WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AFTER A MOTORCYCLE CRASH?

MIAMI MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS SEEKING FAIR INJURY COMPENSATION FOR BIKERS AND FAMILIES

The state of Florida has the distinction of being home to I-95, the deadliest stretch of highway in America. Florida is also the state with the highest number of motorcycle fatalities in the nation. Although motorcycle accidents are not more common than other vehicle crashes, they do have the potential to be much deadlier. This is due to the fact that motorcycles are much lighter and smaller than regular vehicles. Additionally, they are simply not large enough to have many safety features to protect riders from injury in the event of a collision.

For over 40 years, the experienced Florida motorcycle accident lawyers at Colson Hicks Eidson have been helping victims of motorcycle crashes nationwide. If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle accident, put our experience to work for you. Our firm has a long history of success. In fact, we have helped our clients recover a total of over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements in our legal career.

FLORIDA AND MOTORCYCLE SAFETY: A CAUTIOUS WARNING

Motorcycles are incredibly popular in the state of Florida, particularly in and around the Miami area. When we examine data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, we can see that there were nearly 9,000 total motorcycle crashes during the latest reporting year across the state. Out of these incidents, there were 550 motorcycle fatalities and more than 7,600 total motorcycle injuries.

Because motorcyclists have such little protection from the force of a vehicle slamming into them, it is not uncommon for them to sustain severe injuries when a collision occurs. At Colson Hicks Eidson, our motorcycle accident lawyers regularly help clients who have sustained the following:

  • Broken and dislocated bones
  • Spinal cord trauma with paralysis
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Open head wounds
  • Internal organ damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Crush injuries and amputations
  • Severe road rash
  • Significant scarring and disfigurement

 

Additionally, it is not uncommon for motorcycle accident victims to suffer from unseen emotional and psychological trauma following the incident. This can include feelings of fear, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

TYPES OF COMPENSATION AVAILABLE FOR A FLORIDA MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT

Motorcycle accident victims in Miami and throughout the state of Florida may be entitled to various types of compensation for their losses. In general, the motorcycle accident lawyers at Colson Hicks Eidson work diligently to recover both economic and non-economic damages on behalf of clients. This can include the following:

  • All medical bills related to the motorcycle crash
  • The cost of physical therapy and rehabilitation, if needed
  • Coverage of any prescription medications or medical devices
  • Lost wages if a victim cannot work while they recover
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Loss of quality of life damages

 

The total amount of compensation available to motorcycle accident victims in Florida will vary depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding each particular incident. The attorneys at Colson Hicks Eidson will work with trusted medical and economic experts to help properly calculate each injury victim’s total expected losses.

COMMON TYPES OF MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

The most common types of motorcycle-car accidents include:

  • Left-Turn Accidents. This is the most common kind of motorcycle accident. It occurs when a vehicle turns left, across a lane of oncoming traffic, and either collides with or is impacted by a motorcycle. Left-turning drivers should check to be sure that there are no vehicles approaching before cutting across a lane. However, motorcycles are much smaller than other cars. As a result, turning drivers may overlook motorcyclists if they are not cautious.
  • Head-On Collisions. These kinds of accidents are often fatal for motorcyclists. The most commonly occur on roads like Krome Avenue or expressways without medians to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. Driver distraction is just one reason that might cause a vehicle to drift across the double yellow line and into oncoming traffic, causing a head-on motorcycle collision.
  • Lane Splitting Accidents. Lane splitting is the practice of riding your motorcycle between cars in adjacent lanes during traffic jams or at stoplights. In Florida, it is illegal for motorcyclists to share a lane with a car. This is the case even when traffic is at a stand-still. Motorcyclists run the risk of being side-swiped or even crushed between two cars if they attempt a lane-splitting maneuver. However, motorcyclists still have legal rights. Do not assume that the motorcyclist is solely at fault in “door zone accidents”. The driver of the car may have also contributed to the accident and be partially or fully responsible for the resulting motorcycle accident injury and damages.
  • Road Hazards. Potholes or debris in the road may not seem like much of a threat from your car. However, motorcyclists could lead to a serious crash. Motorcycles have only two wheels and are much lighter than a normal vehicle. Therefore, impacting an obstacle like a pothole or fallen tree limb could be enough to throw the rider off balance and cause a motorcycle wreck. Obstacles in the road may also be the result of poor roadway maintenance by the city or other agencies.
  • Drunk Driving Accidents. As with all drivers on the road, motorcyclists should not drive while intoxicated. Slower reaction times and impaired judgment could lead to a motorcycle accident and serious personal injuries.

 

Motorcycle accidents can be deadly. That is why it is important for motorcyclists to take safety precautions, such as wearing a helmet. Although Florida law does not require you to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle, if you wear a helmet while riding, you have a much better chance of avoiding serious injury in the event of a crash.

HOW QUICKLY DO YOU NEED TO FILE A FLORIDA MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CLAIM?

It is crucial for any motorcycle accident victim in Florida to file any insurance claims or lawsuits as soon as possible. First, we want any motorcycle accident victim to understand that insurance carriers have very strict reporting deadlines in these cases. Sometimes, these deadlines are within a day or two after a collision occurs. Failing to promptly report a motorcycle accident collision to the insurance carrier could result in delayed claims or even a denied claim.

In the event it becomes necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit against an alleged negligent driver in these cases, the Florida personal injury statute of limitations is four years from the day of the injury occurs. If a motorcycle crash victim fails to file a lawsuit within this timeframe, they will lose the ability to recover any compensation for their losses.

CALL OUR NATIONWIDE MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

Our motorcycle accident attorneys understand the difficulties faced by motorcycle accident victims and their families. A motorcycle crash can lead to thousands of dollars in medical bills, repair costs, and even the end of a lifelong love of riding. An experienced Florida motorcycle accident attorney from our nationally recognized law firm will work hard to find out exactly why the accident occurred and who is at fault. You can then get the compensation you deserve for your personal injuries or the wrongful death of a family member.

If you or someone you love was in a motorcycle crash, call our office in Florida. You can also contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a motorcycle personal injury lawyer.

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At Colson Hicks Eidson, we are committed to providing our clients with the best possible legal representation in litigation. With our experienced attorneys, in-depth knowledge of the law, and commitment to our clients’ success, we are the go-to firm for complex civil litigation matters. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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