There is plenty of blame to go around for motorcycle accidents. Drivers see motorcyclists speeding and weaving through traffic. At the same time, motorcyclists see drivers cut them off or move into their lane without seeming to notice them.
A study conducted in Florida in 2013 supports the viewpoint of motorcyclists. According to the analysis, about 60% of collisions between automobiles and motorcycles resulted from an error by the automobile driver.
Here are some ways to drive safely for motorcyclists in Miami, FL.
Table of Contents
How Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Accident in Miami
Since its founding in 2007, Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers has helped thousands of clients recover hundreds of millions of dollars in injury compensation. The firm’s accident lawyers have over 100 years of combined legal experience, including extensive trial experience.
Some awards and honors earned by the firm’s injury attorneys include:
- Board certification in trial law by the Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy
- 10.0 Superb rating by Avvo
- Client’s Choice Award from Avvo
- Listing among the country’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the American Trial Lawyers Association
Our experienced Miami motorcycle accident attorneys can help by:
- Apprising you of your legal options at every stage of your case
- Collecting evidence and conducting an investigation to bolster your claim
- Negotiating and handling all communications on your behalf
- Bringing your case before a jury if necessary
Contact or call Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers today at (305) 937-0191 in Miami-Dade County, to discuss your motorcycle accident and the compensation you can seek for the injuries you suffered.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Drivers?
The statistics released by Florida do not address fault in motorcycle accidents. But the state’s 2020 Traffic Crash Facts report lists the most common causes of injuries and fatal accidents. From these statistics, you can learn some of the best ways to drive safely around motorcycles.
Overview: How to Be a Safe Driver for Motorcyclists in Miami
Operating a motorcycle is different from driving a car. Motorcycles require the driver to maintain balance. If anything disturbs the rider’s balance, they can tip over and go into a slide.
This means you can cause a motorcycle crash even if you do not directly collide with a motorcycle. If you cause a motorcyclist to swerve or brake hard, you can contribute to a motorcycle accident.
Motorcycles provide little protection for the rider in an accident. In fact, motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to suffer a fatal injury than motorists.
According to one study, the most common injuries to motorcyclists include upper and lower limb injuries. These injuries include fractured bones, torn ligaments and tendons, burns, and road rash.
The same study found that 31% of helmeted riders and 38% of unhelmeted riders will suffer a head injury in a crash. Head injuries often occur when the rider gets ejected from the motorcycle or strikes their head on the ground or another vehicle during a collision.
When motorists cause a motorcycle crash that kills or injures a rider, the driver bears liability for the resulting damages.
Florida’s no-fault insurance system does not apply to motorcycles. As a result, injured motorcyclists must pursue compensation from the driver who caused their injuries. This compensation could account for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
From the information provided by the 2020 report about the causes of motorcycle accidents, here are a few ways to be a safer driver for motorcyclists in and around Miami.
Watch for Motorcyclists
According to the 2020 report, the most common cause of vehicle accidents is careless driving. Careless driving covers a range of driver behaviors, including improper lookout.
Drivers miss spotting motorcycles for many reasons, such as:
Size
Many drivers rely on their side and rear-view mirrors instead of checking their blind spots before maneuvering. As they change lanes or turn, they may hit a motorcycle sitting in plain sight.
Misjudgment
Most drivers do not ride motorcycles. As a result, they may be unfamiliar with a motorcycle’s capabilities and can misjudge a motorcycle’s speed or maneuverability.
Drivers can also misjudge the distance to a motorcycle. Human eyes judge distance and speed by the size of an object. Drivers have trouble measuring the speed and distance of smaller vehicles like motorcycles.
Cognitive Bias
The brain filters out unimportant data as it collects information. Drivers can miss motorcycles because their brains do not automatically consider motorcycles to be important. Instead, the brain focuses on vehicles, subconsciously dismissing pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists due to their perceived lack of relevance.
Wait Your Turn
According to the 2020 report, one common cause of collisions is a failure to yield the right of way. Two of the most common types of motorcycle accidents happen when drivers try to “beat” a motorcycle as they merge into traffic or turn left across the motorcycle’s path. Waiting your turn will reduce the chance of a collision.
Slow Down
Speeding is a significant factor in many motorcycle accidents. When riders speed, they can have difficulty controlling their motorcycles. When drivers speed, they increase the risk that they will not be able to stop before hitting a motorcycle that they spot at the last second.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Miami Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Even when motorcyclists and drivers exercise caution, collisions still happen. To discuss your motorcycle accident and the injuries you suffered, contact Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. Our Miami motorcycle accident attorneys are standing by to take your call.