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Auto and Motorcycle Accidents

Florida roads can be some of the most dangerous for vehicle and motorcycle drivers. While not every accident is fatal, vehicle and motorcycle collisions can have devastating long-term impacts on injured parties and their loved ones.

At Potter Bayern Law, we understand the toll a car, vehicle, or motorcycle accident can have on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. With a focus on personal injury law, the firm provides clients with the legal counsel and emotional guidance they need to seek compensation after a vehicle or motorcycle incident in Tampa Bay, Florida. 

Auto Accidents in Florida

Several factors can be at play in a vehicle crash, including speeding, road conditions, signage, drunk or distracted driving, and faulty vehicle parts. These factors were responsible for over 3,000 traffic-related fatalities in 2020 alone. 

Vehicle accidents are particularly dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists with little to no protection surrounding them. However, anyone involved in a vehicle accident is at risk for life-changing injuries.

Individuals involved in a vehicle accident may sustain the following injuries:

  • Head trauma
  • Burns
  • Broken bones
  • Joint or muscle injury
  • Whiplash
  • Neck or back damage
  • Scarring
  • Disability
  • Loss of limbs
  • Damage to the spinal cord
  • Paralysis

Suffering one of the above injuries can have other devastating consequences, including loss of income and mental and physical health issues. If you sustained injuries in a vehicle accident in Florida, filing a personal injury suit can help you receive fair compensation for some of the pain and suffering you endured.

Motorcycle Accidents in Florida

Florida possesses the second-highest number of registered motorcycle riders in the United States. Unfortunately, this fact is also reflected in Florida's high rate of deadly motorcycle incidents. There were 8,895 motorcycle crashes in Florida in 2019, 550 of which resulted in fatalities. 

Due to their lack of protection compared to truck or car drivers, motorcyclists are at an increased risk of severe injuries if involved in a collision. Individuals involved in a motorcycle accident commonly sustain the following injuries:

  • Road Rash
  • Severe head trauma
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Eye and neck injuries
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Internal organ damage
  • Internal hemorrhaging

These injuries can sink motorcyclists into a state of emotional and financial distress. A reliable and experienced attorney can help relieve some of the burdens of filing a personal injury lawsuit after a traumatic event.

Types of Auto Accidents in Florida

The type of injuries you sustain are often the result, in part, of the type of car accident. Most common types of crashes involve the following:

  • Head-on collisions, which are among the most devastating types of collisions that result in serious and life-threatening bodily injuries
  • Rear-end accidents, which are among the most common and frequently results in whiplash
  • Side-impact collisions, which are common, usually occur at intersections and result in a range of injuries depending on where the vehicle was struck
  • Roll-over accidents, which are less common but result in head and neck injuries
  • Sideswipe accidents, which are less common and occur when two or more vehicles travel parallel with each other and one swipes the side of the other vehicle
  • Blind spot accidents, which are less common and occur when one vehicle fails to spot another vehicle while changing or merging into another lane.

Liability for property and bodily damages can often be determined, in part, by the type of accident. It's important to remember, though, that accidents can be complex events, and so though the type may initially and seemingly indicate fault, a thorough investigation must be conducted for a clear understanding of where liability falls.  

Common Causes of Auto Accidents in FL

Car accidents happen due to many reasons. Typically, causes can be grouped into three categories: drivers, vehicles, and the environment.

Drivers

  • Intoxicated driving (e.g., alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs, illicit drugs)
  • Distracted driving (e.g., eating, texting, disciplining children)
  • Drowsy driving or falling asleep while driving
  • Speeding or reckless driving
  • Decision error (e.g., driving too fast for the conditions, misjudging another driver's actions)
  • Recognition error (e.g., inattention)
  • Performance error (e.g., overcompensation, poor directional control)

Vehicles

  • Tires/wheels-related
  • Brakes-related
  • Steering/suspension/transmission/engine-related
  • Manufacture defects

Environment

  • Slick roads (e.g., ice, loose debris)
  • Glare
  • View obstructions
  • Signs/signals

Most crashes are the direct result of one or more drivers. Aside from crashes caused by drivers, vehicles, or environmental conditions, there are other reasons that don't fall within these categories. For instance, pedestrians can sometimes be the cause of an accident. In other circumstances, the cause can't be determined. 

When the cause of an auto accident is easily identified, liability will also tend to be easily identifiable. More complex auto accident cases, however, require the insight of an experienced auto accident attorney and the knowledge and expertise of expert witnesses.

Determining Fault in an Auto Accident in Florida 

Florida recognizes comparative negligence, which holds each party involved in an accident accountable to the degree they are at fault. If you are partially at fault for a vehicle accident in Florida, you might still be eligible to receive compensation. The compensation you receive may be reduced by the percentage you determined at fault for the accident.

Florida is also a no-fault state for car insurance. Florida drivers must purchase a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection, covering up to 80 percent of injuries and lost wages. In most cases, that amount is not sufficient to cover the cost of severe injuries and lost wages, and a personal injury claim or a lawsuit is necessary.

What Should I do if I am involved in an Auto Accident?

If you were injured in a vehicle or motorcycle accident in Florida, you may be eligible to retrieve the cost of the following damages:

  • Medical bills and transport costs
  • Hospital care
  • Property damage
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Wrongful death compensation
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life

Frequently, insurance settlement offers only cover property damage and medical bills, and only those that have been incurred so far. Sometimes the settlement will also include lost wages, but again, it may only include the wages lost to date and not necessarily future wages or loss of earned income. Much of it depends on the rules of your jurisdiction.

To obtain compensation, you will need to establish liability in the accident. Many vehicle-related accidents in Florida are caused by negligence, such as speeding or texting and driving.

Florida places a four-year statute of limitations on most personal injury claims and two years in the case of wrongful death. Because time is of the essence, it is a wise move to contact a personal injury attorney promptly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Medical bills and personal expenses can pile up quickly when you are injured in an accident, especially if you are unable to work while recovering.

By hiring a lawyer in Florida and pursuing these other forms of compensation, accident victims can fight for what they really deserve. 

Contact Potter Bayern Law

If you or a loved one were injured in a vehicle or motorcycle accident in Florida, you deserve adequate compensation for your pain and suffering. Potter Bayern Law, located in Tampa, is prepared to fight for your rights and hold negligent drivers accountable in a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Contact our offices at (877) 581-7511 for a free consultation today.