Contrary to popular belief, motorcyclists and automobile drivers are not equally responsible for motorcycle accidents. Indeed, one study found that the most common motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle causing the collision by violating the right-of-way of the motorcycle. What that implies, then, is that many motorists in cities like Gainesville, Florida, do not know how to drive safely around motorcyclists.
Drivers can correct the behaviors that increase the risks they pose to motorcyclists. Still, when a crash does take place, a Gainesville motorcycle accident lawyer from Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can represent the rider against the at-fault driver and their insurer to recover compensation. Contact us today at (877) 255-3652 if you’ve been injured.
How Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Gainesville, FL
The attorneys at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers have over a century of legal experience standing up to insurers and at-fault parties to aid those injured in Gainesville, FL. Our firm has successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and court verdicts for our clients.
In the event that you suffer an otherwise preventable injury due to someone else’s wrongful actions, our attorneys will provide you with the following services:
- Evaluate the strength and value of your claims
- Educate you about your rights and advise you about your options
- File an insurance claim using the documents and records we collect
- Negotiate to settle your claim
- Pursue a lawsuit if we cannot obtain a settlement
A motorcycle accident can cause catastrophic injuries, seeing as riders are far more exposed than traditional vehicle drivers and passengers. Contact Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Gainesville personal injury attorney to discuss your injuries and the compensation we can seek for them under Florida law.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Gainesville
Motorcycle accidents typically happen in only a handful of predictable ways, which themselves involve three closely connected issues. First, drivers have difficulty seeing motorcyclists due to their size and speed.
That is only worsened when the driver is inattentive or distracted, and it leads to the second problem: inattentional blindness. Drivers fail to see motorcycles, even those in plain sight, because they simply do not look for them. In turn, collisions occur wherein the driver looks before maneuvering but does not mentally register an approaching motorcycle.
The third issue relates to the cognitive bias of inattentional blindness. Even when drivers recognize an approaching motorcyclist, they may not view them as an equal. As a result, they maneuver and try to beat them through intersections or speed up so they cannot enter traffic.
With these issues in mind, the most common motorcycle collision scenarios include the following:
Left Turns Across Paths
True to its name, a left-turn-across-path (LTAP) crash happens when a driver turns left across the path of an oncoming motorcycle, whether at an intersection or a mid-block parking lot entrance. The motorcycle slams into the automobile in a side-impact crash.
Lane Changes
Lane change crashes happen when a driver moves from lane to lane without spotting a motorcycle next to them. That could be because the driver uses their mirrors instead of turning their head to check their blind spot, or because a driver fails to register the motorcycle riding in the next lane when they do check their blind spot.
Right Turns on Red
A driver making a right turn at an intersection might enter traffic without spotting a motorcycle. Alternatively, they might make the turn assuming the motorcycle will slow down or yield to the driver. A related crash happens when drivers merge into traffic at yield signs or freeway entrances in front of an oncoming motorcycle.
Tips for Driving Safely Around Motorcyclists
Some ways in which drivers can avoid the most common motorcycle crashes include the following:
- Look for motorcycles when changing lanes or turning
- Yield the right-of-way when motorcycles approach
- Focus on driving and avoid distractions that can lead to inattention
In general, you can avoid a motorcycle accident by exercising the same care around motorcycles as you would around other cars and large trucks.
Liability for Motorcycle Accidents in Florida
Automobile owners in Florida must buy personal injury protection (PIP) coverage under the state’s no-fault insurance laws. It pays motorists when they get into a minor accident, regardless of who caused it.
However, motorcyclists are not covered by Florida’s no-fault laws, as the risks to them are too high for insurers to issue reasonably priced PIP coverage to them. As a result, an injured rider’s only option for seeking financial compensation after a crash is through a personal injury claim.
The rider must show that the driver acted negligently by failing to exercise the care expected of a reasonably cautious driver. Those who change lanes without checking their blind spots, fail to yield to motorcycles with the right of way, or engage in other risky driving behaviors are all liable for the crashes they cause.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney if You’ve Been Injured in a Crash
Motorcyclists are vulnerable road users, and their safety often depends on the awareness and actions of drivers around them. By staying alert, respecting their right of way, and eliminating distractions, drivers can play a critical role in preventing devastating accidents.
If a motorcycle crash does occur due to a driver’s negligence, the rider has legal options. At Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we’re dedicated to helping injured motorcyclists in Gainesville seek the justice and compensation they deserve. Contact our Gainesville motorcycle accident attorneys today for a free consultation.
