West Palm Beach Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Warm, sunny weather year-round attracts motorcyclists to the state of Florida for obvious reasons. Some ride for for economic benefits, some ride to spend a few extra minutes enjoying time spent outside, and everyone rides for the fun. Riding a motorcycle is an all around great way to commute, cruise beach streets, and get out of the city into the country. However, as all motorcyclists know, a horrific spill could be just around the bend. And, what makes it all the more frustrating is that it is often completely out of your control. Larger vehicles often don’t give enough space, they fail to yield the right of way, and sometimes they just don’t see motorcyclists because they’re distracted by their phone or the kids in the backseat. Whatever the reason, if a driver causes you to crash, and you become injured and your motorcycle suffers damage, you may be able to collect compensation to help pay for your damages.
Taking Precautions Can Decrease Crashes and Injuries
There are only so many things you can do to protect yourself from crashing, or to protect yourself in the event of a crash. Taking precautions can dramatically increase your safety, such as riding within the speed limit, entering blind corners with room (speed) to error, changing your riding behaviors with the conditions (such as slowing down in the rain), and wearing protective gear such as a full face helmet, an armored riding jacket, full leather riding pants, boots, and armored gloves. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, helmets are 67 percent effective for preventing traumatic brain injuries and 37 percent effective for preventing deaths. Only 19 states have mandatory helmet requirements. Florida is not one of those states. In Florida, a rider only needs to be 21 years of age and hold medical insurance coverage in order to ride without a helmet.
Two Common Motorcycle Collisions Caused by Cars
Defensive riding is perhaps one of the most critical components to avoiding collisions with cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. The two traffic altercations listed below are some of the primary ways in which motorcyclists get taken out by distracted, careless, or aggressive drivers.
- Driver Changes Lane Dangerously – An abrupt lane change can quickly end in disaster if the driver fails to notice the motorcyclist that may be to their side. To avoid being side-swept, spend as little time as possible to the sides or even close to other traffic, and avoid what many consider to be the blind spot, though none truly exists if proper mirror adjustment is performed. Also be on the lookout for turning wheels, turn signals, and cars that are weaving in and out of their lane.
- Rear-End Collisions – A fender bender can kill a motorcyclist. Because of that, pull up in front of cars that are already stopped at traffic lights (give a polite wave), so they act as your non-existant bumper. Or, if no cars are present at the light or crosswalk, pull off slightly to the side so that slow-to-stop cars don’t hit you or at least don’t hit you full on.
West Palm Beach Motorcycle Accidents Data
In 2012, there were 9,394 motorcycle crashes in the state of Florida, causing 8,658 rider injuries and 457 deaths to riders, including operators and passengers. One-fifth of these accidents occurred in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. The West Palm Beach motorcycle accident attorneys at the law offices of Pike & Lustig, LLP represent motorcycle-accident victims and their families throughout south Florida and statewide. We handle roadway and highway accidents, including accidents occurring on Florida’s Turnpike.
Serious Motorcycle Accidents Require Serious Legal Representation
Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injury or death. If involved in a motorcycle accident, you must be aware of your rights to recover for your injuries including, but not limited to, past and future medical bills, loss of wages, hospital expenses, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and other damages insurance carriers will attempt to avoid compensating you for if your are not represented by an experienced attorney.
Our personal injury law firm handles motorcycle accident cases resulting in wrongful death; catastrophic injuries leaving victims quadriplegic and paraplegic; devastating injuries causing the loss of a limb; and injuries requiring surgeries and other invasive medical treatment. Through years of practice and successful results for our clients, our attorneys have earned the trust of victims of motorcycle collisions and their loved ones by passionately advocating for their rights, aggressively fighting for justice, and handling each and every case with an extraordinary attention to detail.
Act Quickly to Preserve Your Rights in a West Palm Beach Motorcycle Accident Case
Time is of the essence in a motorcycle accident case. If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, immediately report the accident to local law enforcement and obtain a police and accident-crash report. Motorcycle accidents often involve serious injuries. Therefore, obtain medical attention immediately, and understand you must seek emergency care within fourteen (14) days of the accident or risk losing insurance benefits under your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy of insurance. Finally, contact an experienced West Palm Beach motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible to make sure your rights are protected.
We are trial lawyers; we enjoy being in the courtrooms in State and Federal Court fighting on behalf of our clients and protecting their rights. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami or anywhere in Florida statewide, call Pike & Lustig, LLP for a free consultation.
