Motorcycle injury victims need an experienced attorney to fight the insurance companies or pursue their claims in court. At TK Law in Orlando, our motorcycle accident lawyers help people pursue the full compensation they are entitled to for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.
Speak with an experienced Florida attorney at our firm today.
Call 855-Kramer-Now (855-572-6376).
Are Motorcycle Accidents Different from Car and Truck Accidents?
Motorcyclists have just as many traffic privileges as cars and trucks, yet Florida laws pertaining to motorcycle accidents differ from laws governing car accidents. Major differences between a motorcycle accident and a car accident case include:
- The physics and dynamics of riding a motorcycle (i.e., 2 wheels as opposed to 4 wheels) are very different than driving a car or truck;
- Motorcycles do not have the safety features that cars and trucks have within their structure. There are no restraining devices, (seatbelts, airbags, door locks, etc.) and no protective metal compartment surrounding a rider.
For these reasons, motorcycle accidents involving other vehicles are more likely to be fatal or cause catastrophic injuries. A motorcyclist is quite vulnerable to serious injuries in head-on, rear-end, and side impact collisions.
In addition, because motorcycles are less stable and less visible than other vehicles, crashes can be triggered by things that would not normally cause a car or truck accident, such as road debris, mud, potholes, and other common causes of motorcycle accidents.
All of these issues make it important to hire an attorney with experience in handling motorcycle claims and who is knowledgeable of motorcycle injury law and insurance matters.
Proving Fault in a Motorcycle Accident
Similar to car and truck accidents, a motorcycle accident attorney is responsible for two main issues in your case: liability determination (who was at-fault?) and pursuing maximum compensation for damages, injuries, or loss of life.
Your attorney will need to prove fault in a motorcycle crash on the theories of negligence and/or product liability.
- Negligence: If the other driver failed to exercise reasonable care while on the roadway, such as failing to obey traffic laws or pay attention while behind the wheel, then your attorney must prove that the driver’s wrongdoing led to the injured party’s damages.
- Wrongful Death: If a loved one is killed in a motorcycle accident, the family may have recourse to recover compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. A personal injury attorney can help the family of the deceased rider prove that the other driver’s negligence was the cause of the victim’s death.
- Product Liability: Evidence of motorcycle design defects, defective parts, shoddy manufacturing, or other factors involving a motorcycle’s production may be crucial in a motorcycle wreck case. An accident that appears to have been caused by one bad driver may turn out to be the result of a combination of different factors including manufacturer liability.
The liable party or parties can be held financially responsible for damages caused as a result of a motorcycle accident including:
- Current and future lost wages of the motorcyclist or his or her family members
- Mental and physical pain and suffering
- Current and future medical bills
Speak with an experienced Florida attorney at our firm today.
Call 855-Kramer-Now (855-572-6376).
What Insurance Laws Cover Florida Motorcycle Accident Claims?
Insurance disparities exist between motorcycle and car or truck coverage. For example, motorcyclists are not permitted to carry personal injury protection, or PIP (No-Fault) insurance.
You can buy medical payments insurance for a motorcycle (to cover injuries that you suffer), and you can buy insurance to cover injuries or damage that you cause to another while on a motorcycle.
An injured motorcyclist may seek compensation from the at-fault party through a personal injury lawsuit. Because motorcycles are not subject to PIP insurance restrictions, injured riders are not restricted in the damages they may seek for their injuries.
For example, an injured motorcyclist who brings a personal injury action against an at-fault party does not have to prove his or her injuries are permanent in order to recover damages for pain and suffering and loss of the enjoyment of life.
Contact an Orlando Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Every motorcycle accident is different. Any number of factors can contribute to an accident, including the negligence of another driver, defective motorcycle parts or design, dangerous roads, poor visibility, or driver error.
It is imperative that an experienced personal injury attorney answers your questions about Florida’s complex no-fault accident laws and the uniqueness of your motorcycle accident claim. Please contact us or call 855-Kramer-Now (855-572-6376) to speak to a knowledgeable attorney who will explain your options.
Do you know how to protect yourself after a motorcycle accident?