A motorcycle is an exciting, enjoyable way to travel around Florida and take advantage of the wonderful weather that we have. However, Florida is, unfortunately, the most dangerous state in the country for motorcycles, meaning that any time you decide to hit the road on yours, you need to be aware of the risks that you are facing. Defensive driving is an important way to improve your safety while riding a motorcycle, and wearing proper protective clothing and gear such as a helmet, jacket, pants, gloves, and boots can all help to reduce your risk of serious injuries in the event of an accident. Regardless, no amount of preparation and safety measures can guarantee that you will avoid a collision.
The important thing to know after you have been involved in a motorcycle accident is that there are a variety of legal options available to you in order to get the compensation that you deserve. If someone else caused the accident you were in, then their insurance company is responsible for all of the costs associated with the accident and injuries that you must endure. With the help of a motorcycle accident and personal injury lawyer, you can take on the insurance company and fight for the money that you need in order to move past this experience. 1-800-Injured has a robust referral network of trustworthy lawyers who are ready to take your case.
Read more below to learn about some common injuries after motorcycle accidents, as well as some frequently asked questions about these types of personal injury cases in West Palm Beach. Contact us now to be connected with a car accident attorney as soon as possible, and start fighting for what you deserve.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
A motorcycle has additional risks present when riding one, as opposed to a car, simply because there is no protective frame around the rider. This means that in any instance that the rider loses their balance or collides with another object, they will be thrown from the vehicle. In some cases, they may land on their feet and walk away unharmed, but more likely they will be thrown to the ground, or into other objects, and sustain injuries.
Although section 316. 211 of the Florida Statutes allows for the operation of a motorcycle without the use of a helmet for anyone over the age of 21, it is always a good idea to wear a helmet and other protective gear in order to reduce the risk of serious injury or death in the event of a crash. A rider can suffer a traumatic brain injury at extremely low speeds, and what could have been a minor collision could alter their lives forever.
Take a look at a few common injuries in a motorcycle accident:
Road Rash
“Road rash” is the term used for serious abrasions that happen when the body hits the pavement and is dragged for any distance. Depending on the speed that the rider hits the ground, whether or not they have protective gear like gloves, boots, pants, and a motorcycle jacket, these injuries can be devastating.
In serious cases of road rash, a victim may require skin grafting or other aggressive surgery in order to recover, and this type of injury often leaves significant scarring.
Fractures
Any time someone is thrown to the ground, whether or not they are on a motorcycle, there is an increased risk of a fractured bone. In the case of a motorcycle crash, even a collision at low speeds will likely send the rider off of their vehicle and onto the ground, and landing at a strange angle or instinctually extending their arms to soften the impact can lead to injury.
Some fractures can be minor and may require a compression wrap or simple cast to keep the bone immobilized as it heals. In other cases, a victim may suffer a serious breakage and even a compound—or open—fracture, where the bone pierces the skin and increases the risk of both infection and improper healing.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
These injuries can range from minor concussions to permanent brain death depending on the severity of the impact, the damage to the brain and surrounding areas, and more. Even a minor concussion requires medical attention so that the doctor can ensure that there are no additional complications present and that all of the proper steps are taken to facilitate a complete recovery.
In more serious instances, a traumatic brain injury can result in permanent brain damage, comas, changes in mood or activity levels, personality changes, and more. Regardless of how minor or severe, you believe your brain injury to be, it is absolutely essential that you seek medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents and Claims
How much is my accident claim worth?
There are a variety of factors that go into determining the damages that a victim deserves after an accident or other type of personal injury case, which is why it is so important that they partner with an experienced and proven attorney in West Palm Beach. When you are dealing directly with an insurance company, they will take every possible step to reduce the amount of money they will give you for your accident, leveraging the fact that without a personal injury attorney helping you, it is very difficult to reach a final calculation of how much you actually deserve.
Who was at fault for my accident?
Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, it may not be completely clear that someone was 100% responsible for the accident, and the other person 100% the victim. This is known as “comparative fault,” meaning that the courts will work to assign a percentage of blame on each party involved. If you are the victim of the accident but were assigned 10% of the comparative fault, then your final settlement will ultimately be reduced by 10%. This means that if you were awarded $100,000 by the courts, you would receive a final payout of $90,000.
How long will my claim take?
Your claim may be settled before you are required to go to trial, but at the same time, it could go on for an extended period of time. The length of time that it takes for you to get the money that you deserve depends on a lot of different things, starting with whether or not the insurance company agrees on the amount to pay out for you.
If you have suffered from extensive injuries and a lot of different non-economic damages, it is more likely that your claim will take longer. Your attorney will manage negotiations in an attempt to settle your claim before a lawsuit, but if they are unable to reach an agreement that adequately compensates you, your only option may be to go to trial. Although there is a statute of limitations in Florida for filing a personal injury lawsuit, there is no time limit for how long a trial can go on for once initiated.