Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents have the potential to cause severe and catastrophic injuries. Even a minor traffic collision can cause severe injuries to motorcyclists and their passengers due to the lack of protective structures 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 know that they have rights and may be entitled to compensation. 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 investigate the accident scene, interview police, witnesses, and involved parties to achieve justice for motorcycle riders injured in crashes. 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 9,405 motorcycle crashes on Florida’s roadways in 2024. A total of 573 motorcyclists lost their lives and another 8,096 sustained injuries. Many motorcycle accidents in Florida result from 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, motorcycle riders often suffer various other types of traumatic injuries in accidents. If you have experienced the following types of injuries, a The Villages motorcycle accident lawyer can inform you of your legal rights.

• Bone Fractures: Broken bones are frequent injuries in motorcycle accidents. Attempting to brace yourself during a crash can easily result in a broken ankle or wrist, and often, riders suffer multiple fractures in their feet, hands, arms, and legs. Rib, collarbone, and other fractures are also common.
• Eye, Ear, and Nose Injuries: Injuries to the eyes, ears, and nose caused by motorcycle accidents can result in permanent disabilities and limitations. Riders who wear helmets are less likely to experience such damage, but even those with full-face helmets can still sustain head and facial injuries.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: When a rider falls at speed, the forces involved are sufficient to cause serious soft tissue injuries. Surgery often repairs torn muscles, ligaments, or tendons, and tears may associate with bone fractures and other injuries.
• Road Rash: Severe road rash often occurs in motorcycle accidents, even with full protective gear. The recovery process can be lengthy and painful, and invasive treatments may be required.
• 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 lead to severe spinal cord injuries. Some riders may recover full mobility, but paralysis is a significant risk from spinal cord injuries in crashes.

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 the applicable laws. At Whittel & Melton, 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 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, motorcyclists may move across lane lines to pass other vehicles or merge with traffic like drivers.
• Lane Occupancy: Motorcyclists have the same right as drivers to occupy their lane fully. 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.