Responsible motorcycle drivers know that there are inherent risks to this method of transportation, and the unfortunate reality is that even the most responsible and defensive motorcycle driver is still not immune to the actions of other drivers on the road. Florida is routinely found to be one of the most dangerous places in the United States in terms of fatal motorcycle accidents, meaning that motorcycle riders in our state must be extra vigilant out there on the roads.
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident, especially one that someone else caused due to negligence or recklessness, then one of the most important things for you to do after having your immediate medical issues addressed is to partner with an experienced and aggressive motorcycle accident attorney. Working directly with an insurance company without legal representation is a notoriously difficult and frustrating process, and will require you to fight for the money that you rightfully deserve as the insurance company continues to find reasons to limit your award.
Read more below to learn about motorcycle accident insurance claim processes, how an attorney can help you, and some of the most common questions that attorneys answer throughout this process. Contact 1-800-Injured as soon as possible to be connected with an attorney who is ready to take your case today. 1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service.
Why Is Florida So Dangerous For Motorcycles?
There is no clear answer to this question, but plenty of research points to Florida’s lax helmet laws as a significant factor in the alarming number of motorcycle fatalities in the state. In addition to the fact that fewer than half of all motorcycle drivers wear a helmet in Florida, the weather in Florida makes it a great destination for riders, which in itself can lead to a spike in accidents.
However, there are additional design issues on the Florida roads that may equally contribute to the alarming statistics, such as the multi-lane highways that criss-cross the state and put motorcycle riders at risk of lane-change accidents, massive intersections with multiple turn lanes that may result in motorcycles being hurt in left-turn accidents, and more.
The reality is that no matter why Florida is so dangerous, the fact remains that it is, which is why it is so important that everyone who rides in Florida knows their rights and how to get the legal support that they deserve after an accident.
Common Motorcycle Accident Causes
The following are some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents, both in Florida and beyond. However, whether or not you see your own accident represented below, you deserve to work with a lawyer who can help you make sense of your situation and work towards a fair and reasonable outcome for your situation.
Inexperienced Drivers
High on the list of causes of motorcycle accidents is inexperienced drivers, for a variety of reasons. Primarily, an inexperienced driver tends to stay excessively focused on the road in front of them, meaning that they actively block their peripheral vision and can easily lose a motorcycle in their blind spots. In addition, they may not understand how to give motorcycles proper space on the roads, or might not see a motorcycle as it approaches them before taking a left turn directly into the oncoming rider.
Blind Spots
Not only inexperienced drivers are at risk of losing motorcycles in their blind spots. Since a motorcycle takes up so much less visual space even without the additional issue of a blind spot, it is a common mistake for a driver to make a maneuver without realizing that there is a motorcycle in their path. The biggest problem here is that even at low speeds, what would normally be a fender bender between two cars is catastrophic for the motorcycle as the driver is thrown from the vehicle and then hits the ground.
Distracted Driving
Cellphones are a serious danger to everyone on the road, including motorcycles, pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers. When someone is distracted by their phone, their GPS, or anything else, they may not notice a motorcycle maneuver into their path before making a move, ultimately causing an accident. Rear-end collisions are often caused by distracted drivers at stop signs or red lights, and a rear-end accident with a motorcycle can cause significantly more damage than between two cars.
Left Turns at Intersections
Unless otherwise posted, oncoming traffic has the right of way to drivers taking left turns through an intersection. When a driver looks towards the oncoming traffic before making a turn, it can be easy to miss a motorcycle if they are not specifically looking for a smaller vehicle, if the sun is in their eyes, and a variety of other reasons that ultimately lead to a crash. When a vehicle makes a left turn into the path of an oncoming motorcycle, the rider can be thrown from the machine and injured from a variety of secondary impacts after the initial contact with the vehicle, all of which can cause serious and even fatal injuries.
Drunk Drivers
Drunk drivers are a threat to everyone on the road, and motorcycles are just as at risk as everyone else. When an inexperienced or distracted driver runs the risk of missing a motorcycle while they are scanning the road, it is even easier for a drunk driver to miss these smaller vehicles in their vicinity. As a result, they can make dangerous maneuvers that can cause accidents that are extremely dangerous and even fatal.
Common Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents
Every motorcycle accident is unique, meaning that the injuries a victim may sustain depend on a variety of highly-specific factors. However, the following are some of the most common injuries in Florida motorcycle accidents.
- Fractured bones
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Bruising
- Road rash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Death