Motorcycle and car accidents have many differences in the State of Florida. The main differences tend to include the higher risks of riding a motorcycle, the lack of protection, the causes of accidents, and the severity of the injuries.
Motorcycles only have two wheels, no airbags, no seatbelts, and they are much smaller compared to other motor vehicles. The other major risks of riding a motorcycle include limited visibility to other drivers and road hazards such as rocks, debris, and mud. If you or someone you know were involved in a motorcycle accident, then you should seek the assistance of a motorcycle accident lawyer now.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of collective experience when it comes to managing car and motorcycle accidents throughout the State of Florida. Our law firm understands what makes motorcycle accidents different from car accidents, and we will explain your legal rights.
A motorcycle accident lawyer will talk you through the process of filing a personal injury claim and help you to understand the best move to make next. We understand the severity of motorcycle accident injuries, and we want to be the ones to recover the compensation that you deserve.
Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week so that you can speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer at any time of the day. Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today.
The Seriousness of Motorcycle Accidents
All kinds of motorcycle accidents usually result in injury, and they are more difficult to manage compared to car accidents. The most important distinctions include:
- Motorcyclists usually sustain more severe injuries as a result of their vulnerable nature.
- Motorcyclists might require long-term financial support to pay for medical care following a spinal cord injury or a brain injury.
- Motorcyclists might face more challenges in court from jurors who view bikers as reckless or risky.
- Motorcycle accident victims might require additional compensation for long-term medical expenses and lost wages.
- There are many motorcycle accidents that might lead to the wrongful death of the rider or their passengers.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
There are plenty of studies and statistics in regard to motorcycle and car accidents that have shown:
- Motorcycle accident-related deaths are close to 30 times higher than deaths in car accidents.
- Motorcyclists who are over the age of 40 are nearly 20 times more likely to be injured in an accident than people who drive cars that are the same age.
- Motorcycle riders who are under the age of 40 are close to 36 times more likely to suffer a severe injury in an accident compared to people who drive cars that are the same age.
- Motorcycles represent only 2 percent of registered motor vehicles but up to 5 percent of all highway fatalities.
Car Accident Statistics
The statistics and studies in relation to car accidents show that there are still high amounts of injuries and deaths:
- The U.S. Department of Transportation states that the average driver will get involved in a motor vehicle accident every 6 years and that most drivers will experience a close call crash once or twice a month.
- There were close to 39,189 motor vehicle accident fatalities throughout the nation in the year 2005. The number includes 27,472 drivers and 10,036 passengers that suffered injuries.
- The National Safety Council stated that there are up to 12 million motor vehicle accidents that happen every year, which includes close to 20 million vehicles.
- Statistics explain that there are almost 2 million disabling injuries that happen from motor vehicle accidents every year.
- Studies explain that there are close to 75 percent of car accident injuries that still display symptoms for as long as 6 months after the accident.
- The National Highway Traffic Administration stated that almost 28 percent of people in motor vehicle accidents suffer either minor or moderate injuries and around 6 percent of them suffer a severe or fatal injury.
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Motorcycle Accident Safety Tips
Car and motorcycle accidents happen every day. However, there are certain measures that you can take to help avoid an accident or reduce the injuries and fatalities that are caused by motorcycle accidents and car accidents. Motorcycles are much smaller in size compared to other motor vehicles on the road. In many cases, other road users, like car drivers, do not notice a motorcycle until it is too late to avoid a crash. It is essential that motorcycle riders wear bright colors and a helmet for protection. In addition, a motorcyclist should avoid riding their bike at night.
The Law Place has many tips for staying safe as a motorcyclist, such as:
- Wear a helmet – It is important for all motorcyclists to wear a helmet that fits right. A helmet might not prevent an injury, but it will protect your head.
- Get the right gear – Leather and other armored motorcycle gear can protect you from sliding across the road and hitting rocks. Motorcycle boots are also good to protect your feet in the event that an accident happens. Bright colors and reflective gear will help to increase your visibility to other road users.
- Riding within your skill range – It is imperative that you drive within your skill range and do not try to move at high speeds or weave in and out of traffic before you are ready.
