We know that there is no better place in the country to ride motorcycles, which is why we have so many of them on our roadways. When ridden responsibly, they are a wonderful way to catch some fresh air. There is perhaps no other place in the country that celebrates motorcycle ownership more, as evidenced by the many “bike weeks” throughout the state during the year.
Motorcycle owners know that there are more risks when it comes to riding a motorcycle than people have when they are inside a regular passenger vehicle. That is why most owners take steps to ride safely. While some people think of motorcycles are dangerous vehicles, that is not the case when it comes to responsible riders. However, there is no way to predict the behavior of other drivers and that is often where the problems come from.
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident that was caused by another person’s negligence, you need to know where to turn for help. Vladimir Tsirkin & Associates, P.A. will be by your side when you call us. Our knowledgeable and experienced team will work diligently to secure compensation for all of your accident-related expenses – not just medical costs, but hidden costs as well.
When you need a Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accidents attorney, you can call us today.
Florida Motorcycle Crash Statistics
While we hope you never experience a motorcycle crash, we know that they happen regularly. During Florida’s latest reporting year, there were:
- 9,707 total motorcycle crashes
- 515 motorcycle crash fatalities
- 7,725 motorcycle crash injuries
- 2,139 incapacitating motorcycle crash injuries
Look at those numbers closely. Almost every motorcycle crash results in an injury or a fatality. Why is this the case?
Motorcyclists simply do not have the same kind of protections that a passenger in a vehicle has. There are no seatbelts, no airbags, and no metal frames to shield them from an impact. What makes things worse is that motorcyclists usually suffer from two impacts – one with a vehicle and another with the ground. That is two injury-causing impacts.
Potential Severe Injuries
In 2015, Florida ranked number one in the nation in motorcycle deaths. Even when a rider is wearing a helmet, they are susceptible to major injuries. These can include:
- Spinal cord injuries and different levels of paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries of varying degrees
- Severe lacerations or even amputations
- Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
- Catastrophic bone damage
These injuries all require immediate and extensive medical care, often including surgery and long-term rehabilitation. Many motorcycles accident victims are permanently disabled.
Will your insurance cover all of these medical costs, some of which can reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars?
There are also hidden costs to consider that insurance companies rarely offer to cover. This can include lost wages and benefits if an accident victim is unable to work. It can also include treatment for long-term emotional and psychological issues related to the crash.
Driver-Related Causes
Motorcyclists are susceptible to many of the same careless driver behavior that other vehicle passengers are, except the problem is compounded. All too often a driver will see a motorcycle but no treat it equally, like another vehicle. They follow too closely or do not allow a motorcyclist space to maneuver. This type of driving puts the motorcyclist in danger.
We know that drivers who are impaired by drugs or alcohol pose a danger to everyone on the roadways, particularly motorcyclists. Just as damaging are drivers who operate while distracted by their phones, other devices, or people inside of their vehicles. Impaired and distracted drivers often do not even slow down before they impact other vehicles or motorcycles.
Other major problems are drivers who speed and fail to yield when they are supposed to. Speeding drivers often do so without considering the consequences of their actions and a failure to yield is another consequence of distracted driving.
When another driver’s negligence causes a motorcyclist harm, they need to be held accountable for their actions.
Road Problems Are Real
Motorcyclists have to worry about road conditions more than drivers of regular passenger vehicles do. It is the responsibilityof government agencies and those they contract with to ensure that all road surfaces are free from hazards that could cause harm. Roads that have fallen out of repair are a danger to motorcyclists and can cause devastating accidents.
If agencies fail to perform regular maintenance and inspections on their roadways, they could be held liable in the event of an accident that causes harm.
Florida Bike Accident Lawyers
Due to its warm climate and relaxed helmet laws, there is no better place to ride a motorcycle other than Florida, and that is why so many bike riders are on Florida roads. It is a wonderful way to catch some fresh air when riding responsibly. As evidenced by so many “bikes weeks” throughout the state during the year, there is perhaps no other place in the country that celebrates motorcycle ownership more than Florida.
Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents do happen, and if and when they happen to you or your love ones, Vladimir Tsirkin and Associates will be by your side. We will work diligently to secure your compensation.
You Vladimir Tsirkin and Associates when you need experienced Florida Bike accident lawyers.
What Your Attorney Can Do
By securing a skilled attorney, you will have an advocate on your side to help throughout the entire process. The situation after an accident can become chaotic and you likely have little time to deal with insurance companies. Remember, these insurance companies are out to make a profit, not make large settlement payments. They will do everything they can to ensure they pay as little as possible, even question whether or not the other person was the one to blame. They may even try to blame you.
Your attorney will be able to deal with all insurance companies. They will also ensure that you have all the documentation you need when making your case. This includes:
- All medical records
- Any surveillance footage of the accidents
- Police reports
- Photographs taken at the scene
What To Do Now
If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident that was caused by another person’s careless or reckless behavior, seek legal assistance now. Vladimir Tsirkin & Associates, P.A. is here for you. We will work to secure compensation for each of your accident-related expenses. This means more than just your medical bills. We understand that hidden costs can hurt your finances just as much. This includes things like lost income if you cannot work as well as other pain and suffering damages.
When you need a Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 305-831-4333.
More questions?