Motorcycle Accident

Riding on a motorcycle is an inherently dangerous activity. But there are more than 600,000 motorcycles registered in Florida, and countless more bikes are brought in by visitors anxious to take advantage of weather that is perfect for year-round riding. If you become one of the almost 8,000 people injured while riding in the Sunshine State, our lawyer, David M. Benenfeld, P.A., gives you experienced and aggressive representation, fighting to obtain the compensation you deserve when injured due to the negligence and reckless conduct of others.

Motorcycle Accident Law Firm Experienced In Litigation

Motorcycle riders are all too aware of how they seem to become invisible to drivers of other vehicles. Truck and automobile drivers frequently claim to have not seen the motorcycle they hit. Part of the reason is the smaller size of motorcycles in relation to other vehicles. But most of the time, the collision occurred because of the careless or reckless conduct of the driver.

Common conditions that put motorcycle riders and their passengers at risk of being injured or killed include:

• Motorists who ignore blind spots by relying only on side-view and rear-view mirrors when changing lanes.
• Cars and trucks that encroach into a lane already occupied by a motorcycle.
• Vehicles that follow too closely behind a motorcycle. Motorcycles do not require the same distance in which to stop as do other vehicles, so a tailgating motorist could hit a rider making a sudden stop.
• Substances on the roadway, such as sand, loose gravel, oil, and debris, may not affect other types of vehicles, but they can cause a motorcycle operator to lose control and crash. Even if they do not crash upon hitting something on the road, motorcycle riders attempting to regain control of their bikes are vulnerable to being struck and injured by vehicles following too closely.
• Drivers who misjudge the speed of an approaching motorcycle and turn into its path.
• Distracted drivers who run through red lights and stop signs or veer into oncoming lanes.
• Motorists driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Impaired judgment and slowed reaction times caused by alcohol or drug impairment pose a risk of causing an accident with a motorcycle.

Motorcycle Operators And Passengers Are Vulnerable To Serious And Catastrophic Injuries

Motorcycles lack the many safety features that are standard equipment on other vehicles. The absence of the steel frame that protects the occupants of trucks and automobiles, exposes riders and passengers on motorcycles to the full impact of a collision with another vehicle. Another key distinction between motorcycles and other vehicles is that almost all crashes usually result in the people riding on the motorcycle being thrown from it.

The differences between motorcycles and other vehicles are the reason riders and their passengers suffer such serious physical injuries, including the following:

• Road rash and lacerations: Motorcycle crashes at highway speeds usually result in riders being dragged or sliding along the ground, causing lacerations and a condition referred to as road rash. The friction of a person’s skin making contact with the ground causes a painful injury that requires immediate medical treatment. Road rash is not a life-threatening condition, but it must be properly treated to avoid serious infections, scarring, and permanent disfigurement.
• Fractured bones: Because there is nothing to protect them, riders of motorcycles are exposed to the full force of collisions with other vehicles and with stationary objects, such as road signs positioned along the road. Fractures, particularly to the arms and legs, are very common in motorcycle accidents.
• Head trauma: Traumatic brain injuries and concussions are common motorcycle accident injuries. This is, again, because the individuals on a motorcycle are exposed to the force of the crash and any secondary impact. For example, a motorcyclist struck by a vehicle and tossed from the bike may suffer a head injury upon striking the ground or other object.A helmet has been proven to help reduce the severity of head injuries in an accident, but Florida does not require riders 21 year of age and older to wear them. Riders carrying medical insurance policies with coverage limits of at least $10,000 can ride without a helmet.

Contact A Dedicated West Palm Beach Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Retaining a West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer from the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A., gives you a trusted advocate, fighting for the compensation you need and deserve to recover from your injuries. Call us now at (954) 677-0155(954) 677-0155, or use the online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation and case evaluation.