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Sep
2018

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Miami

on  Motorcycle Accidents

Florida’s year-round sunshine means that people ride motorcycles far more often than in other states where rainy or snowy seasons keep people off their bikes. When there are more motorcycles on the road, there are bound to be a greater number of motorcycle accidents each year. Many of these accidents happen in the same common ways, which Miami motorcycle accident lawyer Prosper Shaked will explain. If you or a loved one was hurt in a motorcycle crash, contact Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA today for a free consultation on your case.

How Do Most Motorcycle Accidents Happen in Florida?

Many of the common causes of motorcycle crashes are also the same causes of car accidents. There are common situations in which drivers of any vehicle make serious errors in judgment that cause injuries for other drivers. However, there are also certain situations that specifically affect motorcycle riders more often than car or truck drivers. Our motorcycle accident lawyer explains these common scenarios that lead to motorcycle accidents in Florida:

Lane-Splitting

This is a common cause of motorcycle accidents unique to motorcycles and mopeds. “Lane-splitting” refers to driving between lanes of traffic, so that instead of driving between the lines, you drive on or near the line to pass other vehicles in the lane. Motor vehicles have the right to their entire lane, from line to line, and driving in the space between other cars is illegal in Florida. In fact, all states except California have laws against lane-splitting. However, motorcycle accidents happen every year because drivers dangerously pass through these spaces between cars. While your bike may be able to fit, and lane-splitting may be able to save you some time by cutting through heavy traffic, it is dangerous. Cars may see you coming and close the gap by moving closer to the line, which could place them at fault if this intentional act leads you to crash your motorcycle.

Drunk Driving

Drunk driving accidents are common causes of potentially deadly motorcycle accidents. Whether the motorcyclist is struck by a drunk driver or a motorcycle passenger is injured by a drunk motorcyclist, the victims of these accidents could be severely injured. Driving under the influence harms your reaction time and ability to make good judgments. That means that many drunk driving accidents occur when a driver cannot react quickly to an emergency or makes dangerous decisions that a sober driver might not make. High-speed DUI accidents often involve drivers who do not hit the brakes because the accident occurs before they can react, meaning these crashes often occur at higher speeds, causing more serious injuries.

Dangerous Lane-Changes

Motorcycles are not as large and visible as cars. When changing lanes, it is vital that drivers put their turn signal on, check their mirrors, check their blind spot, and then make their move. Many motorcyclists are injured each year when drivers fail to adequately watch their blind spots for smaller vehicles like motorcycles and mopeds. Drivers who hit a motorcyclist this way could cause the rider to fall from the bike, suffering serious injuries. While a car accident that occurs this way might not be too severe because the cars are moving in the same direction, this can knock a motorcyclist off their bike and into other moving vehicles.

Speeding

Speed is one of the most common factors present in serious car and motorcycle accidents. While speed might not be the only cause of a motorcycle accident, it can be one of the biggest influences on the severity of the crash. When a motorcycle is struck at low speed, the rider may be able to avoid the brunt of the damage by bailing. When a driver hits you at high speeds, you may have no time to react or avoid the crash. If you are struck with the full force of a speeding car, you would be fortunate to survive the accident. Many speed-related crashes cause life-changing injuries like brain injuries or spinal cord injuries as well as wrongful death.

Distracted Driving

Similar to drunk driving, distracted driving can slow a driver’s reaction time or make it impossible to react to a dangerous situation. Drivers who text while driving or otherwise drive with distractions are responsible for a huge number of car accidents each year, many of which are fatal. The smaller size of a motorcycle can make it harder for a distracted driver to notice. If the driver is not watching for motorcycles or bicycles, they will be more likely to hit these vehicles.

Our Miami Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Offers Free Consultations

If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident in Florida, it is vital that you discuss your case with a personal injury attorney. Accepting payouts from your insurance company or the at-fault driver might limit the number of damages you can recover for your claim. Always discuss your case with an experienced Miami personal injury lawyer before accepting a settlement. Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA offer free consultations on new cases. To schedule your consultation, call Prosper Shaked today at (305) 694-2676.