Work With Our Destin Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
Motorcyclists often encounter unique and heightened dangers on the roadways. Though Florida is a popular motorcycling destination due to the year-round warm weather, it is still common for drivers to “ignore” or fail to account for the presence of motorcyclists on the roadway — causing otherwise-avoidable collision accidents.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Florida, then you may be entitled to sue the defendant responsible for the harm and recover damages. In fact, motorcycle accidents often give rise to serious injuries, so it’s even more important (under such circumstances) for plaintiffs to pursue a legal recovery — a full and adequate recovery can cover your losses and help you move forward with your life.
According to data reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are highly overrepresented in traffic fatalities and are roughly 28 times more likely as passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash. Motorcyclists are also much more likely to suffer a severe injury by comparison.
Fundamental Dangers
Aside from the issues of driver awareness and road hazards, motorcyclists are at a unique risk of severe injury due to the fundamental nature of riding — unlike other vehicles, there is no material to “shield” them from an impact.
In a car, for example, the material is designed to crumple and absorb the force of an impact, thereby reducing the potential damage to the occupants within. With a motorcycle, by comparison, the rider must sustain the entire force of impact in a direct collision. They are also likely to be thrown off their motorcycle and hit the roadway (or other vehicles, perhaps). These secondary collisions could cause severe injuries as well.
Implications for Litigation
Motorcycle accident disputes are often high-stakes, given the nature of the accident and the severity of the injuries typically involved. As such, defendants may push hard against the imposition of liability, attempting to minimize or avoid liability by painting the motorcyclist with a stereotypical brush (i.e., as a careless “joyrider” who was also at-fault). If the defendant is unwilling to budge and is feeling confident, the dispute may become contentious.
In many motorcycle accident disputes, however, the facts may be straightforward, and the potential for damages may be so significant as to push the defendant towards a settlement to avoid the cost and uncertainty of trial litigation. It’s worth noting that a defendant’s willingness to settle may not only be dependent on the facts but may also be dependent on their position and resources: for example, a tire manufacturer may want to discourage other similar lawsuits and may have the resources to fight the case to the end.
Contact a Destin Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today for Help
Powell Law Firm is a Florida-based personal injury firm whose attorneys have been assisting injured plaintiffs for nearly seven decades, helping them to recover damages as compensation for the losses they suffered. We are committed to tireless advocacy to ensure that our clients are able to move forward with their lives and move past the issues caused by others’ negligence or misconduct.
As experienced litigators, we have taken numerous cases to trial, including motorcycle accident disputes. Though a negotiated settlement is usually preferable, the fact that we are willing and able to follow-through and take a case to trial gives us substantial leverage during early negotiations — as such, we are often able to secure a favorable result in the pre-litigation phase.
Ready to speak to an experienced Destin motorcycle accident attorney? We encourage you to call us at 850-682-2757 or send us a message online to schedule a free consultation today.