You face serious risks on Cocoa Beach roads as a motorcycle rider. Crashes happen too often here. They can cause life-changing injuries and financial strain. You may struggle with medical bills and lost income after a motorcycle crash.
At DeGraff Hicks Law Group, we get how scary this can feel. We fight for riders who have been injured due to other motorists’ negligence. Our Cocoa Beach motorcycle accident lawyers know how to build strong cases that get results.
Let our Cocoa Beach personal injury lawyers worry about the legal side of things while you focus on resting and recovering.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Florida
Florida ranks among the most dangerous states for motorcyclists. Latest data from the National Safety Council (NSC) shows that Florida leads as the state with the highest deaths followed by Texas and California.
On the other hand, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports 6,335 motorcyclists were killed in the U.S. in 2023. This accounted for 15% of all fatalities. In Florida, 632 motorcycle riders lost their lives that year.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Understanding what causes motorcycle accidents can help you stay safer on the road. More importantly, it helps determine liability when you’re injured in a crash.
Distracted Driving
Distracted drivers pose one of the biggest threats to motorcyclists. Drivers texting, talking on phones, or adjusting GPS systems often fail to see motorcycles.
Their smaller profile makes motorcycles harder to spot in the first place.
Driving Under the Influence
Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and poor judgment. They’re more likely to make sudden lane changes or run red lights.
Alcohol isn’t the only concern. Drug-impaired driving has increased significantly. Both prescription medications and illegal drugs can impair a driver’s ability to operate safely.
Equipment Failure
Motorcycle equipment failures can happen without warning. Brake failures and tire blowouts can cause catastrophic accidents. Sometimes these failures result from manufacturing defects.
Motorists Not Seeing Motorcyclists
The phrase “I didn’t see them” appears in countless accident reports. Car and truck drivers often look right through motorcycles. This happens at intersections, during lane changes, and when merging onto highways.
Motorcycles occupy less visual space than other vehicles. Drivers may see the motorcycle but misjudge its speed or distance. These perception errors can lead to devastating collisions.
Unexpected Obstacles on the Road
Road hazards affect motorcycles more severely than cars. Potholes that barely register to car drivers can throw motorcyclists off balance. Construction debris, fallen tree branches, and spilled cargo create dangerous obstacles.
If you have questions about with whom the liability lies, contact our Cocoa Beach motorcycle accident lawyers today.
Common Types of Injuries After a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries. Unlike car occupants, motorcyclists have minimal protection from impact forces. Understanding common injury types helps you recognize when you need immediate medical attention.
Broken Bones
Fractures occur in most motorcycle accidents. Arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones bear the brunt of impact forces. Complex fractures may require multiple surgeries and months of rehabilitation.
Road Rash
Road rash occurs when skin scrapes against road asphalt during a crash. Mild road rash resembles a bad sunburn. Severe road rash can strip away multiple layers of skin and require skin grafts.
Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries represent some of the most serious consequences of motorcycle accidents. Even helmet-wearing riders can suffer brain injuries from the force of impact. Concussions are the mildest form, but they still require medical monitoring.
Severe brain injuries can cause permanent cognitive problems and personality changes.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries occur when vertebrae fracture or dislocate, damaging the delicate spinal cord tissue. Recovery depends on the location and severity of the injury.
Keeping records of your injuries such as photos, medical records, etc., helps to bolster your personal injury claim. Speak with our knowledgeable Cocoa Beach motorcycle accident lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.
Are There Any Motorcycle-Specific Laws in Florida?
Florida has several laws that specifically apply to motorcycles. These regulations affect how accidents are investigated and how liability is determined.
Florida Statute 316.211 addresses helmet requirements. Riders over 21 may choose whether to wear helmets, provided they carry at least $10,000 in medical insurance coverage. Riders under 21 must wear DOT-approved helmets at all times.
Eye protection is mandatory for all riders unless the motorcycle has a windscreen. This requirement applies to both operators and passengers. Violations can result in traffic citations and fines.
Florida Statute 316.2085 governs motorcycle operation. Riders cannot carry packages that prevent them from keeping both hands on the handlebars. Lane splitting is prohibited in Florida, unlike in some other states.
Motorcycle licensing requires passing both a written and riding skill test. These requirements acknowledge that motorcycles require different skills than cars. Insurance companies often consider licensing status when evaluating claims.
How is Fault Determined in a Motorcycle Accident?
Determining fault in motorcycle accidents requires careful investigation. Police officers examine the crash scene, interview witnesses, and review available evidence. Their accident report provides an initial assessment of what happened.
However, insurance companies conduct their own investigations. They may reach different conclusions than the police report suggests. Having an experienced Cocoa Beach motorcycle accident lawyer review the evidence protects your interests.
Traffic violations often indicate fault. Speeding, drowsy driving, running red lights, and failure to yield citations suggest negligence. However, violations don’t automatically determine fault in all situations.
Physical evidence tells an important story. Skid marks, vehicle damage patterns, and debris fields help reconstruct the accident sequence.
Our Cocoa Beach motorcycle accident lawyers work with expert accident reconstructionist who can analyze this evidence to determine what really happened.
Testimony from witnesses also offers unbiased perspectives on how the accident occurred. Dash cam footage and surveillance videos provide objective evidence when available.
What Compensation Can I Receive for My Injuries?
Florida law allows injured motorcyclists to recover several types of compensation. The specific amounts depend on your injuries, their impact on your life, and the available insurance coverage.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate you for financial losses caused by the accident. Medical expenses represent the largest component for most motorcycle accident victims. Lost wages and property damage also form these compensatory damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for intangible losses that don’t have specific dollar amounts. Pain and suffering represents the largest category. This includes both physical pain from injuries and emotional distress from the traumatic experience.
