Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Tampa Bay
After a Motorcycle Crash in Florida, Call Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Tampa Bay, Florida
Of all types of motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle riders often suffer some of the most catastrophic personal injuries and are disproportionally killed in accidents. This is because of the large of safety equipment such as a seat belt, air bag, side curtain, and other safety features – including just having the shell of a vehicle body around them like occupants of cars or trucks have. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Tampa Bay know that statistics unfortunately support this contention. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists account for over 5,500 fatalities and over 82,500 injuries in traffic accidents each year in the United States.
On just the Sunshine State’s near-perfect roads for motorcycles, Florida accounts for over 515 fatalities, over 1,700 incapacitating injuries, and almost 3,000 other types of injuries to motorcycle riders each year. These figures from Florida have been increasing over the years, with traffic fatalities to motorcycle riders steadily increasing about 3% over the last few years. This are concerning statistics because catastrophic and fatal injuries caused to motorcycle riders affect not just the victim, but also the entire family.
That is why our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers in Tampa Bay at Dumas & Sanclemente are dedicated to helping victims and their families recover the compensation that they deserve in a motorcycle accident. If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Florida, call to schedule a FREE consultation with our personal injury law firm to learn more about your rights to compensation. We only get paid after you get paid in a settlement, verdict, award, or another recovery, which means there is no upfront cost or financial risk to begin working with our skilled team.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Florida
Motorcycle accidents happen quite often in Florida. Part of the reason for this is that the state of Florida has many more motorcyclists than most other states in the country. There are many different causes of motorcycle accidents in Florida. While some accidents may be caused by the motorcyclist, many times the accident is either partially caused by, or fully caused by another driver. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in the Tampa Bay area include the following:
- Aggressive drivers
- Driving at an excessive speed
- Roads that are not properly maintained
- Drunk driving
- Drugged driving
- Failure to check blind spots
- Distracted driving
- Failure to stop at a stop sign
- Failure to yield to the right-of-way
- Failure to use turn signals
- Defective motorcycle parts, and
- Other causes of motorcycle accidents in Florida that could be caused by the negligent act or omissions of other drivers, businesses, or government agencies.
Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents in Florida
Motorcyclists are often severely injured in accidents. This is because there is little protection from other cars, the ground, or other hazards. Some of the most common injuries that motorcyclists sustain when injured in an accident include the following:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Head trauma
- Spinal cord injuries (paralysis, quadriplegia, paraplegia, etc.)
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Eye injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Road rash
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Broken bones or fractures
- Hip injuries
- Knee injuries
- Amputation or loss of limb
- Blindness
- Road rash
- Wrongful death, and
- Other injuries caused by motorcycle accidents in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida.
Damages for Victims Injured in Motorcycle Accidents in Tampa Bay
The costs of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident can be devastating. Some victims have high medical bills, may be unable to return to work, and may have long-standing effects that can be very costly. Victims of motorcycle accidents that are caused by another person, company, or municipality may be eligible for damages.
Damages are awarded to try to cover any financial losses that the victim has sustained now and for any future needs. Damages are typically awarded in the form of compensation. Some of the most common damages that are awarded to motorcycle accident victims include the following:
- Physical pain and suffering (past, present, and future)
- Emotional pain and suffering (past, present, and future)
- Medical bills, now and in the future
- Home and vehicle modifications (i.e. chair lift, ramp, etc.)
- Nursing care
- Rehabilitation coverage
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral and burial costs
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost future earnings
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Emergency service transportation coverage
- Punitive damages
- Wrongful death/survivor compensation, and
- Many other damages that are related to a motorcycle accident in Florida.
Liability of Motorcycle Accidents in Florida
Oftentimes, liability for motorcycle accidents can be difficult to determine or prove. People often have negative stereotypes about motorcyclists (i.e., aggressive drivers, frequently speed, etc.) which can make it difficult to prove that the other driver, company, or municipality is at fault. While these negative stereotypes exist, the individual circumstances surrounding the accident are reviewed, such as the speed of both drivers, if either driver was distracted at the time of the accident, if the road conditions were poor, use of alcohol or drugs, fatigue, and related claims).
Florida is a comparative fault state, which means that financial liability is proportionate to the degree of fault. Therefore, if it is determined that the motorcyclist was 30% at fault and is awarded 100,000, they will collect $70,000 in damages.
With that being said, many times it is found that the other driver has either caused or contributed to the accident in some way, such as violating the motorcyclist’s right of way, or failing to check blind spots which lead to the driver not seeing the motorcyclist. Parties who may be held either partially responsible or fully responsible include the following:
- The driver of the other vehicle – If the driver fails to check their blind spots, is driving aggressively, fails to give the motorcyclist the right of way, or breaks any other law which leads to an accident injuring a motorcyclist, they may be held liable.
- Government agency – If the state or local government fails to provide adequate upkeep of the road where the motorcycle occurred, they may be held liable. Signs that a state or local government failed to provide adequate upkeep of the roads includes large potholes, missing guardrails, damaged guardrails, uneven lanes, crumbling roads, missing signs, worn road markings, illegible signs, or other signs of poor upkeep of the roadway.
- Company – If the vehicle that caused the accident was owned by a company (i.e. a commercial truck), the commercial trucking company may be liable. This is because they are responsible for their drivers, their conduct, and the upkeep of their trucks
Vehicle Manufacturer – If a part fails due to a defect and a recall has not been issued, the vehicle manufacturer may be responsible or partly responsible for your accident.
Injured in a Motorcycle Accident in Florida? Call Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Tampa Bay, Florida
If you or your loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident, it is wise to work with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Tampa Bay who is experienced in working with motorcycle accident victims. Here at Dumas & Sanclemente, our experienced personal injury lawyers have handled many types of serious and catastrophic motor vehicle accident cases – including motorcycle accidents. We know how to prove liability and establish damages in some of the most difficult types of cases.
After a motorcycle accident in the Tampa Bay Area, call our bodily injury law firm to schedule a FREE consultation by dialing 866-832-1569 or by sending us a private message through our “Contact Us” box available here.