Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Daytona, FL
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you should speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer Deltona, FL residents trust at David & Philpot, PL. Going through a motorcycle accident is frightening for many motorists, especially if they suffered moderate to severe injuries. When cars, trucks, and motorcycles all share the road, it may be hard to stay level-headed or alert if you’re traveling hours through congested streets. It’s also not always easy for other drivers to see motorcycles. Other drivers fail to yield correctly, or lack knowledge about driving around motorcycles. If you are a motorcycle rider who has been injured due to the negligence of another driver, you have the right to take legal action and seek compensation. You may be entitled to compensation for the horrible accident you were the victim of. A lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against the driver who hit you and ensure that your legal rights are protected. Don’t hesitate to call our law firm today for a no-obligation consultation about your options. We have your best of interest in mind.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
In 2016, data shows that 600 fatal motorcycle accidents occurred within that year. If you ride a motorcycle you are more vulnerable to accidents. Motorcyclists have less protection than drivers in passenger vehicles, so they are more likely to suffer severe injuries in accidents. The lack of an enclosed barrier and restraints increase the likelihood of a rider getting thrown off their motorcycle and landing on the pavement. Though it’s important for riders to wear protective gear and clothes, they offer limited protection against more severe bodily harm. Here are the most common types of motorcycle accident injuries:
- Head Injuries: Head injuries are the most severe injury a motorcyclist can endure in an accident. These injuries include bleeding, skull fractures and swelling in the brain. Head trauma is more likely to lead to permanent damage, such as brain damage, or death than other injuries. The best way to protect yourself against these injuries is to wear a helmet when you ride a motorcycle.
- Arm Injuries: It is common for motorcyclists to get launched off their motorcycles in the event of an accident. They put their arms in front of their bodies to brace them for a fall. This can result in broken arms, torn rotator cuffs and nerve damage in the arms. Because of the bracing motion motorists tend to make before impact, they are also likely to sustain injuries such as large scrapes and bruises.
- Road Rash: During a motorcycle accident, motorcyclists may slide across the pavement and suffer road rash. This type of injury is common among motorcyclists. Unfortunately, road rash is not just a simple bruise or cut. They can be quite painful and result in scarring. It can lead to skin irritation, infections and even nerve damage. You can minimize the risk of road rash during an accident by wearing protective clothing, like a leather jacket, pants and thick gloves.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: If the spinal cord is injured during a motorcycle accident, it can cause paralysis, which can be permanent. Spinal cord injuries can be prevented by wearing thick layers of clothing with sturdy material.
- Broken Bones: Because motorcyclists do not have much protection from other vehicles, they are more likely to suffer broken bones during accidents. Broken bones are very painful and may take a long time to heal. If a bone is broken in more than one place, surgery may be required.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Regardless of how safe you may be riding your motorcycle, there are always drivers who may drive recklessly around you. At our law firm, we firmly believe in holding offenders responsible for their carelessness. Distractions on the road or lack of traffic law knowledge are no excuse for negligence. You should be aware of your rights if you have been the victim of a serious accident. A Daytone, FL motorcycle accident lawyer can explain that you may be entitled to compensation for damages, losses, and injury. If you or a loved one was recently hit by a car while riding a motorcycle, we urge you to call us right now for assistance. There are several factors that can contribute to accidents, including:
- Inattentive drivers: compared to cars and trucks, motorcycles are much less obvious on the road, making them more difficult to see. Many drivers don’t pay enough attention to their surroundings, resulting in thousands and thousands of people being killed or injured each year. Tiredness and fatigue can cause drivers to become more inattentive. Drivers who suddenly change lanes or fail to signal properly can hit an oncoming motorcycle.
- Distracted drivers: in today’s society most people are on their phone frequently throughout the day. Many people actually spend hours on their smartphones each day, and this may also be when they are behind the wheel. Other reasons why drivers may be distracted are from eating while driving, fidgeting with the radio, playing games on a phone, talking with passengers, and daydreaming.
- Hazards on the road: governments are responsible for maintaining roadways, so that they are in good condition and don’t have hazards such as potholes or loose gravel. Construction workers on the road must put up proper signage and cones so that motorists can easily be redirected around the site.
Safety Tips for Motorcycle Riders
As a motorcyclist, you can follow basic guidelines and practice safe, defensive driving skills to prevent yourself from suffering serious injuries. While you can’t control the actions of other drivers, you can do your part to keep yourself and those around you safe. Your decisions can make a big difference in the severity of an accident. Know and apply these standard tips so you won’t become involved in an accident:
- Keep your eyes on the road. Don’t use your phone and other devices while riding a motorcycle. As a motorcyclist, you don’t have as many safety features so it’s important you observe the road so you can react quickly if sudden hazards appear.
- Obey traffic laws and signs. Follow posted speed limits and use the right arm signals to other drivers.
- Be courteous to other drivers. Don’t submit to road rage and antagonize other drivers, even if they fail to yield to you or cut you off. Though lane splitting is legal in some states, ride at safe speeds since other drivers might not notice you coming.
- Conduct appropriate and periodic maintenance checks to keep your motorcycle in optimal condition. Check for any mechanical issues. Make sure that your engine, oil and brake fluid are okay before heading out on the road.
Why You Should Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit involves many complexities and can be very overwhelming. When you are trying to recover from your injuries, you do not need that extra stress in your life. That is why it is worth it to hire an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Deltona, Florida to take care of your case. He or she will handle all the legwork, so you can focus on your recovery.
A skilled lawyer also knows the true value of your case and will not let the insurance company offer you a settlement that is less than you deserve. When the insurers see that you have a confident lawyer on your side, they will be more likely to take you seriously and negotiate.
Can I Afford Hiring a Lawyer?
Unfortunately, many people don’t realize how affordable a lawyer actually is. A number of law firms work on contingency, where they don’t request money up front, and only get paid through a percentage of your compensation if your case is won. If you were seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident, having a lawyer protect your best interests can make the difference in whether you can overcome what happened to you, both physically and financially. Examples of the types of damages you may be eligible to receive through legal action include:
- Medical bills, such as diagnostics, emergency care, surgery, medications, etc.
- Loss of wages from missing work due to needing to rest at home, attend doctors appointments, undergo surgery or ther treatment.
- Pain and suffering, if the accident caused particularly painful and debilitating injuries.
- Property damage, you could get restitution so that you can fix your motorcycle or replace it with a new one if deemed totalled.
If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, you should schedule a free consultation with a FL motorcycle accident lawyer in Deltona, FL — so call David & Philpot, PL today.
