Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Sarasota Motorcycle Injury Lawyers – Jodat Law Group

While overall vehicle-related injury rates in Florida have declined in recent years, the number of injuries and fatalities resulting from motorcycle accidents has actually increased substantially. In fact, data from the Florida Department of Transportation show that the number of motorcycle-related deaths has nearly doubled since the early 2000s. In the event of an accident involving you or your loved ones and a motorcycle, the Motorcycle Injury Lawyers at Jodat Law Group are prepared to represent your case and help you get the results you deserve.

Why are motorcycle riders suffering more injuries while car and truck drivers are suffering less? It’s difficult to say for sure, but research suggests that new and improved safety features in passenger vehicles are doing their job to help protect drivers and passengers from many injuries. However, motorcycle riders remain exposed, and when drivers make mistakes or other factors lead to an accident, there is often little that riders can do to protect themselves from serious – and in some cases fatal – injuries.

Who is to Blame for Your Motorcycle Accident?

If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for things like: your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring or disfigurement, and the damage to your bike and riding gear. If you have lost a close family member in a motorcycle crash, you may be entitled to recover for your financial and emotional losses as well.

In any case, the first step towards securing compensation is to hire an attorney who can help determine who is to blame for the accident. In most cases, the answer is one (or more) of the following:

Car or Truck Driver
For motorcycle accidents involving other vehicles, the drivers of those other vehicles may be responsible for the rider’s injuries or death. In this way, motorcycle accidents are no different from car and other multi-vehicle accidents. If an accident is the result of a driver’s negligence or recklessness, that driver can be held financially responsible for the victims’ losses. Motorcycle riders have the same rights and privileges on the road as “cage” drivers, but unfortunately many drivers fail to drive appropriately in the presence of their two-wheeled counterparts.

Vehicle or Part Manufacturer
Another possibility is that a defective part on your bike or on someone else’s car or truck is to blame for causing the accident. In these cases, injured motorcycle riders and their families may have claims against the manufacturers and sellers of the defective part. Some common vehicle defects that can lead to accidents include:

• Accelerators
• Brakes
• Brake lights
• Clutches and transmissions
• Drivetrains
• Engine components
• Suspensions

Keep in mind: Even if your motorcycle was working fine and the defect was in another vehicle that caused the accident, you may still be able to pursue a claim for compensation.

Repair Shop, Maintenance Shop, or Dealership
Sometimes, parts and vehicle components are designed and manufactured appropriately, but then they get damaged or installed improperly by your shop or local dealership. In these cases, we may be able to prove that the maintenance or repair provider’s negligence is to blame for your injuries.

Other Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

In addition to the causes discussed above, there are numerous other possible causes of motorcycle accidents as well. In each case, someone other than the parties listed above may be liable to provide compensation for your losses. As a result, if you have been injured in any type of motorcycle accident, we encourage you to contact us for a complimentary, comprehensive case evaluation. Some of the other potential causes that may entitle you to compensation include:

• An improperly marked or guarded construction zone
• A pedestrian walking out in front of an oncoming motorcycle
• Inadequate street lighting
• Overloaded and improperly loaded truck cargo
• Potholes and other road maintenance issues

Remember, these are just examples. You should never assume that you are not entitled to compensation. When you contact us, we will work quickly to investigate the cause of your accident and determine if you may be entitled to a financial recovery.

You May Be Entitled to Compensation Even if You Were Partially at Fault

In Florida, you may still be entitled to compensation even if you were partially at fault in the accident. Under Florida’s “comparative fault” rule, even if you were primarily responsible for causing the accident, you can still file a claim for compensation.

Contact a Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney at Jodat Law Group Today

The attorneys at Jodat Law Group have decades of experience helping motorcycle riders and other accident victims aggressively pursue claims for just compensation. We are here to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. For more information, or to request your free case evaluation, please contact us today.