Articles Posted in Motorcycle Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that nearly 40% of car accidents occur at intersections. Many of these accidents transpired when a motorist was attempting to make a left-hand turn. Florida accidents, such as ones that occur when a person is making a left-hand turn at an intersection, can result in serious injuries to drivers, passengers, and bystanders.

Most Florida roadways have two lanes of travel; as such, most intersections have four lanes meeting in the middle. These intersections can be perilous because drivers need to be aware of traffic coming from several different directions. The NHTSA findings revealed that the majority of intersection accidents occur because of driver error. The top forms of driver error were failure to observe the intersection, incorrect assumptions about other motorists, continuing through an intersection with an obstructed view, illegal traffic maneuvers, distraction, and improper judgment. Many of these accidents occurred when a motorist was making a left turn.

There are many reasons why a left-hand turn is hazardous. The main reason is that drivers turning left often have to cross a complete lane of traffic after waiting for traffic from both directions. This driving maneuver requires quick thinking and swift movement. However, quick judgment is not always the safest, and those making a left-hand turn may not notice all of the vehicles and pedestrians approaching. Further, many people making left-hand turns mistakenly assume that an approaching motorist will yield to them. This mistake often results when an approaching car inadvertently leaves its blinker on or when the driver seems to be slowing down.

Motorcycle mishaps can result in severe injuries. If you sustained an injury in a motorcycle crash, you should not delay in calling a trusted Miami motorcycle accident attorney who understands this area of law. Our highly capable Miami motorcycle collision lawyers are committed to protecting your rights at each and every stage of the case.

A couple from Weston was recently killed in a motorcycle accident after a tire blew out on US 27. According to a friend who had been to dinner with them on the night of the tragic accident, the couple “just completed each other.” The man, 55, and woman, 57, had been together for over 10 years. Information from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) reveals that the motorcycle’s tire blew out around 9:45 p.m. last week. When this happened, the rider lost control of the motorcycle and both he and the passenger were thrown from the vehicle and stuck by at least three other automobiles. FHP is still investigating the crash.

Sadly, motorcycle accidents in Florida are not a rare occurrence. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s published data, 586 people died in motorcycle accidents and related injuries in Florida in 2016. About 555 were rider fatalities and approximately 78 percent of accidents involved a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01 percent or higher.

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Motorcycle accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries and, in the most serious cases, death. If you have sustained an injury in a motorcycle crash, you could potentially recover damages for your harm. Our Miami motorcycle accident attorneys can value your claim and help you get the maximum compensation possible in your case. We know the uphill battle that injured motorcycle riders face when trying to hold negligent parties responsible for their conduct.

Earlier this month, a 40-year-old Florida fire chief was killed in an accident while returning home from a public meeting. The man was going to his house on his motorcycle when he collided with an SUV. Reports by law enforcement indicate the man was riding his motorcycle through an intersection when an SUV made a left turn in front of him, causing him to crash into the side of the vehicle. He was rushed to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The accident took place around 8pm. The driver and passenger of the SUV were not injured in the collision.

Motorcycle accidents can be particularly dangerous to riders since they do not have the structural protection of a vehicle that occupants of a car or truck have. Motorcyclists in Florida have the same rights and responsibilities on the road as any other driver. Sadly, however, they are often ignored, overlooked or disregarded by other motorists on the road. If you are the victim of a motorcycle accident, you can likely recover compensation through a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. In order to win such a lawsuit, you have to show that the other motorist was negligent. Negligence occurs when a motorist fails to use reasonable care behind the wheel, thus, causing an accident and resulting bodily injury and/or property damage. Reasonable care refers to the level of care that an ordinarily prudent motorist would have used in the same situation. Some common examples of motorist negligence include speeding, making unsafe lane changes, tailgating, texting and driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and/or aggressive driving.

Since motorcycle riders do not have a steel cage protecting them the way car drivers do, these riders are far more susceptible to serious injury, even death. If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in a motorcycle crash, you need to consult a seasoned Miami motorcycle accident attorney who can assist. We will meticulously analyze your case and come up with a legal strategy accordingly.

A 74-year-old driver allegedly struck and killed a 19-year-old motorcyclist earlier this month on State Road 54, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The accident took place at an intersection where the driver turned into the motorcyclist’s path causing a devastating collision in which the motorcycle crashed into the right side of the vehicle. The teenage motorcycle rider was pronounced dead at the scene.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

The United States Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to experience a fatal crash on the road than individuals in passenger cars. Sadly, Florida leads the country in the number of fatal motorcycle accidents every year. In fact, motorcyclists accounted for almost one in five (an estimated 19 percent) of all the motor vehicle fatalities in the state.

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Due to the lack of structural protection that a car offers, motorcycle riders are much more susceptible to serious injuries and death in the event of an accident. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, you need to reach out to a seasoned Miami motorcycle accident attorney who can help. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we are committed to providing aggressive legal counsel throughout the entire legal process.A Florida man recently died after his motorcycle went off Route 302 and hit a utility pole and a rock as he attempted to regain control and get back on the road. The victim, 69, was riding in the evening with his son and grandson on other motorcycles when the accident took place. Once he struck the utility pole and the rock, police said he was ejected from the motorcycle and died on the spot. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. While the accident is still under investigation, police do not believe that speed or alcohol played a role in the crash.

Florida has the second-highest number of registered motorcyclists of all U.S. states. Sadly, Florida also leads the country in the number of motorcycle accident deaths per year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists account for almost one in five of all of the motor vehicle fatalities in Florida (an estimated 19 percent). To put this into perspective, motorcyclists comprise approximately only 7 percent of all licensed motorists and drivers licensed in Florida.

When a driver fails to operate their motor vehicle in a reasonably safe manner, they may be deemed negligent. In Florida, negligence occurs when a person fails to exercise the degree of reasonable care expected of someone in order to minimize the risk of harm to another person. In order to prove negligence, you must establish the following elements by a preponderance of the evidence:  i) the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care; ii) the defendant breached the duty of care owed to the plaintiff; and iii) the defendant’s breach was a direct and proximate cause of the motorcycle accident and the resulting harm.

Since motorcycles don’t offer the type of protection that other vehicles do, motorcycle accidents tend to result in a disproportionately high number of fatalities. In Florida, motorcycle riding is particularly popular due to the state’s weather and landscape. However, the higher number of motorcyclists on the road also means increased chances for motorcycle accidents. Miami motorcycle accident lawyer, Robert Dixon, fights aggressively to represent motorcycle accident victims and their families throughout the state.

Basic Motorcycle Accident Statistics

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that in 2010:

• Motorcyclists and their passengers comprised 16 percent of the total number of traffic fatalities
• 3 percent of all traffic accidents in the state involved motorcycles
• The death rate was 11 percent higher among motorcyclists who were not wearing safety helmets
• Motorcycle accidents declined significantly after 2008 when Florida passed a law requiring motorcyclists to enroll in and complete a State basic rider’s course

Just as any other motor vehicle accident, motorcycle accidents can be caused by a number of factors. One common cause is poor weather conditions such as rain, hail or sleet, which can lead to the motorcycle slipping out of control. In other cases, visual obstructions can lead to car drivers failing to see motorcyclists. Alternatively, visual obstructions can lead to motorcyclists losing control. Lastly, road conditions such as potholes, uneven streets, oil slicks and other hazards can present dangers to motorcyclists. Continue Reading ›