Many Marion County residents revel in the rush of excitement and the thrill of the open road that riding a motorcycle can provide. However, not everyone is so enchanted by motorcycles and their riders, and motorists sometimes forget that they share the road with their two-wheel counterparts.
If you or a loved one were involved in a motorcycle accident, you should get in touch with a Marion County motorcycle accident lawyer. Call an experienced attorney today to get started on your claim.
Because motorcyclists often travel from different areas of the state or country to Marion County, an accident can happen in a variety of ways. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include speeding, hit-and-run, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, and cars making left-hand turns in front of a motorcyclist.
Injuries from motorcycle accidents can be as complex as the accident itself. Depending on the circumstances, they may involve comparatively minor conditions like road rash, fractures, and broken bones, or they could result in catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, permanent disabilities, and even death.
Florida Statutes Chapter 316 gives motorcyclists the same rights as any driver of any other motor vehicle, but it also lists regulations that motorcyclists must abide by while operating their bikes. All motorcycle riders in Marion County must wear helmets and eye protection, and their bikes must have functioning headlights, turn signals, brakes, and mirrors, as well as an appropriate handlebar height. In addition, bikers are prohibited by law from lane-splitting and must have sufficient insurance coverage as dictated by the terms of the state statute.
Florida law states that a person in Marion County cannot operate a motorcycle without a helmet. However, if a rider is over the age of 21 and covered by an insurance policy with at least $10,000 of medical benefits for injuries resulting from a motorcycle crash, they are not required by law to wear a helmet.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that most motorcycle fatalities could have been prevented if the deceased rider or passenger wore a helmet. Helmets saved an estimated 1,772 lives in 2015, but if all motorcyclists wore helmets, 740 more could have been saved. In total, helmets reduce the risk of death by an estimated 37 percent and the risk of head injury by approximately 69 percent.
Determining who is at fault for a motorcycle accident generally comes down to identifying the negligent party. Because Florida is a comparative fault state, a plaintiff’s potential damage award may be affected by their own level of fault for the accident. In light of that, a Marion County motorcycle accident attorney could seek to prove sole negligence on the part of the other party on a plaintiff’s behalf, as it is likely that the opposing party’s legal team will try to do the same in reverse.
Each motorcycle accident is unique, which means each motorcycle accident civil case may produce a different set of damages. The victim of a motorcycle crash may be able to demand compensation for, among other damages:
If the behavior of the party responsible for a motorcycle accident was particularly egregious, the court may levy punitive damages as well. These are damages awarded when the court finds that the defendant acted willfully or with wanton disregard for the safety of others, and they are intended specifically to punish the defendant.
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Florida allows you four years from the date of your motorcycle accident to file a personal injury claim. Since time may be of the essence in this way, it could be critical that you contact Marion County motorcycle accident lawyer today and have your claim filed in a timely manner.
Motorcycle accidents can result in loss of wages, overwhelming medical expenses, and time away from friends and family. Allow a dedicated attorney at Glover Law Firm to work on your behalf to alleviate these frustrations.
Not in Marion County? Contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Leesburg, motorcycle accident lawyer in The Villages, or a motorcycle accident lawyer in Ocala.