Riding a motorcycle is risky. Motorcycles require skill and balance to ride safely. Many road dangers, from slick surfaces to poorly lighted streets, can disrupt a rider and cause a motorcycle accident.
But the greatest risk to motorcyclists comes from other road users. According to a study by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), automobile drivers bear the blame for over 60% of collisions between autos and motorcycles.
Read on to learn about some common road dangers for motorcyclists in Miami and how Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help you get compensation after a motorcycle accident. Contact us online or give us a call at (305) 937-0191 today to schedule a free consultation.
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How Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Accident in Miami
The team at Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers has extensive experience helping injured motorcyclists. The firm’s Miami personal injury attorneys have more than 100 years of combined experience. Since the firm’s founding in 2007, the firm has recovered over $100 million in injury compensation for its clients.
The firm’s lawyers have received many awards and honors, including:
- Board certification in civil trial law by the Florida Board of Legal Specialization
- 10.0 Superb rating from Avvo
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the U.S. by the American Trial Lawyers Association
A motorcycle accident can cause catastrophic injuries that require expensive medical treatment and therapy and prevent you from working. To discuss your motorcycle accident and the compensation you can seek for your injuries, contact Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
How Common Are Road Dangers for Motorcyclists?
Florida provides two main sources of traffic accident data. The Florida Traffic Safety Dashboard gives traffic accident statistics on a city, county, and state level. The Florida Crash Facts Report provides state-level statistics.
According to the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, only 2% of traffic accidents result from a vehicle defect or failure, while road or weather conditions cause 2% of accidents, and driver errors cause 94% of crashes.
Motorcycles have a higher fatality rate than automobiles, according to the Crash Facts report. Motorcycles only make up 3.5% of registered vehicles in Florida, but 16.9% of Florida traffic fatalities were either a motorcyclist or motorcycle passenger.
Motorcycles also have a higher injury rate than automobiles, according to the Crash Facts report. In Florida, the injury crash rate for all traffic accidents is 31%, while the motorcycle injury crash rate is 75%.
Overview of Common Road Dangers for Motorcyclists
Road dangers abound for motorcyclists. Motorcycles have a much higher single-vehicle accident rate than automobiles. About 34% of motorcycle crashes involve only the motorcycle, while about 19% of automobile crashes involve only the auto.
Liability for Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclist errors cause about 66% of single-vehicle motorcycle crashes. In these crashes, motorcyclists bear sole responsibility for their injuries. Since Florida’s no-fault insurance system does not apply to motorcyclists, these motorcyclists must use their health insurance or pay out of pocket for any medical treatment their injuries require.
In the remaining single-vehicle accidents, someone else might bear liability for any injuries. A manufacturer might be responsible for crashes caused by a defective motorcycle or motorcycle part. You might seek compensation from a construction company that drops something onto the road that causes you to crash.
In a collision, the person who caused the crash is liable for any injuries. As noted previously, an FDOT study found that auto drivers cause about 60% of motorcycle crashes in Florida. For these crashes, the driver and their insurance should pay for any injuries to the motorcyclist.
Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents
When a motorcyclist crashes, the most likely injuries happen to the legs, arms, and head. Arm and leg injuries often happen when the motorcycle tips and slides. The arms and legs can suffer abrasions, lacerations, and burns. They can also get trapped under the motorcycle, which can bruise tissue and fracture bones.
The likelihood of a head injury depends on whether you wear a motorcycle helmet. If you wear a helmet, your odds of a head injury drop by about 41%.
Common Road Dangers for Motorcyclists in Miami
According to the Florida Traffic Safety Dashboard, the most common road dangers for motorcyclists include:
Intersections
More than half of motorcycle accidents happen at intersections. These accidents often happen when an auto driver fails to yield the right of way to an oncoming motorcycle and turns in front of, or into, the motorcycle.
Lane Changes and Passing
Drivers have a hard time spotting motorcycles. The smaller size of the motorcycle makes it difficult to see. Drivers also lose track of motorcycles in their blind spots. This makes lane changes and passing extremely dangerous for motorcyclists.
Speeding
The top reason for traffic accidents in Florida, according to the Crash Facts Report, is excessive speed. Motorcyclists who speed have a higher likelihood of losing control of their motorcycles. And drivers who speed have less chance of spotting a motorcyclist.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Miami Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Common road dangers for motorcyclists in Miami-Dade County can result in serious accidents. To discuss your motorcycle accident and the compensation you might receive for your injuries, contact Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.