Wesley Chapel Motorcycle Accident Attorney
According to the state’s Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department, Florida saw 8,895 motorcycle crashes in 2019. These accidents caused 550 fatalities and well over 7,000 injuries. These numbers are tragic. Unfortunately, they are pretty stable year-over-year.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a crash while out riding, contact Moore Law. Our firm is committed to helping riders obtain compensation, but they face an uphill challenge. Our Wesley Chapel motorcycle accident attorney might be able to help.
Types of Motorcycle Accidents
Many motorcycle accidents are caused by careless drivers. These individuals often do not see the motorcycle they crash into, or they refuse to give motorcyclists sufficient space on the road. The result is a motorcyclist suffering serious injuries after an entirely preventable collision.
Some of the more common accidents we’ve seen are:
- Left-hand turns. Waiting at an intersection, a motorist might make a left turn without seeing the biker coming through.
- Lane change. A motorcyclist might be in a blind spot when a vehicle decides to change lanes. They pull directly into the biker.
- Rear-end collisions. Some distracted motorists never see the motorcyclist waiting patiently at the light. Unfortunately, lane splitting is illegal in Florida, so motorcyclists are at the mercy of drivers.
- Head-on collision. Some motorists cross the center lane, either by accident or to pass a vehicle. They can collide head on with a motorcyclist.
Motorcycle Safety
Riding a motorcycle is a terrific hobby. Many couples and even entire families enjoy our beautiful weather out on the road on a bike.
But safety should always be paramount. To reduce accidents or serious injuries, consider the following:
- Wear a helmet. Florida doesn’t require one for most motorcyclists. But studies have shown that helmets reduce serious brain injuries by nearly 70%.
- Stand out from the crowd. Wear a bright yellow jacket or helmet that increases your visibility on the road. Better yet, paint your bike a dazzling neon color.
- Follow the rules of the road. Unfortunately, you can’t count on other motorists to do so. Always use turn signals and never hug the centerline.
- Take a safety course. It’s never too late to brush up on your skills. A class can help with handling a motorcycle on turns and in inclement weather.
- Ride a bike that is an appropriate size. Something too big could be hard to handle.
Suing for Compensation
After a car accident, victims submit a claim to their personal injury protection (PIP) insurer. However, motorcycle accidents work differently. PIP policies do not apply to these types of accidents, so an injured motorcyclist needs to bring a negligence claim for compensation.
In some situations, the driver who struck you will have a liability policy, which can pay out compensation if the driver was at fault. In other cases, we might need to sue in court for compensation in a personal injury lawsuit.
Compensation should cover all the financial and non-financial losses a motorcyclist has suffered. For example, we seek damages for medical care, including future medical expenses, along with lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Involved in a Wesley Chapel Motorcycle Accident? Contact Moore Law
Our law firm understands how difficult it is to move on from an accident. We’ve built a firm that has advocated for injured victims like you for nearly 30 years. To learn more about how we can help, give us a call or send an email to schedule a confidential consultation.
