Motorcycles are a common site in the Orlando area and throughout the State of Florida. Sadly, Florida also has one of the highest motorcycle fatality rates in the United States. Moreover, while fatal motor vehicle accident rates overall have been declining in recent years, motorcycle deaths continue to increase. If you suffered physical or psychological injuries in an Orlando motorcycle accident, or you are the surviving family member of someone fatally injured in an Orlando motorcycle accident, compensation may be available to you.
At Malik Law, our Orlando motorcycle accident attorneys understand the financial, physical, and emotional suffering endured by motorcycle accident victims and family members. If another party (or parties) contributed to the motorcycle accident, they should be held accountable, and you should be fairly compensated for all your injuries or loss. Contact our experienced Orlando motorcycle accident attorneys at Malik Law today by calling 407-500-1000 to find out how we can help you recover compensation for your injuries and suffering.
Causes of Orlando Motorcycle Accidents
The metropolitan Orlando area has over two million residents and the city hosts another 70 million visitors each year. The sheer volume of traffic in the Orlando area adds to the heightened risk for motorcycle riders. In 2022, there were 457 motorcycle crashes in Orange County, causing 32 fatalities and another 393 injuries, according to figures published by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV). Although motorcycles only represent about three percent of all registered vehicles in the State of Florida, motorcycle fatalities account for about 17 percent of all motor vehicle crash fatalities in an average year. In fact, a motorcyclist is almost 30 times more likely to be killed in a crash than the occupant of a passenger, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). Common contributing factors in an Orlando motorcycle accident include:
- Unaware drivers. Motorists frequently admit that they were unaware of the presence of a motorcycle on the roadway right before a collision occurred. This often occurs when the passenger vehicle fails to recognize a motorcycle while executing a turn, causing the vehicle to collide with the motorcycle.
- Driving under the influence. Motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes have a higher percentage of alcohol impairment than drivers of any other motor vehicle type, resulting in driving under the influence being a contributing factor in over 40 percent of single-vehicle motorcycle crash fatalities, according to the NHTSA.
- Hazardous road conditions. Road construction, wet pavement, debris on the roadway, and other hazardous conditions often cause or contribute to motorcycle accidents.
- Speed. Speed contributes to one out of every three motor vehicle collisions. When speed is involved in a motorcycle accident, it often increases the amount and/or severity of injuries sustained by the motorcycle rider.
- Rider inexperience. Florida law requires motorcyclists to obtain a motorcycle endorsement after completing a motorcycle safety course to lawfully operate a motorcycle. One reason for this is that rider inexperience is a contributing factor in 30 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries
The feeling of freedom experienced when riding a motorcycle is both what attracts riders to motorcycles and what increases the risk of serious injury when a rider is involved in an accident. Florida law does not require riders over the age of 21 to wear helmets, leaving some motorcycle riders virtually unprotected in a crash. Consequently, a motorcyclist may suffer serious, even fatal, injuries when involved in an accident, including:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Broken or fractured bones.
- Spinal cord injury, including paralysis.
- Road rash and lacerations.
Sadly, there is an increased risk of fatal injuries when a motorcycle is involved in a collision. When someone suffers fatal injuries in an Orlando motorcycle accident, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for their losses in a Florida wrongful death lawsuit.
Orlando Motorcycle Accidents and Florida No-Fault Insurance
Florida is one of many “no-fault” insurance states. For most motorists, this means they are required to carry a minimum amount of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage that pays their medical bills (up to $10,000) if they are injured in an accident without regard to who was at fault in the collision. Florida’s no-fault insurance law, however, does not apply to motorcycles. That means that if you are injured in a motorcycle accident, you must pursue compensation from an at-fault party through a traditional personal injury accident lawsuit. In a traditional personal injury lawsuit, an injured party is required to prove that another party’s negligence caused or contributed to the accident to be entitled to compensation.
Am I Entitled to Compensation for My Orlando Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
If you were injured in an Orlando motorcycle accident and the negligence of another party (or parties) contributed to the collision, you may be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages in an Orlando motorcycle accident lawsuit.
Economic damages compensate a victim for the out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, including things such as medical and hospital bills, therapy expenses, and lost wages, while non-economic damages compensate a victim for subjective injuries, such as disfigurement, scarring, pain, and suffering.
In the case of a fatal Orlando motorcycle accident, surviving family members may be eligible for compensation in a Florida wrongful death lawsuit, including the value of lost future earnings, support, and services, as well as the loss of companionship, guidance, and protection.
Get Help from Orlando Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
The aftermath of an Orlando motorcycle accident can be devastating for a victim and the victim’s family. Knowing you have someone to help you navigate the often-complex legal system is the key to making a full physical, emotional, and financial recovery. At Malik Law, P.A., our experienced Orlando motorcycle accident attorneys are dedicated to helping victims and their families. Let us put our experience and resources to work to help you. We are committed to holding the at-fault party accountable and securing the maximum compensation for your physical and emotional injuries or loss. If you were injured in an Orlando motorcycle accident, we can help. Call us at 407-500-1000 or submit our online form today. One of our experienced Orlando motorcycle accident attorneys will explain your rights to you and discuss your legal options at no cost.