There is not doubt, that riding a motorcycle in Florida is exciting. I rode a motorcycle throughout college. I loved it. Florida has no helmet law; therefore, motorcyclists have no real protection and are at risk for being seriously hurt or injured in a crash. Motorcyclists are many times more likely to die in crashes that drivers and passengers in cars and trucks. None of this information should be news to anyone reading this blog post.
Most motorcycle injuries are actually caused by negligent or careless motor vehicle and truck drivers who violate motorcyclists’ right of way. For instance, one of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes is when cars turn into a left lane to pass and into motorcyclists. Another is head-on collisions, which is much more prevalent than crashes where motorcyclists are hit from behind. Another cause of injuries occurs during lane splitting, when motorcyclists, ride between lanes during time of traffic. This is legal in California; however, not legal in Florida as of 2020. Lane splitting will be legal within a couple years.
How I Fight for Victims of Motorcycle Crashes
I am a motorcycle enthusiast and a motorcyclist’s attorney. As I mentioned above, this was my sole transportation during college. I am a personal injury law trial attorney. I am also a former insurance company trial lawyer and an Army Ranger Veteran. I am known for fighting for my clients’ rights and for leaving no stone unturned. As a trial attorney, I care about winning. I am aggressive in my representation of clients. As a personal injury trial attorney, I know how insurance companies handle such cases by delaying, denying and defending injury claims. Because I worked as an insurance company attorney, I know how to maximize financial recovery.
Tips to Follow After a Motorcycle Crash
If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash, below are a few tips to follows to help in your claim and potential trial later and how I fight for victims of motorcycle crashes.
- Call the police to investigate. The report helps your attorney in identifying witnesses and specifics of the crash.
- Take photographs and video of your motorcycle and of all the other vehicles involved in the crash while at the crash scene if you can. Take many photographs, not just one. Send all the photos and video to your email to make sure you do not lose the photos and video. Don’t rely on using photographs taken by the other driver.
- Photograph and video scene of the crash to note the weather and road conditions and the positions of the vehicles.
- Take photographs of your injuries and clothing worn at the time of the crash.
- Use your phone to take a photograph, if you can, of the other driver’s license or copy down that person’s information. Do not just rely on the report.
- Copy down all contact information of all witnesses, including addresses, telephones and emails, not just others in vehicles involved in the crash.
- You may speak with your insurance company to report the crash, however, you should call an attorney first.
- You do not need to speak with the insurance company of the other driver. The adjuster is not trying to help you. The adverse insurance company is trying to limit their exposure and to obtain statements from you to use against you later.
- Keep all records of medical care. Your attorney will want to make sure to review and obtain full sets of medical records, especially before any independent medical evaluation or defense medical evaluation.
- You may have your motorcycle repaired, but wait to speak to an accident attorney first. Your lawyer may want to photograph the damage, or have it analyzed first.
- Do not sign anything from any insurance company without speaking to a trial attorney first.
The motorcycle crash injury attorneys at Van Riper and Nies Attorneys, an Army Ranger Veteran-owned law firm, have successfully represented injured clients in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin County and St. Lucie counties. This article is not a substitute for legal advice. For more information about our Personal Injury and Motorcycle Accident Practice groups call 800-650-1243.