Motorcycles are everywhere, and drivers of cars and trucks should watch out for them. A motorcycle accident is potentially more dangerous than a typical car crash. Motorcycles aren’t outfitted with airbags, seat belts, steel cages, or other typical safety features found in cars and trucks.
Although some motorcyclists wear protective clothing every time he or she gets on the bike, it may do little to protect the rider if a head-on or high speed collision occurs. A motorcycle accident can have devastating and deadly consequences.
Physical injuries are frequent results of a motorcycle accident. In some cases, the motorcyclist may have just minor bruises and cuts. In others, the driver has broken bones, severed limbs, brain injury, or serious problems. The driver of the car or truck may have serious injuries as well. Not all motorcycle accidents are caused by the larger vehicle.
Motorcycle Injuries and Property Damage
Although the physical damage to the motorc
ycle is likely to severe after an car crash, personal injuries are a greater immediate concern.
Head trauma or brain injury happen in motorcycle accidents. Impact speed as well as the angle of impact can cause permanent impairment.
The motorcyclist and his or her passenger should wear motorcycle helmets according to standards established by the U.S. Department of Transportation. However, Florida law doesn't require the driver or passenger of the motorcycle over 21 years old to wear one if he or she carries a minimum of $10,000 in medical insurance benefits for injuries that result from a crash or accident while operating and/or riding a motorcycle.
Car or Drive Driver Injuries and Property Damage
Impact with a motorcycle traveling at high speeds can have a serious consequences to the car or truck driver. Because the car or truck has greater mass than the motorcycle, the angle of impact and rate of speed also determine how much resulting damage occurs.
Personal injury to the car or truck driver can be significant. Serious injury or death may occur.
Who’s At Fault in a Florida Motorcycle Accident
Deciding which driver is at fault in a car-motorcycle accident is a matter for the police. They must decide which driver was careless. Florida’s vehicle code specifically explains how drivers are supposed to operate vehicles and how driver liability is measured. Florida’s rules of the road apply to car, truck, motorcycle, and bicycle operators as well as pedestrians.
Sometimes, it is difficult for the police to determine which driver violated the law. For instance, if the crash occurred when both drivers attempted to merge in traffic, it may be challenging to discern the events or actions causing the crash. This kind of case is governed by Florida’s negligence laws. That is, the driver or motorcyclist found negligent, or behaving in a thoughtless or careless way, is at fault for the accident. After medical care of injuries, it is important to contact a personal injury lawyer.
Personal Injury and Negligence
An attorney first listens to what happened in the accident. He or she will ask for the police report, pictures taken at the scene, or handwritten witness reports or contact information.
In order to prove that the driver of the car or truck was negligent in a motorcycle accident, the personal injury attorney must establish that: 1) the driver was required by Florida law to operate the vehicle with reasonable care in the conditions that were present (that's always the case); 2) the driver did not operate his or her vehicle with reasonable care; and 3) the driver’s actions caused injury and/or damage to another person or persons.
An experienced personal injury law firm builds a solid case based on facts and Florida's vehicle code law. Injured victims should identify an attorney with a reputation for protecting injured peoples' rights. The chosen law firm should have a reputation for compelling insurance companies to pay fair compensation to injured people.
Motorcycle Accident Victims
A motorcycle accident is a traumatic event. Serious or permanent injuries can result. Lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering cause worries about what to do next. If death occurred as a result of a car crash, end of life medical bills and funeral costs add to survivors' stress.
