A motorcycle can be very dangerous to ride, especially if the rider does not have adequate training and experience. A motorcyclist who decides to ride their bike in a careless manner puts themselves and everyone else around them at risk of getting injured in an accident.
The State of Florida is home to the second-highest amount of registered motorcycles in the whole of America, but it also has the greatest total of bike-related deaths. If you were injured in an accident caused by a negligent motorcyclist, then you could be entitled to compensation in Port Charlotte.
The Law Place has collected over seventy-five years of experience and knowledge in tackling motorcycle negligence claims for clients in Port Charlotte and across the State of Florida. Our law firm is aware of the damage that motorcycle accidents can cause, and we want to be the ones to help you get through.
Our team of Port Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyers will talk you through the process of filing a personal injury claim and explain how we can be of service to you. We have won hundreds of claims for clients who have been involved in either a car accident, a motorcycle accident, a truck accident, or another type of road accident. If you put your trust in us, we will be sure to win your case too.
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today, and a personal injury lawyer will fight for the compensation that you deserve following a negligent motorcycle accident in Port Charlotte.
Statistics of Motorcycle Accidents in Port Charlotte, FL.
Motorcycle accidents are highly common throughout the State of Florida. From a 2016 report, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that there were:
- There were 10,331 motorcycle accidents in the State of Florida.
- 600 of the motorcycle accidents were fatal.
- 8,256 drivers were injured in motorcycle accidents.
- 191 of the accidents involved single motor vehicle collisions.
- 409 of the fatal accidents involved another motor vehicle.
- 9% of the fatal accidents involved two vehicles in head-on collisions.
- 7% of multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents were rear-end collisions.
- 31 of the accident involved side-impact crashes.
Common Causes of Negligent Motorcycle Accidents in Port Charlotte, FL.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV) reported that there were up to 8,880 motorcycle accidents in the year 2019, which caused 7,722 injuries and 535 deaths. Many of the accidents could be attributed to the negligent behavior of a driver, while other accidents could have been caused by the motorcycle rider themselves.
The most common causes of negligent motorcycle accidents include:
- The motorcyclist was not licensed – It is possible that the negligent motorcyclist was not properly licensed. Every motorcyclist is required to pass an exam before they are allowed to add a motorcycle endorsement to their license.
- The motorcyclist was carrying loose cargo – Florida Statute 316.2085 declares that a motorcyclist is prohibited from riding while carrying a “package, bundle, or another article which prevents the person from keeping both hands on the handlebars.” Furthermore, Florida Statutes 316.2085 outlines that a motorcyclist is not allowed to carry any person or ride with a person “in a position that will interfere with the operation or control of the motorcycle.”
- The motorcyclist made an improper lane change – Florida Statute 316.209 declares that motorcyclists “shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.” It is not always easy to see a motorcycle on the road as they are much smaller than any other motor vehicle.
- The motorcyclist traveled in between lanes – Florida Statute 316.209 also states that a motorcyclist is prohibited from operating their motor vehicle “between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.” This is also known as lane splitting, which is very dangerous and illegal in the State of Florida.
- The motorcyclist was reckless – Florida Statutes 316.192 declares that reckless driving is a crime. The main forms of reckless driving include drunk driving, speeding, texting, and driving, engaging in drag racing, aggressive driving, weaving in and out of lanes, and much more.
Motorcycle Rules in Port Charlotte, FL.
Every road user must abide by the rules set out in the Florida Drivers Handbook. However, there are additional rules that motorcyclists are required to follow due to them having a higher risk of sustaining an injury.
- A motorcyclist under the age of 21 must wear a helmet.
- A motorcyclist must have a motorcycle license or endorsement.
- A motorcyclist is required to wear eye protection that has been approved by the Florida Department of Transportation.
Unfortunately, some motorcyclists do not always follow the rules, and it often results in a severe accident. If you were hurt in a negligent motorcycle accident, then you should hire a motorcycle accident attorney from The Law Place today. A motorcycle accident attorney will be able to investigate to prove whether the motorcyclist breached any one of the laws and recover the compensation that you deserve. Call our office to schedule a free consultation now.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
What You Should Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Port Charlotte, FL.
Following a Port Charlotte motorcycle accident, you should take the following steps to protect your legal rights and ensure that you are in the best position to pursue a personal injury claim later.
- Safety – It is imperative that you put your safety first after getting involved in a motorcycle accident. If you are in the middle of danger, you should move away from oncoming traffic and wait in a safe place near the location of the motorcycle accident.
- Injuries – If you or anyone else sustained an injury, you should call an ambulance to the scene of the motorcycle accident as soon as possible.
- Police – The law states that you have to call the police to the location of the motorcycle crash in order for them to file a report of the accident.
- Exchange information – You, the motorcycle rider, and any other driver involved in the motorcycle accident will have to exchange contact information, including names, phone numbers, insurance information, and vehicle registration numbers.
- Evidence – If you are in the right state of mind, you should collect as much evidence as you can from the location of the motorcycle accident. Evidence includes taking pictures of the motor vehicles, injuries, road conditions, and anything else that is relevant.