Punitive Damages
Unlike compensatory damages, these are awarded in rare cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct.
Should I Receive Medical Attention Even if I am Not Hurt?
Yes, you should always seek medical attention after a motorcycle accident, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks pain and injury symptoms immediately after trauma. Many serious injuries don’t cause obvious symptoms right away.
Some injuries worsen over time without proper treatment. What may seem like minor soreness can develop into chronic pain conditions. Early intervention often prevents long-term complications.
Medical records also establish the connection between the accident and your injuries. This connection becomes harder to prove if you wait weeks to seek treatment. Insurance companies will question whether your injuries really resulted from the accident.
How Much is My Accident Claim Worth?
Every motorcycle accident case is unique. Claim values depend on multiple factors that vary significantly between cases. Severe injuries typically result in higher settlements, but the relationship isn’t always straightforward.
Medical expenses form the foundation of most claims. But the type of treatment matters as much as the cost. Surgery and hospitalization suggest more serious injuries than emergency room visits alone.
Your age and occupation affect claim value. Younger victims typically receive higher awards because they face more years of living with their injuries. High-earning professionals may recover more for lost wages than minimum-wage workers.
Insurance policy limits sometimes cap available compensation. Florida requires minimum liability coverage of only $10,000. Many accidents cause damages far exceeding these minimums. Underinsured motorist coverage can help bridge this gap.
The strength of your liability case also affects value. Clear-cut cases where the other driver is obviously at fault typically result in higher settlements. Cases with disputed liability may settle for less to avoid trial risks.
Speak with our experienced Cocoa Beach motorcycle accident lawyers to get a better understanding of what your case could be worth.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
Florida’s statute of limitations gives you two years to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit. This deadline applies to personal injury claims against the at-fault driver. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to compensation forever.
This is why it is imperative to speak with an experienced Cocoa Beach motorcycle accident lawyer immediately following a crash.
Why Was My Motorcycle Accident Claim Denied?
Insurance companies deny claims for various reasons. Understanding common denial reasons helps you avoid these problems or challenge improper denials.
Reasons include:
- Late reporting: Insurance companies often argue that delays prevent proper investigation of claims.
- Coverage disputes: These arise when insurers claim the policy doesn’t apply to your situation.
- Liability disputes: These arise when the insurance company blames you for the collision.
- Pre-existing conditions: Insurers argue that your injuries existed before the accident.
- Policy violations: The insurer may claim you violated policy terms.
If your claim was denied, contact an experienced Cocoa Beach motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can review your case and offer options, including appealing the denial.
Can My Attorney File the Claim for Me?
Yes, experienced Cocoa Beach motorcycle accident lawyers handle all aspects of claim filing and management. This relieves you of dealing with insurance companies while focusing on recovery.
Attorneys understand insurance claim procedures and requirements. They know what documentation to provide and how to present your case effectively. This knowledge helps avoid claim denials based on procedural errors.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help with Your Compensation Claim?
Skilled Cocoa Beach motorcycle accident lawyers provide valuable services throughout the claims process. Their experience and knowledge often make the difference between successful and unsuccessful claims.
Collect Evidence
Cocoa Beach motorcycle accident lawyers know what evidence is important and how to preserve it. They may request police reports, medical records, and witness statements. Attorneys also identify other potential evidence sources, like traffic cameras or business surveillance systems.
Assess Liability
Determining who caused the accident requires legal analysis of the facts. Attorneys understand traffic laws and how they apply to your situation. They can identify multiple parties who may bear responsibility.
Calculate Damages
Proper damage calculation requires experience and knowledge of what compensation is available. Lawyers work with economists and medical experts to determine the full extent of your losses.
Settlement Negotiations
Most motorcycle accident cases settle without going to trial. However, successful negotiations require skill and experience. Insurance adjusters negotiate claims daily. You need someone with similar experience representing your interests.
Knowledgeable Cocoa Beach motorcycle accident lawyers understand when to accept settlement offers and when to demand more. They know how to structure negotiations to achieve the best possible outcomes.
They also understand the costs and risks of going to trial. Sometimes settlement offers are too low to justify accepting. Other times, trial risks make reasonable settlement offers attractive.
Take Your Case to Trial
If settlement negotiations fail, attorneys can take your case to trial. Trial preparation involves extensive work, including witness preparation, evidence organization, and legal research.
At DeGraff Hicks Law Group, our Cocoa Beach motorcycle accident lawyers understand courtroom procedures and evidence rules. We know how to present your case effectively to judges and juries. This trial experience often motivates insurance companies to make better settlement offers.
Having an attorney willing to go to trial changes the entire dynamic of settlement negotiations. Insurance companies know they can’t pressure you into accepting inadequate offers.
But Isn’t Hiring an Attorney Expensive?
Most motorcycle accident attorneys work on contingency fee arrangement. This means you pay nothing upfront for legal representation. Attorney fees come from your settlement or jury award only if you win your case.
Our Cocoa Beach motorcycle accident lawyers and personal injury law firm operates on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless you win.
Take Control of Your Recovery with Experienced Legal Help From Our Cocoa Beach Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Motorcycle accidents change lives in an instant. You shouldn’t have to face insurance companies and legal challenges alone while trying to recover from serious injuries.
At DeGraff Hicks Law Group, our Cocoa Beach motorcycle accident lawyers understand the unique challenges motorcyclists face after accidents. We know how to investigate crashes, build strong cases, and fight for the compensation you deserve. We handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on getting better.
Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of your situation. Call (321) 44-SHARK today for your free consultation. We’re here to help you get your life back on track.
