Motorcycle Accidents Attorneys
in Lake County, Florida
Helping Motorcycle Crash Victims Recover Compensation
Motorcycle riders are often vulnerable to the most serious injuries on the road. Even when wearing a helmet, victims often suffer permanent and sometimes fatal injuries. If you or someone you love has been involved in a motorcycle accident, you can take action to protect your rights and preserve your claims.
At Oldham & Smith, we offer experienced advocacy and sound counsel to the victims and families of motorcycle accidents.
Call us for a free consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.
Florida Leads the Country in Motorcycle Accidents & Deaths
A study showed that in 2015 there were 606 motorcycle-related deaths in Florida alone. That study showed that almost one in every five vehicle deaths in Florida were motorcyclists, even though they only make up 3% of the registered vehicles in the state. That number increased by almost 30% in just one year and continues to climb.
Increased Events = Increased Accidents
One of the reasons for this rise is the huge events held in Daytona Beach every year. Spring Break and Bike Week bring in thousands of motorcyclists from all over the state and every part of the country. All of these motorcyclists congregate in Daytona and have to share the road with thousands of other vehicles also trying to attend the events.
Combined with the fact that drunk driving is more rampant during these festivals, the variables for a very dangerous equation are set into motion. If you decide to attend one of these events, you must be aware of your surroundings at all times and make sure you are doing everything to keep yourself and other bikers safe to avoid tragedy.
Accidents on Harley Davidson Motorcycles
At events like Bike Week, Harley Davidson motorcycles – and cruisers in general – are incredibly popular and you will see hundreds of them in the area. Because of the different riding styles and postures on Harleys, different types of collisions and injuries can occur compared to sports bikes. The risk of death can be higher in certain situations.
In addition, because of their popularity during Bike Week, there is also an increased chance of these kinds of bikes getting into accidents since so many of them share the road at once.
If the worst happens and a loved one is killed in a negligent accident, the family and any financial dependents are protected and owed recompense for their loss under the Florida Wrongful Death Act. Our team has extensive experience handling wrongful death cases and will work tirelessly to ensure that you and your family are compensated for the loss of your loved one.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Even when the state of Florida isn’t celebrating motorcycle-based events, motorcyclists are still 27 times more likely to die in a crash. Drivers may have trouble seeing motorcyclists, or simply fail to share the road.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
Inexperienced drivers
Speeding
Driving under the influence
Sudden stops
Left turns
Intersection accidents
Failure to yield
Disregard traffic signals
Dangerous road conditions
Defective motorcycles or motorcycle parts
Lane splitting or riding in between lanes of traffic
Unsafe lane changes and drivers failing to check their blind spots
If you are harmed by any of these negligent behaviors, our Lake County motorcycle accident lawyers are here for you
What Kind of Damages You Can Recover
A successful personal injury lawsuit can help you recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Also known as compensatory damages, these damages account for actual expenses, like:
Medical bills
Missed wages
And less tangible losses, like:
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
In some cases, you can also ask for punitive damages. These damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer, prevent similar accidents from happening in the future, and provide you with additional financial comfort.
To find out how much your claim is worth, schedule your free consultation with Oldham & Smith by contacting us online or calling us today.
Motorcycle Laws in Florida
In Florida, all motorcyclists must be properly licensed. You can add a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license or hold a ‘Motorcycle Only’ license. Operating a motorcycle without an endorsement is illegal.
Further, no one under the age of 16 may legally operate a motorcycle, and all motorcyclists must wear both protective headgear and a device to protect their eyes. Although there are some exceptions to this rule (i.e. if you have up to $10,000 in medical insurance), every rider under 16 must wear a helmet and sunglasses.
For more information about Florida motorcycle laws, see §316.211 of The 2019 Florida Statutes and/or contact our attorneys for clarification.
