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Florida’s weather, scenic roads, and dense population make it the second most popular state for motorcycles, after California. But the proper motor accident attorney knows that four out of five motorcycle accidents cause serious injuries and death.
If you have faced damages or loss from a motorcycle accident, you should meet with a Broward County motorcycle accident lawyer for a free consultation. Review the evidence and pursue the compensation you may deserve with a professional attorney.
Motorcycle accidents fall under Florida’s personal injury law and are adjudicated by the state’s negligence standard. Negligence is legally defined as individuals not conducting themselves in a manner that a reasonable and prudent person would do in the same circumstance. An omission, that is failing to act in a situation, is also negligent.
Florida lawmakers require that anyone who is partially responsible for a collision bear a financial loss. For example, if a driver who is 70 percent at fault, and a motorcyclist is 30 percent to blame, the driver can only claim 30 percent and the rider only 70 percent of the losses.
To prove negligence, a motorcycle injury attorney in Broward County must satisfy the four elements of negligence. A party must have a duty of care to not cause injury or property damage to the rider or passenger. Failing to meet that duty is a breach, which resulted in injury, death, or property damage ensuing in financial loss. In cases of death, criminal law also applies.
Motorcycle accidents can occur from reckless driving, speeding, failing to obey traffic laws, and drivers failing to look for motorcyclists. Impairment and distraction can also cause collisions. Many motorists look away from the road, text and drive, or talk to passengers, increasing their chances of an accident.
The most severe motorcycle injuries are head injuries. Florida law does not require motorcyclists to wear a helmet if they are age 21 and covered by insurance for at least $10,000 in medical care in the event of a crash.
56 percent of Florida’s motorcycle riders and passengers who were killed in motorcycle crashes were not wearing a helmet, according to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Other injuries include spinal cord damage, paralysis, broken bones, internal, and severe lacerations. These severe injuries can be compensated through the litigation of a Broward County motorcycle accident lawyer.
Florida had more than 573,000 registered motorcycles in 2015, compared to more than 545,000 in 2013. The World Atlas reports an increase of more than 30,000 new registrations in two years.
With that, Florida experienced more than 10,000 motorcycle crashes in 2015. More than 8,000 riders and 800 passengers were injured and more than 400 riders and 38 passengers were killed, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Many personal injury lawyers, like the Broward County motorcycle accident lawyers, work on contingency. This means they work unpaid, unless they win the case. The attorney fees are taken from the damages won at trial or in a settlement. If the lawyer does not win, the attorney fees are waived.
If you are facing damages from a motorcycle collision, you should contact a motorcycle accident attorney to begin building a strong case today.
If you are injured and unable to come to us,
our attorney will come to you - there is no charge for us to do so.