- Eyewitnesses – If there was anyone present at the time that the accident occurred, you should collect their contact information as they could be willing to make a statement to help you pursue compensation later.
- Medical attention – Even if you think that you did not suffer an injury, you should still get a check-up at the hospital. It is possible for some injuries to not show any signs until much later. Furthermore, you will need a medical report from a doctor to help you pursue compensation and prove that your injuries were caused by the motorcycle accident.
- Hire a port charlotte motorcycle accident lawyer – Now is the perfect time to call The Law Place. The motorcycle accident lawyers will advise you on the best course of action to take following your crash. Call us now to set up a free consultation.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents in Port Charlotte, FL.
A Port Charlotte motorcycle accident can result in all kinds of injuries to the rider and to anyone else that they crashed into. The most common injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents include:
- Road rash – Burns, abrasions, and contusions.
- Bone fractures – Foot, ankle, leg, rib, shoulder, wrist, arm, and skull fractures.
- Soft tissue injuries – Strains and tears of muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
- Spinal cord injuries – Swelling or tears of tissue can cause temporary or permanent paralysis.
- Internal injuries – The impact of an accident can cause bruising and bleeding of internal tissues and organs.
- Amputations – Arms, hands, fingers, legs, and feet can get crushed in an accident which can possibly lead to an amputation.
- Traumatic brain injuries – An impact to the head can damage the brain and cause injuries like a concussion, brain bleed, or lead to coma.
If you suffered any one of these injuries or another type of injury that was not listed, then you could be entitled to receive compensation in Port Charlotte. You will need to seek legal counsel from a motorcycle accident lawyer from The Law Place, and they will be able to advise you on the smartest move to make following your Port Charlotte motorcycle accident.
Compensation for a Motorcycle Accident in Port Charlotte, FL.
There is a variety of different forms of compensation that you could be awarded in any type of personal injury case in Port Charlotte. The motorcycle accident lawyers at The Law Place will investigate your case to determine the type of compensation that you could be eligible to receive. The most common forms of compensation include:
- Medical expenses – You could be owed compensation for past, present, and future medical expenses, including physical therapy, rehabilitation, surgery, hospitalization, prescription medication, and more.
- Lost wages – You could be owed compensation for a loss of wages, a reduced future earning capacity, or changes to your usual income since you have been unable to work following a motorcycle injury.
- Property damage – You could be owed compensation for the costs to repair or replace your motor vehicle or any other property that was broken in a motorcycle accident.
- Pain and suffering – You could be owed compensation for physical pain, mental anguish, emotional trauma, and any changes that you have had to make to your life following a motorcycle accident.
- Wrongful death – You could be owed compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one in a motorcycle accident.
Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accidents in Port Charlotte, FL.
The statute of limitations declares that you must file a personal injury claim within the time period of four years following a Port Charlotte motorcycle accident. If the motorcycle accident resulted in the death of a loved one, then you will only have two years to recover compensation by filing a wrongful death claim. However, if you fail to seek compensation within the stated time period, then your case will likely be dismissed by the court.
Call The Law Place to speak to one of our Port Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyers today. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Identifying the Cause of a Negligent Motorcycle Rider Accident in Port Charlotte, FL.
The Port Charlotte motorcycle accident attorneys from The Law Place will investigate your case to prove the cause of the crash. Our law firm will present evidence to show that the negligent motorcycle rider caused the accident and that they should be held financially responsible for the losses that you suffered.
A motorcycle accident lawyer will present various forms of evidence such as:
- The report by the police from the scene of the accident.
- Testimonies from eyewitnesses.
- Medical statements from your doctor.
- The driving record of the negligent motorcyclist.
- Bills, invoices, receipts, and other paperwork in regard to the costs of your damages.
- Video footage from traffic cameras.
- Photographs of the scene of the accident and the injuries that you sustained.
A motorcycle accident lawyer from The Law Place will investigate the cause of your accident and gather all of the relevant evidence to ensure that all of your losses are covered. You do not have to handle the pressure of a negligent motorcycle accident on your own. The Port Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyers from The Law Place will be there to help you every step of the way. Book a free consultation now. The phone lines to our office are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Contact The Law Place Today in Port Charlotte, FL.
If you were injured by a negligent motorcycle rider in Port Charlotte, you could be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, property damage, and more. If you are looking for the most reputable law firm in town, then you have come to the right place.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of combined experience when it comes to pursuing compensation for people who have been injured in motorcycle accidents in Port Charlotte and throughout the State of Florida. Our law firm is skilled at handling complex cases ranging from car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and more.
A motorcycle accident lawyer from our law firm will start your personal injury claim by investigating the extent of the damage that was caused and calculating the amount of losses that you suffered. Our team of Port Charlotte motorcycle accident attorneys will aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation that you deserve by negotiating with the insurance company involved. If we are unable to settle on a reasonable amount with the insurance company, then we will be ready to take your case to court.
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today, and a personal injury lawyer will fight for the compensation that you deserve following a negligent motorcycle accident in Port Charlotte.