Motorcycle Accidents
Florida is the deadliest state in the country for motorcycle riders. Every year, around 5,000 people are killed in motorcycle accidents across the country. More than ten percent of those fatalities occur in Florida. In 2016, 586 people died in motorcycle crashes in Florida, and more than 8,000 others were injured. While motorcycles can be a fun, fuel-efficient, and economical alternative to passenger cars, motorcycles pose significant additional risks. Bikers are 28 times more likely to be killed in a crash than are passenger vehicle occupants. Accidents happen for a variety of reasons, from negligent drivers to inexperienced riders to vehicle manufacturing defects. If your loved one was killed in a motorcycle crash due to someone else’s negligence, you do not have to face that hardship alone.
Dedicated attorney Mark H. Wright has spent more than thirty years helping accident victims recover damages from negligent drivers, insurance companies, employers, and other parties. Mr. Wright prides himself on his dedicated service to his clients, providing the personalized attention that larger firms do not offer. At Mark H. Wright, PLLC, our number one priority is the welfare of our clients.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycles crash for any number of reasons. Like others involved in traffic accidents, motorcycle riders face a host of potential dangers on Florida roadways. Some hazards, however, are specific to bikers, and there are factors more likely to play a role in a motorcycle crash than a typical auto accident.
Some of the more common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Distracted, drunk, or drowsy drivers
- Drivers failing to check their blind spots
- Drivers turning or changing lanes without signaling
- Aggressive riding tactics such as lane-splitting or “white-lining”
- Inexperienced and untrained riders
- Door accidents
- Helmetless riding
All motorists have a responsibility to be cautious and aware while driving, especially when they know that a motorcycle may be nearby. Motorcyclists are often clipped when a driver makes a sudden left turn or lane shift, especially when they fail to check their blind spots and signal appropriately. Drivers who open their doors while stopped in traffic are also likely to interrupt a biker’s flow of movement, causing them to either swerve, slam the brakes, or hit the door. Additionally, alcohol plays a significant contributing factor to motorcycle crashes. In 2016, 78 percent of the fatal motorcycle accidents in Florida involved at least one party with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .01 or higher. Additionally, driver inexperience plays a larger role in motorcycle crashes than other types of traffic accidents, given the skill and split-second decision-making required to operate a motorcycle. A large portion of motorcycle crashes involves new riders or bikers who are not properly licensed.
Whatever the cause of your motorcycle crash, if you were injured while riding your motorcycle, or as a result of a negligent motorcycle rider, you are entitled to recovery for your harm. Florida motorcycle crash lawyer Mark H. Wright is ready to investigate your case and hold the at-fault party responsible for your injuries.
Recovering Damages After a Florida Motorcycle Crash
Florida’s personal injury insurance system treats motorcycle accidents differently than other types of traffic accidents. Motorcyclists do not get the benefit of personal injury protection (PIP) no-fault insurance. Unlike other drivers, injured bikers thus are not able to file a claim under a no-fault insurance policy. Instead, injured motorcycle riders must file a claim against the at-fault party directly or through their liability insurance.
Because they don’t have PIP coverage, motorcycle riders who are injured in a crash can seek additional damages beyond those covered by typical no-fault insurance policies. Bikers can file claims seeking the full measure of damages, including:
- Lost income due to missed work
- Lost future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Medical bills, past and future
- Psychological damages such as pain and suffering and emotional distress
Speak with an experienced and knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer at Mark H. Wright, PLLC, about your Florida motorcycle crash to learn the types of damages to which you may be entitled.
Trusted Advice After Your Motorcycle Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident in the Tampa Bay area, you need to act to ensure that you recover the damages you are owed. The motorcycle accident attorney at Mark H. Wright, PLLC, is ready to help. Our legal team is dedicated to providing tailored, individual service to each of our clients, whether they were injured in a motorcycle crash or are seeking recovery on behalf of an injured or deceased family member. If you or your family were hurt in a motorcycle crash in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Plant City, or Clearwater, call today for a consultation.
