Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Providing Compassionate Legal Representation to Injured Riders in Miami, Florida
Are you a motorcyclist who has been injured in an auto accident? Motorcycles are not given proper respect by law enforcement, insurance companies, and other drivers. Riders are blamed for accidents that are not their fault, charged higher insurance rates, and not given proper room to operate on dangerous, crowded streets. This is unfortunate, as bikers are involved in a disproportionate amount of traffic accidents, considering the relatively limited numbers of bikes on America’s roads. And the accidents that bikers are involved in tend to result in serious injuries, as cyclists can be thrown into oncoming traffic, roll up into windshields, or dragged under the wheels of the vehicle that struck them.
Some accidents are the fault of the motorcyclist, and this is true. However, a large number of these accidents are the fault of others on the road. Suppose the biker or their legal representative can prove negligence rests on the other party’s shoulders. In that case, the accident victim may be eligible for financial recovery by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Not all lawyers are suited to representing a motorcycle accident case. At Mausner Graham Injury Law, our attorneys are well-versed in state laws relating to personal injury cases, traffic accidents, and liability claims. While no outcomes can be guaranteed in any legal case, our legal team’s experience speaks for itself, with a long track record of success.
Our law offices work on a contingency fee basis. You owe us nothing if we do not win a financial settlement for your case. Additionally, we offer a free initial consultation to prospective new clients. This is a zero-commitment consultation. If you do not feel satisfied with our vision for your case, you are under no obligation to retain our services.
If you were injured in an accident with another motor vehicle, please get in touch with our firm to schedule your free consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer who is prepared to go the extra mile for you and your case.
What Are the Statistics of Motorcycle Accidents in Florida?
In recent years, the number of motorcycle accidents has decreased slightly year after year. However, even while the accident numbers are decreasing, the number of motorcycle accident fatalities is on the rise. Florida has a reputation as being one of the most dangerous states for motorcyclists. Unfortunately, the data does back that up. Florida makes up approximately 10% of the entire country’s fatalities for motorcyclists.
Thankfully, the majority of injuries from motorcycle crashes are non-incapacitating. But motorcyclists are relatively unprotected compared to other parties on the road and can be hurled many yards after a collision. If the rider is not wearing the proper protection, most notably a helmet, they may suffer severe injuries that cannot be easily walked away from. Approximately half of the recorded motorcyclist fatalities were when the rider or passenger was not wearing a helmet.
Interestingly, despite Florida’s high rate of motorcycle accidents and fatalities, drunk driving is ranked lower than one might expect as far as the cause of these accidents. Another 30 states rate higher than Florida for DUI-related motorcyclist deaths.
In Florida, the county that is host to the most motorcycle accidents is Miami-Dade, which our law firm calls home.
What Causes Accidents Involving Motorcycles?
Motorcyclists do have a tendency to speed in and out of traffic, swerving from one lane to the next as they maneuver around traffic. This can result in accidents, injuring both the rider and any potential motorcycle passenger. However, not all motorcycle accidents are caused by motorcyclists. Other drivers in cars, trucks, and buses cause many accidents.
Distracted driving is a common cause of all traffic accidents. Distracted, negligent driving is on the rise in the days of cell phones and personal tech. Many accidents are caused by texting, driving, or speaking on a handheld cell phone. Others are caused by a driver using a dashboard GPS setup, looking away from the road to plan their navigation. When negligent drivers look away from the road, they can strike motorcyclists without ever seeing them.
Faulty equipment and poor maintenance can lead to a bike accident. A defective motorcycle accident claim can be filed against the bike manufacturer if their negligent actions in the making of the bikes led to the release of a dangerous vehicle.
Many motorcycle accident victims report instances of rear-end collisions, where a car loses sight of the bike in front of them at a red light and hits them from behind. This is an especially troubling trend, as some pickup trucks are so big that motorcycles and pedestrians become invisible beyond the hood of the car. Tailgating can also be the cause of a rear-end collision.
Suppose poor road conditions lead to an accident. In that case, the injured motorcycle rider may potentially file a claim against the government party responsible for maintaining the roads and keeping them safe for all motorists.
