New Port Richey Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Approximately 516 motorcycle fatalities occur within a year in Florida. While they happen less frequently than car crashes, motorcycles account for 20 percent of all traffic crash deaths. The numbers have gone down slightly in recent years. The fatalities can belong to one of several types of accidents. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports how 61 percent of accidents are multi-vehicle collisions. In multiple instances, cars frequently hit the motorcycle from the front. Head-on collisions can lead to acute injuries, especially for the rider.

Due to a motorcycle’s size, the rider can travel in between the larger vehicles. You are likely to see lane-splitting when traffic is slow or not moving. Since the space between cars is small, a rider has less room to maneuver. Motorists might not suspect a motorcycle to pass by. They could accidentally hit the rider when they change lanes or open the car door. Many states prohibit lane-splitting, including Florida but this does not entitle a motorist to crash into a motorcyclist.

Left-hand turn accidents are common as well in multi-vehicle collisions. The rider could take the left turn, or they might pass through an intersection when another vehicle turns. The size of a motorcycle makes the rider less visible. Around 39 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes are single-vehicle incidents. A rider could hit a fixed object instead of a car. Examples of fixed objects are trees, guardrails, and a wall. The impact could cause the person to eject from their seat.

Someone might collide with a non-fixed object as well. A non-fixed object could be an animal, pedestrian, or clutter falling out of another vehicle.

People on motorcycles have less protection than drivers when it comes to accidents. As a result, the motorcycle accident injuries they sustain can be severe. Some riders suffer from a traumatic brain injury. You could feel confused, and headaches can develop some time after the accident. Several injured riders have seen improvement in their symptoms. However, many people have had to deal with the long-term effects. Everyday activities can become a challenge to complete. Someone might have difficulty with social activities or have vision problems.

A motorcycle rider is at risk of an injury to the spinal cord. An injury can result in impairment of motor function and sensation below the impact site. Some people suffer from a form of paralysis. Many victims experience permanent disability after an accident. After a person falls from their motorcycle, they could break or fracture their bones. Fractures can occur in the ribs, hands, wrists, arms, and legs. Broken leg bones are common among lower-extremity injuries. The lower half of the body can sustain damage to the soft tissue.

You could get a road rash after a motorcycle collision. A road rash is a skin abrasion when the rider makes contact with the pavement. The abrasion could be minor or severe. You have the potential to get an infection or permanent scarring. A rider is likely to experience internal injuries as well. They might have internal bleeding or damage to one or more organs. A collision could lead to penetration trauma from glass or another sharp object.

The liable party in a motorcycle accident is the one whose negligence caused the injuries. In most cases, the driver of a car or truck is the one liable for a collision. The person might have swerved in front of a car without warning. They might have allowed themselves to become distracted by a phone or passenger. The vehicle could have gone above the speed limit or crossed the intersection during a red light.

Motorists have a duty of care to every other vehicle, motorcycle, and pedestrian when on the street. For some injured people, the case of negligence is clear. Other motorcyclists might need to gather more evidence to prove the driver was responsible. Our firm knows the steps to prove liability and what evidence to gather. You should not have to worry about recovering damages after a collision.

When Is a Motorcycle Collision Likely to Occur?

Most fatal motorcycle accidents occur between June and August. People generally travel more during the summer months. The increased volume of traffic means a motorcyclist is more likely to get into a collision. During the week, an estimated 23.7 percent of accidents happen between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Most people travel home from their jobs during the timeframe. Some of them use motorcycles to get to places.

On the weekend, around 25.1 percent of fatal incidents are between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Many people like to go to stores and restaurants on weekend nights. The evening brings reduced visibility, and a driver is less likely to see a motorcycle.

What Can You Do After a Crash?

After you get medical help, you should find a lawyer to work on your case. Do not sign any forms or admit fault if you are unable to meet with a firm immediately. You should avoid conversations with the other party’s insurer to preserve your rights.

Take photos of your injuries and motorcycle damage. The images help show the severity of your injuries and losses. You should keep copies of bills related to the accident as well.

Another step to take is to get a copy of the police report. The report contains details of the collision and information on the at-fault driver. Many police reports have party and witness statements you can use.

Why Do Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Use Experts?

Several motorcycle accidents use experts to prove negligence. They can play a crucial role in the success of your claim. Your motorcycle accident lawyers at The LMD Injury Lawyers, Accident Injury Attorneys might hire an accident reconstructionist to look over the available evidence.

Reconstructionists create models and diagrams to show people the facts surrounding the crash. Economists and financial experts look at the changing costs of medical care, inflation, and loss of career advancement. They help with complex calculations of the economic damages.

Aggressive Motorcycle accident lawyers also hire a medical expert to act as an objective third party. They review your medical records and testify about your condition. A medical expert usually specializes in specific injuries and conditions. An example would be a neurologist for head injuries.

What if the At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance?

All drivers in Florida need to have car insurance. The minimum requirement is $10,000 for personal injury protection and property damage liability each. AS you may know, none of that required coverage is going to protect you if you are in a motorcycle accident with them.  The best thing you can toto protect yourself in a motorcycle accident is to have uninsured motorist coverage for yourself on your motorcycle.

If an uninsured driver hits you, you might have to seek compensation from your insurance company. Your insurer might deny your claim, so your next option would be to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. The uninsured driver may not have enough money in their account to pay a large settlement. However, a court could have the person pay monthly fees instead. A liquidation of their assets is another option to obtain reimbursement.  Although non