Florida Motorcycle Accident Lawyer And Bike Accident Lawyer

Florida’s beautiful weather, coastal views, and abundance of tourists combine to create the perfect environment for two-wheeled travel. Bicycles and motorcycles are popular methods of travel throughout the state. Unfortunately, statistics show that an abundance of bikers leads to an abundance of serious and fatal accidents.

Motorcycle and bicycle riders who take to Florida’s sunny streets are at increased risk of serious injury or death. Such an outcome can bring life-altering consequences for the health and finances of the injured person and their family.

Much of the time, bike and motorcycle accidents in Florida occur because of the negligence of another driver. When a bike or motorcycle rider is injured and another driver is at fault for the crash, a Florida motorcycle accident lawyer or Florida bicycle accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation you need.

Compensation after a Florida crash can cover your medical expenses and provide you with the money to pay the bills while you heal. When a crash leads to death or a catastrophic injury, a lawyer can fight for the money to cover lifelong care.

Schrier Law Group is a Florida personal injury firm nationally recognized for producing outstanding results for the injured victims of Florida motorcycle and bicycle accidents. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help.

The Difference Between Bicycle and Motorcycle Accidents and Other Auto Vehicle Accidents in Florida

Bicycles and motorcycles have some key differences. Anyone can ride a bike, while legally operating a motorcycle requires instruction, licensing, and insurance. Motorcycles are limited to operating on roads just like cars and trucks, while bicycle riders can choose either the road or sidewalk and often have the option of designated bike lanes.

Despite the differences, there’s a crucial similarity between bicycles and motorcycles — they offer little protection in the event of a crash involving a larger vehicle.

The lack of an exterior, airbags, and seatbelts means the body of a bicyclist or motorcyclist is more likely to come into direct contact with another vehicle or the ground. This naturally leads to a higher risk of serious injury.

Bikes and motorcycles also pose a higher risk of accidents involving inclement weather, slippery roads, uneven pavement, or gravel on the road. All these factors pose a much higher danger to two-wheeled vehicles. Finally, both types of bikers can be difficult for other drivers to notice.

Florida leads the nation as the state with the most bicycle fatalities each year. Motorcyclists aren’t much safer on Florida roadways — the Sunshine State comes in at number four when it comes to fatal motorcycle accidents.

Common Bicycle Accident and Motorcycle Accident

If you don’t have experience with bicycle and motorcycle accidents, you probably don’t realize how many types of accidents occur every day. The type of accident you were involved in directly impacts how a bicycle or motorcycle accident lawyer will proceed with your bicycle or motorcycle accident case to help you gain compensation.

First, there’s the question of how many parties were directly involved. When a biker was hit or run off the road by another driver, it can be easier for a lawyer to prove negligence. However, even single-vehicle accidents don’t automatically disqualify a motorcycle or bike rider from gaining compensation.

It’s best to always consult with a bicycle or motorcycle accident lawyer after a crash, especially if your bicycle or motorcycle accident injuries were severe or expensive to treat. The actions of some other party might still have contributed to your crash. Common examples include:

• Manufacturer
• Designer
• Mechanic
• Construction crew
• Property owner

Even in accidents that involve multiple vehicles, there are a variety of common bicycle or motorcycle accident types. Motorcycle riders are most at risk of being injured in accidents that involve:

• Lane switching
• Left-turning vehicle
• Right turn
• Lane splitting
• High speed

Turning and changing lanes can put a rider at higher risk of an accident, especially because the driver of a larger vehicle might not notice the bike.

Speeding, lane splitting, or driving under the influence are also scenarios that commonly lead to motorcycle accidents — and when a rider is engaging in illegal or unsafe driving practices, it can put their chance of compensation in jeopardy.

Because bicycle riders have more flexibility and aren’t likely to be driving in high-speed or highway traffic, the most common types of bicycle accidents differ from common motorcycle accidents. Cyclists are most likely to find themselves in accidents that involve:

• Riding against traffic
• A vehicle overtaking a bicycle
• Right cross collision
• Left cross collision
• Rear end collision
• Right hook collision

Many of the most common types of bike accidents, like the right cross, left cross, and right hook, all involve unsafe turning practices. It can be easy for the driver of a larger vehicle to fail to notice a nearby cyclist and cause a collision while attempting a turn.

