Florida Motorcycle Accidents that Involve Stationary Objects
March 7, 2016
As any motorcycle rider knows, fixed objects in the roadway present a constant danger to motorcyclists, far greater than to other motorists. According to the Hurt Report published by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), approximately 25% of Florida motorcycle accidents involved in the study were single-vehicle collisions in which the motorcycle crashed into the roadway or a stationary object in the environment. In these situations, Jodat Law Group, the Florida motorcycle accident attorney can help.
Stationary objects can be as dangerous to motorcyclists as other vehicles on the road. Motorcycle collisions can occur with virtually any fixed object on the road or in the environment, including:
- Guardrails
- Concrete barriers
- Cable barriers
- Cones
- Construction signs
- Light poles
- Telephone poles
- Walls
- Buildings
Injuries Caused by Florida Motorcycle Accidents with Stationary Objects
When a motorcycle traveling at a sufficient speed collides with a fixed object, the rider is usually ejected and thrown from the motorcycle or rebounds off the stationary object. This can cause serious or life-threatening injuries to the rider, including:
- Head trauma
- Traumatic brain injury
- Concussion
- Facial disfigurement
- Compacted spine
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Upper extremity injuries
- Lower extremity injuries
- Amputations
- Fractures
- Thorax injuries
- Severe lacerations
As reported in a study published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, motorcycle-barrier collisions are much more severe than accidents in which other vehicles collide with barriers. The study involved 546 guardrail collisions, 358 concrete barrier collisions, and 47 cable barrier collisions. Of the victims involved in the guardrail and cable barrier collisions, more than 40% were severely or fatally injured.
In the state of Florida, riders 21 and older are not required to wear helmets or other protective gear. Although not required by law, wearing a helmet can make a significant difference in the severity of the injuries suffered in a Florida motorcycle crash with a fixed object.
Responsible Parties in Motorcycle Accidents Involving Fixed Objects
If a fixed object in the roadway has resulted in a crash, an experienced Florida motorcycle accident attorney can help you determine the liable parties so you can seek compensation from those parties. The stationary object that led to your accident may be the property of a municipality, county, or state.
Government entities have teams of lawyers to defend against personal injury claims brought by injured victims. They will be well-prepared to present arguments that their client should not be forced to pay compensation. You need a skilled and dedicated Florida motorcycle accident attorney to help you to level the playing field.
Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle crash with a stationary object, you may be entitled to file a claim for compensation for your injuries. Damages you may be entitled to claim include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Our Florida motorcycle accident attorney with Jodat Law Group have decades of experience helping injured motorcycle riders and other accident victims pursue full compensation. Contact one of our offices in Bradenton, Sarasota, Tampa or Venice today for a free case consultation. We are here to protect your rights, and help you fight for the compensation you deserve.