The state of Florida has the distinction of being home to I-95, the deadliest stretch of highway in America. Florida is also the state with the highest number of motorcycle fatalities in the nation. Although motorcycle accidents are not more common than other vehicle crashes, they do have the potential to be much deadlier. This is due to the fact that motorcycles are much lighter and smaller than regular vehicles. Additionally, they are simply not large enough to have many safety features to protect riders from injury in the event of a collision.
For over 40 years, the experienced Florida motorcycle accident lawyers at Colson Hicks Eidson have been helping victims of motorcycle crashes nationwide. If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle accident, put our experience to work for you. Our firm has a long history of success. In fact, we have helped our clients recover a total of over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements in our legal career.
Motorcycles are incredibly popular in the state of Florida, particularly in and around the Miami area. When we examine data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, we can see that there were nearly 9,000 total motorcycle crashes during the latest reporting year across the state. Out of these incidents, there were 550 motorcycle fatalities and more than 7,600 total motorcycle injuries.
Because motorcyclists have such little protection from the force of a vehicle slamming into them, it is not uncommon for them to sustain severe injuries when a collision occurs. At Colson Hicks Eidson, our motorcycle accident lawyers regularly help clients who have sustained the following:
Additionally, it is not uncommon for motorcycle accident victims to suffer from unseen emotional and psychological trauma following the incident. This can include feelings of fear, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Motorcycle accident victims in Miami and throughout the state of Florida may be entitled to various types of compensation for their losses. In general, the motorcycle accident lawyers at Colson Hicks Eidson work diligently to recover both economic and non-economic damages on behalf of clients. This can include the following:
The total amount of compensation available to motorcycle accident victims in Florida will vary depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding each particular incident. The attorneys at Colson Hicks Eidson will work with trusted medical and economic experts to help properly calculate each injury victim’s total expected losses.
The most common types of motorcycle-car accidents include:
Motorcycle accidents can be deadly. That is why it is important for motorcyclists to take safety precautions, such as wearing a helmet. Although Florida law does not require you to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle, if you wear a helmet while riding, you have a much better chance of avoiding serious injury in the event of a crash.
It is crucial for any motorcycle accident victim in Florida to file any insurance claims or lawsuits as soon as possible. First, we want any motorcycle accident victim to understand that insurance carriers have very strict reporting deadlines in these cases. Sometimes, these deadlines are within a day or two after a collision occurs. Failing to promptly report a motorcycle accident collision to the insurance carrier could result in delayed claims or even a denied claim.
In the event it becomes necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit against an alleged negligent driver in these cases, the Florida personal injury statute of limitations is four years from the day of the injury occurs. If a motorcycle crash victim fails to file a lawsuit within this timeframe, they will lose the ability to recover any compensation for their losses.
Our motorcycle accident attorneys understand the difficulties faced by motorcycle accident victims and their families. A motorcycle crash can lead to thousands of dollars in medical bills, repair costs, and even the end of a lifelong love of riding. An experienced Florida motorcycle accident attorney from our nationally recognized law firm will work hard to find out exactly why the accident occurred and who is at fault. You can then get the compensation you deserve for your personal injuries or the wrongful death of a family member.
If you or someone you love was in a motorcycle crash, call our office in Florida. You can also contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a motorcycle personal injury lawyer.