TITUSVILLE MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS

Brevard County is a motorcycle rider’s paradise. Cruising along US-1 north and south of Titusville with the ocean on both sides is an activity both local bikers and tourists enjoy. However, what if your exhilarating and fun-filled weekend bike ride ends in the hospital?

Getting hurt in a motorcycle accident can change your life in one split second and result in chronic physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial chaos. Bikers with severe or disabling injuries face ongoing medical and rehabilitation costs. However, if another caused your accident and injury, they should pay for your damages and not you.

You don’t have to go it alone. Morgan & Morgan is here to help injured motorcycle riders recover the compensation they need and deserve. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Titusville, FL, are on standby and waiting to hear from you. Contact us now for a free case review to determine whether you qualify for compensation.

Titusville Motorcycle Accident Causes

According to Ride Smart Florida, Brevard County had one of the highest fatal motorcycle accident figures in Florida during 2015-2020. The county averages 342 crashes and 22 fatalities annually. Although motorcycle accidents can occur for various reasons, speed and alcohol play a significant role in Brevard motorcycle crashes.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

Unsafe Lane Changes

Unsafe lane changes can occur when drivers fail to ensure that their path is clear when changing lanes. Other examples of dangerous lane changes include:

• Weaving in and out of traffic unsafely
• Failure to use a signal when changing lanes
• Passing a slower vehicle too closely
• Forcing a motorcyclist off the road

Motorcyclists are not as visible as cars and trucks and run the risk of being overlooked by car drivers that change lanes improperly.

Illegal Turns

Improper or illegal turns occur in the following circumstances:

• A driver makes a turn that is unsafe or interferes with other traffic
• A driver proceeds when a traffic sign or signal clearly prohibits turning (such as “no turn on red”)

Improper left turns or turning on red without ensuring that the road is clear can cause devastating motorcycle crashes with injuries and even fatalities.

Alcohol and Drug Consumption

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol plays a role in 43 percent of all motorcycle accidents. Since riding a motorcycle requires more coordination than driving a car, drunk motorcycle riders put themselves and others at considerable risk of injury. Inebriated car drivers may not be able to judge the speed and distance of a motorcycle, which could cause serious crashes.

Speeding

Speeding car drivers and motorcycle riders have less time to avoid road hazards and accidents. In addition, the higher the speed of those involved in a crash, the worse the outcome in most cases. High-speed motorcycle accidents can cause permanently disabling injuries and fatalities.  

Braking Abruptly

When a car driver slams down on the brakes without any warning, a motorcyclist behind might rear-end the car and get thrown off their motorcycle. Stopping abruptly can cause severe accidents and injuries, even at relatively low speeds.

Motorcycle accidents typically occur due to one or several parties’ negligence or recklessness. If you or a loved one suffered injuries and damages due to the carelessness of a car driver or other party, Morgan & Morgan could help you receive compensation.

Protecting Your Rights After a Motorcycle Crash

Knowing what to do at an accident scene can be crucial and even save lives. Taking the proper steps immediately after a crash in Titusville can protect your health and rights to damages from the responsible party.

The Insurance Information Institute (III) says that one of your best steps after an accident is staying at the scene. If you can, help injured victims to safety and dial 911 immediately for medical help and law enforcement. Staying calm, assisting the authorities, and avoiding arguments with other drivers can be vital. Remember that anything you say or do at the crash scene could potentially be used against you later on.

Other critical actions for preserving your rights include:

• Take photographs and videos of the accident scene, vehicles, and injuries
• Ask eyewitnesses for their contact details
• Gather names, addresses, and insurance information from those involved in the accident

The Days Following Your Crash

Your actions in the days following the collision can be as important as your actions at the scene. If you did not receive treatment for your injuries at the crash scene or hospital, visit a doctor as soon as possible to assess any injuries and symptoms.

Common motorcycle accident injuries, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) and whiplash, may not show any symptoms on the day of the crash. Therefore, getting a prompt medical evaluation can be crucial for your health and well-being. Visiting a healthcare professional will also provide you with a medical report, a vital piece of evidence if you are hoping to hold the responsible party accountable for your damages.

Call a Titusville, FL, Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you suffered significant injuries, try to get a lawyer into your corner as soon as possible. A skilled personal injury attorney from our firm can protect your legal rights, clarify your options for recovering compensation, and move forward with an insurance claim or lawsuit on your behalf.

You Could Qualify for Damages

Depending on the severity of your injuries, motorcycle damage, and other losses, you could be entitled to damages, including:  

• Current and future medical expenses
• Repair of the motorcycle
• Income loss and future loss of wages
• Household and in-home care services
• Modification of your home and vehicle
• Physical pain
• Emotional trauma
• Permanent disfigurement and disability
• Reduced life quality

Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death

No amount of money can turn back the time or reduce the grief you feel when losing a loved one unexpectedly. However, if your relative died due to their injuries from a motorcycle accident, you could qualify for compensation that can help with the financial implications of your loved one’s death. Depending on the circumstances of your claim, you could recover:

• Medical expenses before death
• Costs for the funeral and burial
• Loss of your loved one’s income and benefits
• Loss of companionship
• Mental pain and suffering
• Loss of the deceased’s services

It is important to note that the estate’s personal representative generally has only two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Florida. Therefore, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer in Titusville, FL, promptly to protect your right to pursue justice and compensation.