Florida Motorcycle Accident Guide

Florida Motorcycle Accident Guide

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Melbourne Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Florida has long been a popular place to ride motorcycles given the seemingly endless miles of beautiful coastline and the year-round warm weather. The very things that attract motorcycle enthusiasts to Florida, however, also contribute to Florida leading the nation in motorcycle accident fatalities. If you were involved in a Melbourne motorcycle accident there is a good chance you suffered serious, even life-threatening, injuries.

What are some common motorcycle accident injuries As a Melbourne motorcycle accident victim or the loved one of someone who was fatally injured in one, you may be dealing with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and/or financial hardship. Trying to arrange for medical care, negotiate with insurance companies, and navigate an unfamiliar legal system at the same time can be exhausting. Fortunately, you do not have to handle all of that alone. We can help. The experienced Melbourne motorcycle accident lawyers at Layman Law Firm, P.L. have the expertise, resources, and commitment required to successfully advocate on behalf of injured victims to ensure that the accountable party (or parties) are held accountable and that victims are fully and fairly compensated for both their physical and emotional injuries.

Melbourne Car Accident Facts and Figures

As of 2019, there were almost 600,000 motorcycles registered in the State of Florida. Only California has more registered motorcycles than Florida. In addition, Daytona Bike Week and Biketoberfest are among the largest motorcycle events in the country, bringing over half a million additional bikers to the state each year. Both of these massive motorcycle events are centered in Volusia County which borders Brevard County to the north.

In Brevard County, there were 305 crashes involving a motorcycle in 2020, according to figures published by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV). As a result of those crashes, 267 people were injured and 27 people lost their lives. Sadly, those figures represent a 50 percent increase in motorcycle crash fatalities from the previous year.

Melbourne Motorcycle Accident Causes

Every car accident happens under a unique set of circumstances. As such, the cause (or causes) of a Melbourne car accident can be infinite and varied. Among the most common car accident causes are:

  • Wrong Turns. Wrong turns (usually when a motorist fails to recognize a motorcycle) are responsible for 42 percent of all motorcycle accident fatalities, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
  • Speed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tells us that speed is a factor in one out of every three collisions on the nation’s roadways each year.
  • Drinking and Driving. Alcohol plays a role in almost one in three (28 percent) of all fatal motorcycle accidents, according to the NHTSA.
  • Hazardous Road Conditions. While dangerous road conditions can contribute to any type of motor vehicle accident, motorcycles are particularly susceptible to conditions such as weather conditions including rain and ice as well as manmade conditions such as debris on the roadway and congested roadways.
  • Drowsy Driving. Nodding off behind the wheel of a passenger vehicle is dangerous enough. Driving drowsy on a motorcycle is considerably more dangerous. A drowsy driver can be the equivalent of a drunk driver, according to a study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, that found fatigued driving to play a role in one in five fatal crashes.

Steps to Take Following a Melbourne Motorcycle Accident

Should I provide statements to the insurance company after a motorcycle accident The steps you take both immediately after a motorcycle crash and in the days following the accident will likely impact your chances of receiving a full and fair settlement for the injuries you suffered. To make sure your right to recover from your injuries is protected, take the following steps following a Melbourne motorcycle accident:

  1. Have a thorough medical evaluation done immediately. The very thing that makes motorcycles so attractive to bikers, the feeling of the sun on your face and the air blowing through your hair as you ride, is what dramatically increases the chance of suffering a serious injury in a crash. Always get a thorough medical evaluation done immediately after a motorcycle crash to identify any hidden injuries as well as to determine the extent and severity of obvious injuries.
  2. Gather relevant evidence. Contact the police to make a police report if for no other reason it serves as a record of the crash and the parties involved. If you are capable of taking photos using your cellphone, take pictures of the accident scene before leaving as well. Keep documentary records of all expenses related to your accident as well, including medical and hospital bills, repair estimates for your motorcycle, and evidence of lost wages.
  3. Consult with an experienced attorney before talking to an insurance company. You will probably get a phone call within days after the crash from an insurance company for the party (or parties) responsible for the collision. They may even offer you what may sound like a significant amount of money to settle your claims against their insured. Do not make the mistake of speaking to insurance agents after a motorcycle accident without first consulting with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. Remember, the agent’s goal is to make your claim go away for as little money as possible. That means that your claim is almost certainly worth considerably more than they offer you which is why you need to be represented by an attorney before discussing the details of your claim with anyone.

Am I Entitled to Compensation for My Melbourne Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

As the injured victim of a Melbourne motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to damages for both your physical injuries and emotional trauma, including compensation for things such as:

  • Medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation and other care costs
  • Lost income
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Physical and emotional pain and suffering
  • Diminished qualify of life

What should I do if I am involved in a Florida motorcycle accident If you are a family member of someone who was fatally injured in a Melbourne motorcycle accident you may be entitled to file as a claimant in a wrongful death lawsuit. When a fatally injured victim was a spouse or parent of a claimant who can no longer provide the companionship, care, and support they provided prior to the accident, the claimant in a wrongful death lawsuit could be awarded monetary compensation,

How Does Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Law Impact My Melbourne Motorcycle Accident Case?

Florida is a no-fault insurance state which usually means that your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance will cover medical bills up to $10,000 no matter who was at fault in a motor vehicle accident. The Florida no-fault insurance laws, however, do not apply to motorcycles.

Contact the Experienced Melbourne Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Layman Law Firm, P.L.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, or you are the surviving family member of someone who was killed in a motorcycle crash, contact the experienced Melbourne motorcycle accident lawyers at Layman Law Firm, P.L. to discuss your legal options. We are committed to ensuring that motorcycle accident victims are fully and fairly compensated by the responsible party or parties. Contact the team today for your free initial consultation by calling 321-773-2111 or by filling out our convenient Intake Evaluation Form online.