Typical Bicycle and Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Florida

Motorcycle and bicycle accidents in Florida have the potential to lead to all sorts of injuries, both minor and serious. However, these types of accidents result in higher rates of certain types of injuries.

Some of the injuries most likely to be experienced after a Florida motorcycle accident or bicycle accident include:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Lower extremity injuries
• Burns and lacerations

One of the most common injuries experienced in Florida bike and motorcycle crashes is a head injury. Unfortunately, this type of injury can be one of the most severe.

There are three main types of traumatic brain injury (TBI) — mild, moderate, and severe. A mild TBI is also referred to as a concussion. Even this “mild” type of injury can lead to additional health complications and produce long-term effects on cognitive function.

On the other end of the spectrum, a severe TBI is a life-altering injury. It can result in a lasting coma or produce significant changes to cognitive ability. Victims who experience severe TBI are often unable to return to work and may need costly lifelong care.

Florida Motorcycle and Bicycle Safety Laws

Florida is known for its lack of bicycle and motorcycle safety laws. Although research shows that wearing a helmet on either a motorcycle or a bike significantly decreases the risk of a traumatic brain injury, Florida puts few safety regulations on cyclists and motorcyclists.

Bicycle riders under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet, as are motorcyclists under the age of 21. Operators of both types of vehicles are entitled to use public roads and must obey all traffic laws.

Beyond that, the state allows adults to ride without protective headgear with one important caveat — a motorcyclist who wants to ride without a helmet must hold an insurance policy with a minimum of $10,000 in medical coverage.

All motorcyclists in Florida are also required to wear protective eyewear when driving on a public road. Motorcycles are required to have mirrors and headlights that remain on at all times. If a motorcyclist is carrying a passenger, the bike must come equipped with a designated passenger seat and footrests.

Compensation for Motorcycle and Bicycle Accidents in Florida

Compensation for a Florida motorcycle or bicycle accident follows the standard set for any type of personal injury or accident claim — compensation is designed to be commensurate with the damage. However, how you assess damage can range widely and depends largely on the skill and experience of your bicycle or motorcycle accident attorney.

Much of the time, a bicycle or motorcycle accident is caused by another motorcycle driver. When this happens, you can pursue compensation through that driver’s insurance. Sometimes another party might be liable for the accident, like if the manufacturer sold you a defective or unsafe bike.

Your lawyer will establish which party is at fault and build an argument for liability. They’ll also total up all damages that came out of the accident. This is how an accident compensation goal is reached.

If you were injured in a Florida motorcycle or bicycle accident, you can seek both economic and non-economic damages. The first is for financial costs or expenses, while the second is a form of compensation for damages that don’t have a dollar value. Common types of damages a lawyer can help you seek include payment for:

• Medical bills
• Ambulance bills
• Therapists
• Prescription drugs
• Lost wages and disability benefits
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish
• Loss of companionship
• Diminished quality of life
• Embarrassment or disfigurement

What types of damages you’re eligible to seek depends on the details of your accident and the accompanying evidence.

Some states place caps on the amount of damages an injury victim can receive. However, there is some good news for the victims of bicycle and motorcycle accidents in Florida — there’s no limit to either form of compensation described above, meaning there’s no legal limit to the compensation value you can receive.

Schrier Law Group Bicycle and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Schrier Law Group is a leader in Florida personal injury law. Our nationally recognized firm serves as home to an experienced legal team, including both Florida motorcycle accident lawyers and Florida bicycle accident lawyers.

The team at Schrier Law Group has a proven track record of recovering compensation that reaches six and seven figures for clients injured in Florida bicycle and motorcycle accidents.

These results don’t occur by chance — they’re the consequence of clients choosing premier personal injury attorneys to fight for maximum compensation after an accident.

Contact Schrier Law Group’s Personal Injury & Accident Lawyer in Florida

If you’ve been harmed in a Florida accident involving a motorcycle or bicycle, you need an experienced Florida motorcycle accident lawyer or Florida bicycle accident attorney fighting for you. Call Schrier Law Group today for more information on how we can help you with your legal case.