As a lifetime resident of Florida and a motorcycle accident attorney in Tampa, FL I have watched the number of registered motorcycles on our Florida roadways swell to more than 637,450 in recent years. Unfortunately, the number of motorcycle accidents in Florida has risen alongside the number of riders. With decades of experience as a motorcycle accident lawyer in Tampa, FL, I have witnessed this troubling trend firsthand.
You may need to retain a Tampa motorcycle accident attorney to assist with your injury. Diaco Law is here to represent you in your motorcycle accident injury claim. Our Tampa motorcycle accident attorneys have years of experience representing motorcyclists who are injured by negligent drivers, and our services are available to you at no upfront cost. Call us today at (813) 221-7978 to schedule your free initial consultation.
Motorcycle Insurance
Florida is distinct because it does not typically require a motorcycle owner to maintain personal injury protection (PIP). While motorcycle insurance isn’t mandatory, please be aware that you will need to demonstrate proof of financial responsibility in the event of an accident.
This can prove problematic because, as I have seen as a motorcycle accident attorney in Tampa, FL, the year-round weather in the Tampa Bay area makes it a favorite place to ride a motorcycle.
Motorcycle Injuries
Most motorcycle accidents occur on routine trips to go shopping, run errands, or meet up with friends according to a well-regarded study. The truth about motorcycle accidents is that they should be expected, and other drivers should precautions should be put in place to prevent serious injury. But not every motorcycle injury can be prevented due to the lack of protection riders have on the open road and the lack of respect other drivers have for motorcyclists.
Too often, local TV news broadcasts feature a story involving an inattentive motor vehicle operator who failed to yield right of way on the road. They typically describe injuries like these:
- Head Injuries: Perhaps the most common motorcycle injury, head injuries include concussions, fractured skulls, and traumatic brain injuries. These injuries are typically caused by riding motorcycles without a helmet, falling from the bike, or getting in a high-speed collision.
- Road Rash: Road rash is a friction wound caused by sliding across asphalt during a motorcycle crash. These skin abrasions can be so severe that skin grafts are required.
- Fractured Bones: It is common for motorcyclists to break their arms, legs, wrists, ribs, or collarbones in a crash, particularly when the rider lands on the limbs or is pinned under his or her motorcycle.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord are some of the most severe injuries produced in motorcycle accidents.
- Internal Injuries: Since motorcycle crashes happen at such high speed, damage to internal organs such as the liver, spleen, or lungs and other injuries such as internal bleeding happens very frequently and is difficult to prevent.
- Biker’s Arm: This is an injury that is peculiar to motorcycle crashes. Biker’s arm is a form of nerve damage that can cause paralysis in the arm.
How Negligent Drivers Cause Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists have enough to think about on the road, and the negligence of other drivers should be added to that list. Here are a few of the most common way that motorists negligently cause motorcycle accidents:
- Left-Turn Accidents: Motorists who turn left at intersections or into driveways often fail to see oncoming motorcyclists or misjudge their speed, leading to potentially deadly crashes.
- Lane Changes: Motorists may change lanes without checking their blind spots and mirrors, which is even more dangerous where motorcyclists are concerned because motorcyclists can be lost in blind spots.
- Failure to Yield: Failing to give the right of way to a motorcyclists can lead to death or other horrific injuries.
- Distracted Driving: Texting, talking, or eating can all contribute to a driver’s failure to see a smaller, less noticeable motorcyclist.
- Driving Under the Influence: A motorist endangers everyone on the road whenever he or she gets behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Poor Weather or Road Conditions: It is a driver’s duty to adjust his or her driving whenever road conditions are poor, and the motorist is responsible for any injuries stemming from his or her failure to do so.
Pursue Compensation
A motorcycle accident will often result in permanent disability and a need for expensive lifelong medical treatment. I am here to act as an advocate for injured Tampa, Florida, motorcycle riders to ensure that you can pursue compensation for the following damages:
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Accrued and future medical expenses
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
Call the Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Diaco Law Today
Motorcycle accidents radically alter the lives of those who are injured in them, and they happen at an alarming rate. If you have been injured in one of these accidents, then you may have severe injuries that could take weeks or months to heal.
Call Diaco Law to schedule your free consultation with our Tampa motorcycle accident attorneys today. We will focus on your case so you can focus on getting your life back to normal.
If you would like further information about a Tampa motorcycle injury claim or any other type of personal injury claim, call Diaco Law at (813) 221-7978, or you can reach the Tampa motorcycle accident attorneys of Diaco Law online.