Head-on collisions, usually resultant of dangerous lane changes or attempts to overtake another vehicle, often result in catastrophic injury for the motorcyclist.
Other common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Collisions with obstacles like lamp posts or barriers
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Drunk driving
- Failure to yield
- Motorcyclists disappearing into a driver’s blind spot
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
In the state of Florida, you typically have a four-year window to file a claim. In wrongful death cases, the claim must be filed within two years of the accident. If the statute of limitations expires before the suit is filed, it may prove to be impossible to secure compensation for injuries and emotional pain.
What Are Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
Even though the driver of a car may walk away unscathed, an injured motorcyclist may suffer terribly from the same accident. These injuries may be life-threatening and require long-term medical treatment in order to relieve their pain and suffering.
Common motorcycle rider injuries include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Cuts and lacerations
- Dental injuries
- Disability
- Dislocated limbs
- Eye injuries
- Facial disfigurement
- Herniated discs
- Hip fractures
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Paralysis
- Road rash.
- Soft tissue injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Traumatic brain injury.
- Wrongful death.
An insurance company may offer a financial settlement for your injuries, but they will attempt to cut costs as much as possible in order to turn a better profit. This may put you on the hook for paying off the bulk of your medical expenses. If you are getting nowhere with your insurance claim, consider working with our attorneys to file a lawsuit seeking economic and non-economic damages.
Contact our firm to schedule a free case evaluation.
Who May Be Held Liable for a Motorcycle Wreck?
There is any number of at-fault parties who could’ve played a hand in the responsibility for your motorcycle accident. If it can be shown that their negligence was directly responsible for the accident, then it may be possible to pursue compensation.
In the instance that the manufacturers of the motorcycle or the other motor vehicle were responsible for defects that caused an accident, our lawyers will attempt to hold them liable under the law.
If another driver’s negligence caused your accident — whether through distracted driving, a DUI, speeding, etc. – you may want to file a personal injury lawsuit against them. It is likely that the driver may not have the funds to pay off the settlement, which means that we may collect from the other driver’s insurance company instead. The other party’s insurance company may prove to be combative, refusing to honor the demands of the settlement. As your legal representatives, we will do what we can to obtain maximum compensation for your case.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help You Recover Compensation for Your Injuries?
With a well-constructed lawsuit, you could recover compensation that can help you live more comfortably without the same concerns for the financial burden that comes with a long-lasting injury.
You could recover economic damages such as:
- Ambulance bills
- Disability
- Inability to work, causing future lost income
- Lost benefits
- Lost wages
- Medical expense
- Physical therapy expenses
- Property damage
- Psychological therapy for mental distress
Non-economic damages could include:
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Lost companionship or consortium
- Mental anguish
- Wrongful death
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
Suppose you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by other at-fault parties. In that case, you should seek out legal professionals to speak about the possibility of taking legal action. You did not deserve your injury, and you should not be responsible for the extraordinary costs necessary to pay for your recovery. In a just world, the responsible parties and their insurers would be the only ones who need to pay a dime for your injuries. We cannot promise such a scenario, but we can provide you with legal representation capable of delivering a satisfying outcome for you and your case.
You do not need to accept the insurance company’s offer simply because they look down on motorcyclists and think you deserve nothing better. Work with our firm, and we will examine all potential avenues for recovering a suitable settlement for your suffering.
Remember, our firm works on a contingency fee basis, so our services cost you nothing if we cannot successfully make a financial recovery for you with your claim. Additionally, we offer a free, no-obligation case review for new clients. In our introductory consultation, we will talk to you about your case and lay out your legal options as we explain how we will pursue your goals if you retain our counsel.
Our firm represents injured accident victims in a number of areas under the law beyond motorcycle accidents. We are based in Miami-Dade County but have also served clients all across the Sunshine State in personal injury cases. Our track record of success speaks for itself, and we would be proud to represent you as our next client.
To schedule your free initial consultation with a member of our accomplished legal team, please call our Miami-Dade County law office at 305-344-4878.
Last updated Thursday, November 9th, 2023