Motorcycle Accidents
Miami Motorcycle Accident Lawyers That Provide Strong Post-Accident Support
No matter how cautious, alert and defensive a motorcyclist you are, there’s no way to predict how other nearby drivers may act at any given time. You can’t control another person’s driving behavior.
Distracted drivers, drunk drivers and others who are negligent can turn your motorcycle ride from enjoyable or uneventful into disaster in an instant.
If that happens, motorcycle lawyers like the experts at Kirshner, Groff & Diaz will be there with you to offer you complete and total support, care and rock-solid representation.
If you suffer injury in a collision another driver caused, there are several ways a motorcycle lawyer can be of assistance, as shown in the following list:
- An experienced attorney knows how to protect your rights, especially if an insurance agency tries to deny your claim. The last thing you’d feel like doing as you try to recover from your injuries would be to spend hours on the phone trying to convince an insurance agent that you’re injuries were a result of the accident in question.
- If you suffer severe injuries and other damages, a lawyer can help you activate a process for seeking financial recovery for your losses. Why should you bear the full financial burden of medical bills and other accident-related expenses when another person’s negligence caused the crash?
- An attorney can help identify fault and gather evidence that proves another driver’s negligence. If you file an injury claim, you are tasked with providing evidence in court to show that the defendant was negligent and that his or her negligence was a direct cause of your injuries.
Our legal support team understands how traumatizing a motorcycle collision can be. Surviving the blunt force trauma of a crash doesn’t guarantee you’ll have a swift or even a full recovery.
In fact, severe injuries can leave you with life-long disabilities that may impede your ability to return to work, as well as affect your ability to function independently in the course of your daily life.
Safety First, Followed By Strong Support If you Need It
You love to ride. Safety is your top priority and you take precautions to avoid an accident. You check your bike to make sure tires are properly inflated with good treads and also make sure your brake lights and signals are functioning before heading out onto the road.
If it’s raining, you know the roads might be slippery.
When all is said and done, no matter how safe you are, another person’s negligence or reckless behavior at the wheel can land you in the back of an ambulance and may change your life forever if you suffer brain trauma or other severe injuries.
We’re ready to help you get the care you need, as well as the maximum compensation for damages to which you may be entitled.
Hopping on your bike and heading out onto an open road on a bright, sunny day is no doubt at the top of your list for favorite activities. As with most outdoor hobbies, there are a few downsides to riding a motorcycle.
Motorcycle accidents occur often, many of which result in fatalities or serious injury.
Whether you’re a recreational motorcyclist or ride your bike as a commuter to and from work every day, there’s always an inherent risk involved. No matter if you’re on a motorcycle or in a car, however, you can reasonably expect all other motorists with whom you’re sharing the road to adhere to traffic laws and safety regulations.
You’re not responsible for other people’s driving habits, but another driver’s actions can impede your ability to arrive safely to your destination.
Miami Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Few things in life are as exhilarating as riding a motorcycle. The joy of hopping on your machine and hitting the open road is undeniable. However, thanks to other motor vehicles, danger could be lurking around the next bend or at the next intersection.
No matter how safety conscious you are, you can’t control the actions of other drivers. At any moment, a distracted, negligent or drunk driver could collide with you and change your life forever. If that happens, the motorcycle accident attorneys at Kirshner, Groff & Diaz will stand by your side and provide you the support, care and legal advice you need. Your case is personal to you, so it’s personal to us.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Did you know that Florida leads the nation in motorcycle accident fatalities? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,014 motorcyclists died across the United States in 2019. Of those, 591 died in the Sunshine State, making it the deadliest state in the country for motorcyclists. 51% of the state’s motorcycle fatalities were not wearing a helmet at the time of their accident.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including mistakes by motorcycle riders. However, most collisions are caused by the negligent actions of other drivers on the road. Here are some of the most common motorcycle crash scenarios to look out for:
Cars Turning Left
This type of scenario accounts for up to 42% of all motorcycle accidents. It happens when a driver fails to see your motorcycle approaching, or misjudges your speed, and turns left in front of you.
Cars Changing Lanes
Many motorcycles are hit when a driver suddenly veers into a biker’s lane. This can happen because your motorcycle was in the driver’s blind spot or because the driver simply wasn’t paying attention to the road and hit you.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions happen when a driver behind your motorcycle fails to notice that you have slowed down or stopped and smashes into the back of your bike.
