Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Helping you seek the compensation you need after a motorcycle crash in Florida
Motorcycles of all types are a popular mode of transportation for visiting tourists and Florida residents alike. In 2011, more than 627,600 motorbikes were registered in Florida. However, because of their small size and relatively unprotected nature, motorcycles can be deadly. Nearly 7,500 motorcycle crashes were recorded in Florida in 2010, according to statistics from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. These crashes resulted in nearly 6,700 motorcyclists injured and another 350 killed, not to mention 725 motorcycle passengers injured and more than 35 passengers killed.
At Boone & Davis, Attorneys at Law, our Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident attorneys take prompt action to help injured victims and surviving family members recover the compensation they need after an accident caused by the negligence of others. With more than 40 years of experience with personal injury law, our attorneys have a dedication to straightforward, open communication and to assisting victims injured in accidents involving a broad range of vehicles, including:
- Motorcycle crashes
- Moped crashes
- Scooter accidents
- Sport bike accidents
- ATV accidents
- Dirt bike crashes
Motorcycles are becoming more and more popular in Florida, with both residents and tourists flocking to bikes. Unfortunately, our roadways are not always safe for motorcyclists. According to data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), there were 10,201 motorcycle crashes reported in the state in 2015, leading to more than 9,000 injuries.
At Boone & Davis, our Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyers are committed to helping improve highway safety in Florida. Our firm fights aggressively to protect the legal rights and financial interests of injured motorcyclists and injured motorcycle passengers. If you or a loved one was hurt in a crash, please get your case to our team today for a free comprehensive evaluation.
Motorcycle Accident Liability in Florida
Unlike the majority of American states, Florida is a no fault jurisdiction. The state’s no fault rules have many important implications for motorcycle accident injury claims. First, under state regulations, all motorcyclists are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage. Regardless of who was at fault for your motorcycle crash, this policy will be the first place to go to get medical compensation. For many motor vehicle accident claims in Florida, fault is simply not an issue.
However, there are times when a motorcycle accident victim will be able to ‘step outside’ of the standard no-fault insurance system. Specifically, you will be eligible to do this if you suffered a serious injury. In these types of cases, you will need to bring a claim directly against the at fault party. To do so, you should consult with a qualified attorney as soon as possible.
Causes of motorcycle accidents
According to statistics, in 2011 more motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher, which is above the legal limit, than drivers of any other type of vehicle. Impaired riders with a BAC of 0.08 percent accounted for 26 percent of fatalities, and impaired motorcyclists with a BAC of 0.01 percent or more accounted for 32 percent.
Drunk riding is not the only cause of motorcycle accidents. All types of negligence, faulty equipment and road defects can cause motorcycle accidents. At Boone and Davis, our Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident attorneys assist motorbike riders, passengers and others who are injured from all types of causes, including:
- Failure of drivers of passenger cars and trucks to see or look for smaller motorcycles on the road
- Negligence or reckless driving by drivers, including speeding and sudden turns or lane changes
- Drunk driving
- Driver distraction, including texting, talking on a cell phone, talking to passengers or using the radio or MP3 player
- Manufacturing or design defects of motorcycles or motorbikes
Helmets and head injuries
Under Florida law, all riders must have eye protection when riding a motorcycle, such as goggles, glasses or a windshield, but most drivers are not required to wear helmets. Drivers who are age 21 or older and who carry a minimum medical insurance policy of $10,000 do not have to wear helmets. However, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, once Florida changed its helmet laws to exempt adult motorcycle and moped riders from wearing helmets, the fatality rate for accidents increased by nearly 50 percent.
Because of the unprotected nature of motorcycles, riders can suffer extremely serious or even deadly head injury and other injuries — even in accidents that would cause only relatively minor injuries for drivers and passengers of larger vehicles. In fact, traffic accidents are the leading cause of deaths resulting from traumatic brain injuries. In addition, auto and motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of spinal injuries and account for more than 40 percent of new injuries each year. Wearing a helmet, and other protective gear, can greatly reduce your risk for these and other injuries.
Compensation Available to Motorcycle Accidents Victims
Due to the nature of motorcycles, riders and passengers are inherently exposed to certain risks. As such, when an accident occurs, the damage can be truly devastating. Florida motorcycle accident victims need to be able to seek compensation for the full value of their losses. Unfortunately, insurance companies, including a victim’s own insurance company, can be reluctant to pay the full amount that is owed. Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers have the skills and experience needed to help you obtain the fair settlement offer you deserve. Depending on the circumstances of your case, we can help you seek financial compensation for:
- Any damage to your motorcycle;
- Emergency room bills and ambulance fees;
- All other medical expenses;
- Short-term and long-term disability;
- Lost wages, including diminished ability to earn;
- Pain and suffering;
- Mental anguish;
- Severe physical impairment, including loss of limb;
- Loss of life enjoyment; and
- Wrongful death.
Florida Motorcycle Accident Injury Statistics
Motorcycles are a popular form of transportation our region. According to the most recent data from the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), there are more than 619,000 bikes legally registered in the state of Florida. Unfortunately, too often, our roads are simply not safe for motorcyclists. Earlier this year, the Miami Herald reported that Florida leads the nation in total annual motorcycle accident fatalities, with South Florida, including Miami-Dade County, Palm Beach County and Broward County being overrepresented among serious crashes.
At Boone & Davis, our Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident attorneys are dedicated to promoting safer highways for bikers. We have more than three decades of experience successfully bringing personal injury claims, and have helped thousands of people obtain full and fair compensation for their damages. Here, our team assesses the problem, providing the public with a comprehensive overview of Florida motorcycle accident injury statistics.
Florida Motorcycle Accidents: The Data
The most recently published reliable statistics on Florida highway safety comes from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) and covers the 2014 calendar year and the 2015 calendar year. Unfortunately, the data paints an alarming picture. Not only are serious motorcycle accidents far too prevalent in our state, but they are becoming even more common.
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In 2014, there were 9,854 motorcycle accidents reported in Florida. Collectively, these accidents resulted in 8,884 injuries and 449 fatalities.
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In 2015, there were 10,201 motorcycle accidents reported in Florida. Collectively, these accidents resulted in 9,244 injuries and 584 fatalities.
To put these numbers into perspective, this means that total motorcycle accidents increased by nearly 3.6 percent in 2015, when compared to the previous year. Total motorcycle accident-related injuries increased by a similar percentage. However, motorcycle accident deaths increased by an astonishing 33 percent. Even more alarming, the preliminary data that has been obtained by the Miami Herald suggests that motorcycle fatalities increased even more in 2016. Clearly, more needs to be done to protect the health and safety of riders in our state.
Motorcycle Crashes Come With Heightened Risks
When on a motorcycle, riders and passengers are exposed to unique risks. When an accident happens, the consequences can be truly catastrophic. While most people understand this intuitively, the statistics really hammer home the point. According to DHSMV data, motorcycles are only involved in 1 in every 300 Florida crashes that lead to property damage only. Yet, motorcycles are involved in 1 in every 35 crashes that results in an injury; and even more shockingly, motorcycles are involved 1 in every 7 Florida crashes that results in a death.
Contact Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident attorneys who care about just results
Since 1981, our Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident attorneys at Boone & Davis, Attorneys at Law have been committed to helping motorcycle riders and passengers obtain the compensation they need and deserve after accidents caused by the fault of others. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us online or call 954-566-9919 for a free initial consultation. From the moment we accept your case, our entire legal team is dedicated to being accessible, reliable and supportive.