- Leave enough space – Motorcyclists might require less space to stop and maneuver, but they still need more room than you are probably led to believe. You should practice stops on your bike in a safe place so that you have an idea of how much space to give yourself in traffic.
- Avoid distraction – Distracted riding by using a mobile phone, eating, drinking, or adjusting a navigational system has led to many accidents.
- Look twice – It is worth riding defensively and moving safely around cars. Do not assume that another driver can see you.
- Watch the weather – A motorcycle is not as stable as other motor vehicles like a car. Rain or snow means that riding a motorcycle is much riskier, especially without windshield wipers.
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What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Causes of car accidents and motorcycle accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. However, motorcycles are much more likely to get involved in an accident due to their reduced visibility to other drivers. The most common causes of motorcycle crashes are usually moving away from the line of travel or disobeying the right of way laws in the State of Florida. A head-on collision is one of the most common fatal accidents, and a motorcycle rider can sustain serious injuries or even face death.
The other most common causes of motorcycle crashes include:
- A motor vehicle traveling into the path of a motorcycle.
- A motorcycle moving away from the line of travel.
- A motorcycle traveling across road hazards, like a pothole or gravel.
- A distracted driver failing to notice a motorcycle.
- A drunk driver failing to notice a motorcycle.
- A motorcycle rider traveling recklessly.
- A motorcycle rider traveling under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Common Injuries Following a Motorcycle Accident
A motorcycle is a dangerous type of vehicle. Even a minor crash can result in life-changing consequences. Motorcycle riders are much more exposed on the road, and they are vulnerable to bigger motor vehicles like cars and trucks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) stated that motorcyclist fatalities were 27 times more likely to happen than car driver fatalities. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) also stated that wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle will reduce your risk of death by up to 37%. The most common motorcycle accident injuries tend to include:
- Whiplash.
- Cuts, lacerations, and abrasions.
- Head and back injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Broken or fractured bones.
- Internal injuries.
- Disability.
- Concussions.
- Paralysis.
- Amputations of limbs.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Death.
If you or someone you know were involved in a motorcycle accident, then you should seek legal counsel with a reputable law firm in the State of Florida. It is imperative that you have legal representation to help you recover the compensation that you deserve, regardless of the type of injury that you have suffered. Our team of motorcycle accident attorneys will determine the value of your potential personal injury claim. Call our office to set up a free consultation now.
What Damages Are Available to Claim After Motorcycle Accidents?
It is important for all motorcycle riders to know the type of damages that they could be entitled to receive following a collision. In fact, motorcycle accidents can be one of the most dangerous types of accidents as a result of the lack of protection, which means that they could receive hundreds and thousands of dollars worth of compensation in the State of Florida. However, the outcome will depend on the facts and circumstances surrounding your individual case. At The Law Place, we are here to help you receive the compensation that you deserve. We will help you to recover:
- Medical bills – The amount of past, present, and future medical bills, including surgery, hospitalization, visits to the doctor, medical equipment, physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription medication, and more.
- Lost wages – The amount of lost wages, a reduced earning capacity, and future lost earnings as a result of being unable to work since you have suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle crash.
- Property damage – The amount of property damage includes the costs to repair or replace your motorcycle, helmet, clothes, mobile phone, and more.
- Pain and suffering – The mental, emotional, and psychological effects that a motorcycle accident has had on your personal and professional life, including physical pain, mental trauma, emotional anguish, fear, depression, and more.
- Wrongful death – If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, then you could be entitled to receive compensation for funeral bills, medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. Florida Statute 768.21 explains the law of wrongful death.
Contact The Law Place Today
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in the State of Florida, then you will need to understand your legal rights. A motorcycle accident can result in numerous damages and losses that will take years or even decades for you to pay, which is why you will need the assistance of a motorcycle accident lawyer.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience and knowledge in fighting for the legal rights of motorcycle riders all over the State of Florida. Our law firm has an in-depth knowledge of motorcycle law, and we will guide you through the legal system.
Our team of motorcycle accident lawyers will be at your side every step of the way. If you have questions or concerns in regard to your case, then you should speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer now. The phone lines to our office are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today.
