Key West & Marathon Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
The accident law firm of Florida Keys Injury aggressively represents motorcycle accident victims in Key West and the surrounding areas. We excel in helping those injured in motorcycle crashes in The Keys, especially those hit by cars, trucks, commercial vehicles, and Ubers & Lyfts. Give us a call at 786-605-8500 if you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle accident in The Keys. Your call is free, and we only charge a fee based on the recovery we obtain for you.
Motorcycle Riders in The Keys Face Numerous Dangers on the Road From Negligent Drivers
After comparing federal traffic crash fatality figures with national motorcycle registration data, a nationwide insurance organization determined that Florida is the sixth most dangerous state in the union for motorcycle riders. Florida has the second-highest number of motorcycle registrations in the country, but this fact doesn’t account for Florida’s high rate of motorcycle fatalities; California has far more registered motorcycles but ranks 22nd in death rates for riders. Other factors must be responsible for the high rate of fatal bike crashes in the Sunshine State.
Here in Monroe County, statistics show 167 motorcycle crashes in 2019, resulting in 151 injuries and three fatalities. These numbers mean that injury or death happened in 92% of all motorcycle crashes. In contrast, when all motor vehicle crashes are considered, injury or death only occurred in 58% of accidents. Motorcycle riders enjoy the freedom and exhilaration of the open road, but they face grave danger if they get hit by a larger, heavier car or truck.
A motorcycle accident can be caused by a negligent motorcycle rider or a negligent driver, but most often the crash is the fault of the car or truck driver who fails to notice the rider in time to avoid a crash or drives negligently or recklessly around the biker. Leading causes of motorcycle accidents in The Keys include:
- Drivers who make a left turn when a motorcycle is approaching from the opposite direction. Drivers misjudge the speed and distance of the oncoming bike and turn into the biker’s path before the rider has the chance to avoid crashing into the car.
- Drivers who are texting while driving and don’t see the motorcyclist in their path. Motorcycles are smaller and less common on the road than other vehicles, so they are harder to see when the driver is paying attention. For distracted drivers, the odds of failing to see a motorcycle on the road are that much greater.
- Drivers who act aggressively or recklessly around motorcycles, crowding them out of their lane, failing to yield the right of way, passing and then slowing down, etc.
- Drivers who change lanes without signaling and checking their blind spots first.
Do I Need an Attorney for My Motorcycle Accident Claim?
You do. Car drivers who are hurt in a crash can file a claim for no-fault benefits and get help with their medical expenses and lost income without filing a lawsuit or proving the other driver was at fault. Even bicyclists and pedestrians who get hurt in a car crash can use the no-fault insurance belonging to themselves, a member of their household, or the other driver. The same is not true for motorcyclists. Florida law does not require motorcycle riders to carry no-fault insurance, also known as Personal Injury Protection or PIP. Not only is PIP not required by law, but hardly any insurance companies will even offer to cover motorcycle riders with no-fault insurance.
The upshot for motorcycle riders is that if you get hurt in a crash with a car or truck, your only option is to file a claim directly against the driver through their liability insurance. This means you’ll have to prove they were negligent and at-fault in causing the wreck, and you’ll have to prove the full extent of your injuries and damages in order to recover for the full value of your claim.
You can’t do this alone; instead, you need the help of an aggressive and experienced motorcycle accident attorney. Insurance companies hire professional claims adjusters trained to devalue a claim or dispute liability; you need someone equally knowledgeable and experienced on your side who knows the law and legal process and can convince the insurer to pay the right amount. One positive aspect of filing a negligence claim is that you can get much more compensation than is available through no-fault benefits. We can help you recover for the full amount of your present and future medical expenses and lost wages or disability, plus compensation for your pain and suffering.
Insurance companies and members of the public often have misconceptions about motorcycle riders as being reckless, dangerous or aggressive drivers. Because of this, insurance companies and juries often want to shift at least some of the blame onto the rider, even when the other driver was clearly negligent. When this happens, it can significantly lessen the amount of money available to the accident victim. Our dedicated Florida Keys motorcycle accident lawyers vehemently argue against making any compromises on liability that aren’t supported by the facts. Trust our team to fully understand your case and devote ourselves to achieving the best result available.
Get Immediate Help After a Motorcycle Accident in the Florida Keys
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle crash in the Florida Keys or have lost a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident, call our Key West & Marathon motorcycle accident lawyers at 786-605-8500 for a no-cost consultation regarding your claim. We don’t charge any fee until after we are successful in obtaining a financial recovery for you.
