Motorcycle Accidents: Head Injuries, Back Injuries, Road Rash
Florida’s year-round temperate climate and beautiful scenery make it a prime location for motorcycle enthusiasts. Florida has close to 600 thousand motorcycles registered in the Sunshine State, the second-highest number in the country.
(https://www.statista.com/statistics/191002/number-of-registered-motorcycles-in-the-us-by-state/)
Sadly, motorcycle operators often sustain debilitating injuries or fatalities. They are vulnerable to direct impacts with the pavement or another vehicle. Due to the size disparity between motorcycles and cars, many drivers fail to see motorcycles on the roadways. Additionally, motorcycles have less stability on two wheels. Poorly maintained roads are especially hazardous to motorcyclists, such as potholes, construction areas, and roadways with poor drainage.
Important Questions to Consider for your Motorcycle Accident Case:
- Where and when did the accident take place?
- Who were the parties involved in the accident (other vehicles, pedestrians, etc.)
- Were there any injuries sustained in the accident by any party?
- Were there witnesses to the accident?
- Do any of the parties injured have pre-existing medical conditions?
- Were any of the involved parties under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or prescription meds?
- Were the parties involved wearing protective equipment? (Helmets, riding boots, etc.)
- Were the parties involved driving recklessly (Texting and driving, eating while driving, etc.)
Common Injuries for Victims of Motorcycle Accidents
More than 80% of all reported motorcycle accidents result in injury or death to the motorcycle operator, with traumatic brain injury being the leading cause of death and severe injury.
(https://one.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/safebike/approach)
Other injuries include the spinal cord, lower-extremities, road rash, burns, internal injuries, lacerations, disfigurement, fractures, wrongful death, and more. Depending on the severity of the injuries, injuries from motorcycle accidents can take months or years to fully heal. Other victims of motorcycle accidents end up with permanent disability, or chronic pain that lasts a lifetime. This prompts many auto accident injury victims to pursue compensation for damages through a Florida personal injury accident case.
Settlement Factors in a Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawsuit
Motorcycle operators must observe the same rules of the road as other drivers, with additional regulations. (State Uniform Traffic Control, Florida Statute 316.211.) In Florida, new motorcycle operators must complete a Basic Rider Course through an authorized sponsor before having a motorcycle endorsement added to their license. (Florida Statute 322.12(5)(a). However, some drivers have a preconceived anti-motorcyclist bias, as they believe motorcycles are hazardous on the roadways. It can factor into an insurer’s or jury’s decision-making process for a fair settlement or verdict.
If you have sustained injuries in a motorcycle crash or a loved one has been killed in an accident, it is urgent to consult with a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. At Orlando Accident Attorney, we understand that every motorcycle accident is unique. Part of our role as legal counsel is to present the motorcycle operator as a reasonable, prudent, and lawful driver. It is often the negligence and carelessness of other drivers operating cars, trucks, and commercial vehicles that changes the lives of motorcyclists and their families forever.
The Outcome of a Motorcycle Accident Case is Determined by:
- The extent of injuries and property damages
- The likelihood of long-term disability
- The scope of medical treatment
- Loss of quality of life and earning capacity
Other Factors that can Impact a Settlement or Verdict Include:
- Comparative negligence, in which the plaintiff is at least partly at fault
- Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or unprescribed medications
- Refusing or delaying medical treatment
- Pre-existing injuries
- No safety equipment
- Admitting fault to law enforcement or the opposing driver
- Leaving the scene of the accident
- Failure to report the accident to law enforcement
Orlando Accident Attorney is an Aggressive Advocate for Motorcycle Accident Victims in Florida
Our legal team fights for full financial recovery by conducting a detailed, meticulous investigation to negotiate with insurers for a settlement or present at trial. Motorcycle operators are not required to carry Personal Injury Insurance (PIP) coverage in Florida. Therefore, it is crucial to file a legal action against the at-fault party immediately to obtain just compensation. Compensation for damages incurred in motorcycle accident may include medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
If you or a loved one was involved in a motorcycle crash due to a negligent driver, contact our personal injury attorneys in Florida. Call our office at (407) 706-3909. We offer a no-obligation consultation to discuss your options. Orlando Accident Attorney is a complex civil litigation law firm with years of trial and litigation successes. We are passionate about financial recovery for our clients so that they can rebuild their lives. Let us help you today.