Motorcycle riders are a different breed. Their vehicles and outlook are different. Unfortunately, the accidents that motorcyclists get into are different as well. Motorcycle riders are more likely to than car and truck drivers to suffer serious injury or even death in a crash.
There’s often a difference in how and why a motorcycle accident happens, too.
In 2011, nearly half of all motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with another type of motor vehicle, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Many crashes occur because a car driver failed to check a blind spot or share the road safely.
What’s not different is a motorcycle rider’s right to proper compensation when he or she is injured in an accident caused by another.
An experienced Florida motorcycle accident attorney from the Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, P.A., can help you after a crash. We serve clients throughout Tampa, Holiday and surrounding areas. Contact us today and receive a free consultation about your case.
Motorcycle Accidents vs. Car Accidents
Consider the many ways in which a motorcycle accident is different than a car accident:
- More deaths and injuries –Motorcyclists are over 30 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash, the NHTSA reports. They are five times more likely to be injured. Motorcyclists involved in crashes suffer high rates of head and facial injuries, including traumatic brain injury (TBI). They also suffer lower-extremity, chest and stomach injuries in crashes.
- “I didn’t see him” – This is an all-too-common claim after a motorcycle accident. A well-known study often called “The Hurt Report” found that motorists’ failure to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the major cause of motorcycle accidents.
- Right-of-way violations –In 66 percent of motorcycle-car collisions, the car violated the motorcycle’s right of way, according to The Hurt Report.
- Shorter stopping distances – Because motorcycles stop more quickly than larger vehicles, they are often hit from behind by motorists who follow them too closely.
- Susceptibility to road hazards –Because of their lighter weight and reliance on two wheels, motorcycles are less stable. They are more easily wrecked by potholes, ruts in the road, wet roadways or even loose gravel or sand.
Because Florida is a comparative fault state, motorists who hit a motorcycle tend to argue that the motorcyclist was at fault for the accident. If not rebutted, this allows the motorist’s insurer to pay a smaller settlement. An attorney can help you to reject these contentions.
Our Lawyers Can Handle Your Florida Motorcycle Accident Case
The motorcycle accident lawyers of the Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers will strive to obtain all of the compensation you deserve after a collision with another vehicle or an accident caused by faulty road conditions.
We understand motorcycle accidents and the severity of injuries motorcyclists are likely to suffer. We know that you need a full insurance payout and should not see it reduced by comparative fault claims.
We’ll fight for the best outcome for you – whether we through negotiations or trial.
Contact us today to get started on your case.
For More Information
- Motorcycles, NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts
- Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, National Safety Council
- Research in Motorcycle Crashes, Motorcycle Safety Foundation
- Motorcycle Helmet Use and Head and Facial Injuries, National Highway Traffic Safety Foundation
