Seminole Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Florida has a lot of motorcycles and a lot of roads to ride them on, more than most other states. Florida also has more motorcycle fatalities than most other states, even those with more motorcycles. 2020 saw 8,045 motorcycle crashes in the Sunshine State, resulting in 552 fatalities, 1,890 incapacitating injuries, and 5,030 other injuries. Just in Pinellas County alone, there were 411 crashes, 374 injuries and 18 deaths that year. That’s an injury or death in over 95% of the motorcycle accidents that occurred.
Riding a motorcycle can be fun, but it can also be dangerous, resulting in severe injuries or death. On top of that, motorcycle riders in Florida suffer from a general bias that motorcycle riders are reckless and the cause of most accidents, coupled with insurance laws that deny benefits to motorcycle accident victims that other motor vehicle drivers get. At The Reep Law Firm, our motorcycle crash lawyers know how to build a case based on the facts and hold negligent drivers accountable when they are the ones to blame. Our commitment is to maximize compensation for our clients who are hurting and need our help. Contact our experienced Seminole motorcycle accident attorney today.
Motorcyclists in Florida Don’t Get No-Fault Insurance
Car drivers in Florida can benefit from no-fault insurance, also known as Personal Injury Protection or PIP. This insurance provides medical benefits and wage replacement after an accident, without the victim having to prove that the other driver was at fault or prove the victim wasn’t to blame. Motorcycle riders don’t get those benefits. Instead, bikers who get into a crash will either have to rely on their own medical payments insurance if they have it or sue the other driver.
The advantage of suing the other driver is that the victim can recover all of their past and future medical bills, lost income from time missed from work or due to future disability or diminished earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. No-fault benefits, on the other hand, don’t come close to fully compensating an accident victim. To be successful on your claim, however, you’ll have to prove the other driver was negligent and their negligence is both the factual and legal cause of your injuries. Additionally, you’ll need to prove and justify the amount of damages you are seeking. This is true whether you are settling with the insurance company out of court or taking your case to a jury. Proving fault is an uphill battle for an accident victim, but it is something our motorcycle accident lawyers at The Reep Law Firm excel at.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Seminole
Motorcycles are highly maneuverable machines, and most riders acquire specialized skills and training to help them handle their bikes safely. Still, even the most experienced rider can’t always avoid a crash with a negligent or reckless driver. Here are some of the main reasons motorcycle accidents happen in Seminole and Pinellas County.
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Left turns – Drivers making left turns at intersections or across traffic are a leading cause of motorcycle crashes. Drivers often fail to notice a motorcycle approaching from the opposite direction, or if they do see the bike, they misjudge its speed and distance. Drivers turn left into the path of the oncoming motorcycle, and the rider doesn’t have enough time to avoid hitting the car.
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Lane changes – When drivers fail to signal a lane change or check their blind spot, they are liable to hit a motorcycle coming up from behind in an adjacent lane. Motorcycles come up quickly, and they are harder to spot. Signaling and checking blind spots are required by law because failing to do so can be so dangerous. The risks are even greater when a motorcycle is involved.
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Distracted Driving – Texting while driving, looking at social media, and other phone-related distractions are the great scourge of our time when it comes to safe driving. Even attentive drivers are less likely to notice motorcycles because of their size and because there are fewer of them on the road; distracted drivers are much more likely to cause a crash with a motorcycle they don’t realize is there.
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Drunk Driving – Drunk drivers have impaired judgment, impaired vision, dulled reflexes… In fact, all the skills required for safe driving are negatively impacted by alcohol. Drunk drivers are a menace to everyone on the road, particularly vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians.
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Drowsy Driving – Drowsy or fatigued drivers are likely to drift out of their lane, which can be especially dangerous to a motorcycle in the adjacent lane.
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Aggressive/Reckless Driving – Drivers who squeeze or crowd out motorcycles or swerve into their lane can cause motorcycle accidents without even touching the bike. These so-called phantom crashes can force the motorcyclist off the road or into another car or fixed object, with deadly consequences.
Contact The Reep Law Firm Today
Don’t be fooled by a motorcycle’s agility. Far from being reckless or aggressive drivers as a group, motorcycle operators are some of the most skilled, experienced and attentive drivers around. If you were hurt in an accident caused by a negligent or reckless motorcyclist, we’ll work to hold them accountable to you for the harm they caused. But if you were an injured motorcyclist hurt in a crash with a negligent motor vehicle driver, we’ll work equally hard to prepare and present a solid case that proves the other driver’s liability to you. Contact our experienced Seminole motorcycle accident attorney today.