Distracted Driving
Drivers who aren’t paying attention to the road are a risk to everyone around them, including motorcyclists like you. Common driver distractions include smartphones, in-vehicle GPS and infotainment systems, eating and drinking, noisy passengers and pets.
Speeding and Alcohol Use
Drivers who go over the speed limit or use alcohol are more likely to cause motorcycle accidents than drivers who obey speed limits and don’t drink and drive.
Most of the accidents above involve negligent drivers who fail to see motorcyclists. If you are injured in an accident caused by another driver, contact Miami motorcycle attorneys as soon as possible.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
All motor vehicle accidents have the potential to cause serious injuries, but motorcycle accidents are particularly hazardous because bikes are smaller, lighter and offer less protection than cars and trucks. If a motor vehicle collides with your motorcycle, your body will likely bear the brunt of the impact. In fact, government statistics show that motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in a crash than the occupants of other motor vehicles.
According to the NHTSA, over 84,000 motorcyclists were injured in collisions nationwide in 2019. Some of the most common injuries suffered in motorcycle accidents include:
Head Injuries
During a motorcycle accident, you could suffer a serious head injury, such as a concussion, fractured skull or traumatic brain injury. These types of injuries can range from mild to severe, and they sometimes result in permanent disabilities.
Road Rash
Road rash can occur when you are thrown from your bike and slide across the pavement. While protective clothing can greatly reduce the severity of this type of injury, areas of exposed skin can suffer deep abrasions, potentially causing muscle and nerve damage.
Broken Bones
It’s very common to suffer broken bones in a motorcycle accident. Leg, foot and ankle fractures often occur when a vehicle strikes your motorcycle from the side, and arm, hand and wrist fractures frequently occur when you are thrown to the pavement.
Neck and Back Injuries
A motorcycle crash could cause damage to your neck and back. Examples of neck and back injuries include fractures, spinal cord damage, muscle pulls and soft tissue damage.
While many injuries are obvious in the immediate aftermath of a crash, some injuries don’t make themselves known for several hours, days or even weeks. If you are experiencing pain following a motorcycle or scooter wreck/accident, contact Kirshner, Groff & Diaz, a law firm for bikers in Florida. We can help you see a doctor or specialist right away.
What To Do if You’re in a Motorcycle Accident
Here are a few important tips for managing the aftermath of a motorcycle accident:
Stay Calm
It’s stressful and confusing to be in a crash, but keeping a level head will help you assess the scene and get the help you need.
Stay at the Scene
Under Florida law, you are required to remain at the scene of any crash involving property damage, injuries or death. Stay put, and wait for help.
Check for Injuries
Check yourself and others for injuries. Avoid removing your protective gear until you’ve been assessed by paramedics.
Make the Scene Safe
Once everyone involved in the crash has been assessed for injuries, make the scene safe by turning off engines and turning on hazard lights.
Call 911
Depending on the severity of the accident, the police, the fire department and paramedics may attend the scene.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you believe you are e uninjured, make sure you get checked over by medical personnel at the scene. Shock and adrenaline could prevent you from feeling some injuries immediately after the crash.
Exchange Contact Information With Other Drivers
Get contact and insurance details from the other drivers involved in the crash. Do not discuss the cause of the crash or admit guilt.
Document the Scene
If possible, take photos of the crash scene from multiple angles. You should also write down everything you can remember about the events leading up to the crash and get a copy of the police report. These actions can help with your insurance claim.
Get the Help of Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Motorcycle accidents are traumatizing and can change your life forever. One mistake by another driver could leave you severely injured and unable to work. However, you don’t have to face this situation on your own. Experienced Miami motorcycle attorneys can stand by your side and fight for your rights.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help Me?
Unfortunately, many insurance companies try to deny your claim or offer you a low settlement amount. If you accept a settlement offer without getting legal advice, you could leave a lot of money on the table, money you may need to support yourself and your family.
You shouldn’t have to fight for your financial future from your hospital bed.
A motorcycle accident lawyer could investigate your crash and gather evidence proving that another driver was responsible for your injuries. Legal counsel could then use this evidence to negotiate with the insurance company and push for the full settlement amount you deserve, including damages for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
At Kirshner, Groff & Diaz, we don’t pass you off to a paralegal or an assistant. Instead, we give you the personal cell phone number of a partner at the firm, which you can use any time of the day or night.
We can also help you see a doctor or specialist within an hour, 24 hours a day.
We’ve been helping motorcycle accident victims for decades, and we understand the difficulties you’re currently going through. We’re here to help. Give us a call and request a no-cost evaluation of your case.
