Florida Motorcycle Accidents: Unique Risks
Motorcycle accident injuries are on the rise in Florida, partially because motorcycles have become increasingly popular, but also because Florida drivers still struggle to safely share the road with bikes. Injured Florida motorcycle accident victims deserve full and fair compensation. Unfortunately, sometimes insurance companies show an unfair bias against motorcyclists. If you have been injured in a Florida motorcycle accident, an experienced Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer can help protect your legal rights.
Motorcycle Accident Data: Unfair blame
When a full sized car and a motorcycle get into an accident, the vast majority of the time, the motorcyclist will sustain the more severe injuries. This is not particularly surprising, as motorcyclists are in a more vulnerable position. But, insurance companies often add insult to injury by trying to unfairly blame the motorcyclist for accident. This is likely due to inaccurate pop culture stereotypes that cast bikers as risky thrill seekers. In reality, government data paints a very different picture. According to a study from the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, when an accident involves a car and a motorcycle, the driver of the car is more often at fault. In fact, the report indicates that the most common cause of multi-car motorcycle accidents is a driver of a full sized car making a negligent lane change.
Injured Motorcyclists Deserve Fair Compensation
Whenever your injury is caused by the negligence of another driver, you are entitled to full and fair compensation. For Florida motorcycles accidents, accident compensation can take many forms, including:
- Medical expenses;
- Rehabilitation expenses;
- Pain and suffering;
- Property damage;
- Lost wages; and
- Punitive damages.
Unfortunately, motorcycle accident injuries can often be catastrophic. Recovering damages is always more complicated when catastrophic injuries are involved. First, it is important that motorcyclists do not get unfairly blamed for their accident. If you are unfairly deemed at fault for your Florida accident, your recovery will likely be reduced, or eliminated altogether. Your motorcycle accident attorney can help investigate your accident, and make a strong case on your behalf. Further, once fault is established, your attorney can help make sure that you are adequately compensated. This is especially important in catastrophic injury cases. The medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses and pain and suffering damages from a catastrophic injury add up quickly. Insurance companies will always try to limit their liability if they believe they can get away with it. Catastrophic injuries can impact your life for a long time, sometimes permanently, and your damages must be fully and fairly valued.
Contact An Experienced Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcyclists deserve respect and consideration from other drivers. At The Pawlowski//Mastrilli Law Group we have extensive experience helping Florida motorcycle accident victims recover full and fair compensation. We understand exactly what injured motorcyclists are up against. If you have been injured in an accident, please contact our Tampa Bay office as soon as possible. Initial legal consultations are free.
