Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents have the potential to cause serious and catastrophic injuries. Even the most minor of traffic collisions can deliver devastating blows to motorcyclists and their passengers due to the lack of a safety structure surrounding them. Injuries can range in severity from road rash to broken bones, spinal injuries, neck injuries, loss of limbs and death. However, motorcycle crash victims in The Villages, Florida should understand that they have rights and may be entitled to damages. A meeting with The Villages motorcycle accident lawyer at Whittel and Melton can provide the answers you need.

Our attorneys work diligently to secure just compensation for motorcycle accident victims. We thoroughly investigate the scene of the accident, speak to police and witnesses as well as anyone who may have been involved in the crash, and fight to obtain justice for our clients. Contact an experienced The Villages motorcycle accident lawyer today for a free consultation.

Florida Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 7,484 total motorcycle crashes on Florida’s roadways in 2010. A total of 350 motorcyclists were killed and another 6,686 suffered injuries. In addition to these numbers, 33 Florida motorcycle passengers died in motorcycle collisions in 2010 and another 725 were injured.

Many Florida motorcycle accidents are simply caused by driver negligence or inattention. The most common causes of motorcycle accidents are due to:

• Speeding
• Failure to Yield
• Driver Fatigue
• Running Stop Sign
• Running a Traffic Light
• Rolling through an Intersection
• Merging or Changing Lanes without Proper Signal

Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

In addition to neurological injuries, various other types of traumatic injuries are common in motorcycle accidents as well. If you have suffered any of the following types of injuries, a The Villages motorcycle accident lawyer can advise you of your legal rights:

• Bone Fractures – Broken bones are common injuries in motorcycle accidents. Attempting to brace yourself during a crash can easily result in a broken ankle or broken wrist, and in many cases riders will suffer multiple fractures in the feet, hands, arms, and legs. Rib, collar bone, and other fractures are common as well.
• Eye, Ear and Nose Injuries – Eye, ear and nose injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents can lead to permanent disabilities and limitations. Riders who wear helmets are less likely to suffer this type of damage, but even those who wear full-face helmets can still suffer head and face injuries.
• Soft Tissue Injuries – When a rider goes down while traveling at speed, the forces involved are more than enough to cause severe soft tissue injuries. In many cases, surgery will be necessary to repair a torn muscle, ligament or tendon, and tears are often accompanied by bone fractures and other injuries.
• Road Rash – Severe road rash is a common injury in motorcycle accidents, and even riders who are wearing full riding gear can suffer road rash in the event of a crash. The recovery process can be long and painful, and invasive treatment may be necessary.
• Organ Damage – Hitting the ground or colliding with a vehicle or other object can damage a rider’s internal organs. Depending on the severity of the damage, emergency surgery or other emergency medical intervention may be necessary.
• Spinal Cord Injuries – Motorcycle accidents can result in debilitating spinal cord injuries. While some riders will be able to recover and regain full mobility, paralysis is a very real possibility for riders who suffer spinal cord injuries when they go down.

The Villages Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Our Firm Identifies Florida’s Motorcycle Laws

When pursuing a claim for financial compensation after a motorcycle accident, it is important to have a clear understanding of all of the laws that apply. At Whittel & Melton, LLC, we are intimately familiar with Florida’s motorcycle laws, and a The Villages motorcycle accident lawyer routinely represents riders in claims for just compensation. If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, here are some of the laws that could play a role in determining the outcome of your case:

• Motorcycle Helmets – In Florida, riders over the age of 21 are not legally required to wear a motorcycle helmet if they have insurance coverage that provides at least $10,000 in medical benefits.
• Lane Splitting – Lane splitting is not legal in Florida. However, just like drivers, motorcyclists may move across lane lines to pass other vehicles or merge with traffic.
• Lane Occupancy – Motorcyclists have the same right as drivers to fully occupy their lane. Motorcyclists also generally have the same rights and privileges as all other motorists on Florida’s roads.

Since insurance companies are out to make money, they often underestimate the costs associated with collision injuries and try to intimidate and confuse injured parties to settle a claim quickly. At Whittel & Melton, The Villages motorcycle accident lawyer at our firm can protect your best interests by fighting for nothing less than past, present and future medical costs, lost wages and pain and suffering.

The Villages Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Whittel and Melton is the Attorney You Need

If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, you deserve to be rightfully compensated. Our attorneys work closely with experts and investigators to reconstruct an accident site, uncover driver error, interview eyewitnesses and obtain any road or vehicle evidence. If you or someone you love was seriously injured or killed in a motorcycle accident in The Villages or in Lake, Marion or Sumter County, contact us online or call 352-369-5334 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.