention
Incapacitating or catastrophic injuries leave the victim unable to perform the same activities as they were before the motorcycle accident. Severe brain injuries and spinal cord damage can cause permanent cognitive and physical impairment. If you or a loved one have been left with catastrophic damage due to a motorcycle crash involving the negligence of another, call the Osborne and Francis Law Firm PLLC today.
Our experienced motorcycle wreck lawyers understand the impact of incapacitating injuries. Personal injury claims that involve life-changing damage often involve high financial stakes. You need highly skilled representation with the resources to fight for the compensation you need.
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