Delray Beach Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Florida has one of the highest rates of motorcycle registrations in the country, and it’s no wonder. Great weather, beautiful scenery and endless stretches of highway make the Sunshine State a great place to ride your bike. Unfortunately, motorcycle riding does come with risks, notably from negligent and distracted drivers who do not notice a motorcycle until it is too late to avoid an accident. In a collision with a motor vehicle, it is almost always the motorcyclist who fares the worst. Car accidents result in injury about one-third of the time, but nearly 90% of motorcycle accidents in Florida tend to result in injury to the rider. In Palm Beach County alone, there are typically over 500 motorcycle crashes every year, with nearly all of them involving injury or death to the rider.
The financial and emotional toll of a motorcycle accident can be enormous. Attorney Craig D. Earnhart of Earnhart Law helps motorcycle victims and their families recover compensation from drivers whose negligence or distracted driving has caused serious injury or worse in a motorcycle accident. Our Delray Beach motorcycle accident attorney offers services to Boynton Beach, Boca Raton and communities throughout south Palm Beach County. Learn more about Florida motorcycle accidents and how to stay safe below, and contact Earnhart Law for a free consultation if you have been hurt in an accident caused by another driver.
Motorcycle Accident Risks
Tragically, motorcycle riders are many times more likely to be killed in a traffic accident than a motor vehicle occupant. The reasons are obvious. Motorcycle riders do not enjoy the protection of an automobile chassis or safety features such as airbags. While cars have consistently been made safer and safer over the years, motorcycles have not seen any similar improvements. Also, a motorcyclist is hit with a much heavier force in a crash due to the automobile’s greater mass, and the size differential between motorcycle and automobile makes the motorcycle harder to see for the average driver. A driver who is distracted by a cell phone or not watching the road closely is much more likely to not notice a motorcycle than another automobile in the vicinity. Finally, motorcycle riders know all too well the threat posed by drivers who drive aggressively around motorcycles, crowding them, forcing them off the road, or misjudging the distance and making dangerous left turns in front of an oncoming bike.
A Hard Road to Recovery for Motorcycle Accident Victims
Most drivers in Florida have access to no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, allowing them to claim up to $10,000 for medical care and lost income in the event they are injured in a car accident. However, motorcyclists are not required under Florida law to carry PIP coverage, and motorcyclists who want PIP coverage may have a hard time finding a carrier which will provide it. This means that in most motorcycle accidents, the victim will need to sue the at-fault driver in order to recover any kind of compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering or other legal damages.
Motorcycle accident victims face many challenges in pursuing claims against negligent drivers, including low amounts of liability insurance and a very high rate of uninsured drivers in Florida. Also, insurance companies will play on biases against motorcyclists to make the rider appear at fault in causing the accident, hoping to minimize the amount they have to pay or avoid liability altogether. As an injured rider, you need the help of an experienced personal injury attorney who understands insurance company tactics and will not allow you to be treated unfairly.
Safe Riding Tips for Motorcyclists
- Always wear a helmet, along with leathers or other protective clothing
- Always ride with your headlamp on, even during the daylight hours
- Signal your intentions well in advance of a lane change or turn
- Ride defensively and leave space between your bike and surrounding vehicles
Professional Legal Representation in Delray Beach Motorcycle Accidents
Unfortunately, safe riding cannot always protect you from a negligent or distracted driver. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in south Palm Beach County, contact Earnhart Law for a free consultation at 561-265-2220 to speak with a knowledgeable and dedicated Delray Beach motorcycle accident attorney.