Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
With its ample sunshine, warm weather, and hundreds of miles of scenic coastline, it’s no wonder that Florida has the second-most number of registered motorcycles by state. While driving motorcycles through our great state can feel liberating and thrilling, it can also be quite dangerous.
There are increased hazards and risks for motorcyclists compared to other drivers and tragedies happen with alarming frequency. In many cases, collisions are the result of another motorist’s negligence.
Lawyer for Motorcycle Accidents in Florida
If you or someone you know has been in a motorcycle accident, it is crucial you find an effective attorney to help you get compensated for your injuries. The attorneys at Abrams Justice Trial Attorneys are experienced litigators serving the greater Miami-Dade area including Miami, Homestead, Hialeah, Pinecrest, Miami Gardens, Miami Beach, North Miami, Doral, Coral Gables and Cutler Bay and will fight for you after you have been involved in a motorbike accident.
You can reach out to us at (305) 709-0880 to set up an appointment to talk to one of our compassionate attorneys to discuss what your next steps should be.
Florida Motorcycle Accident Information Center
- Motorcycle Accident Statistics and Information
- Motorcycle Accident Injuries
- Miami-Dade Motorcycle Accident Resources
Motorcycle Accident Statistics and Information
The Department of Transportation’s last count in 2016 reported 582,648 registered motorbikes for The Sunshine State. Sadly though, Florida happens to be number one in fatal motorcycle accidents by state. In 2016 there were 10,331 motorcycle crashes with 8,256 resulting injuries.
Motorcycles offer the freedom of the open air but that freedom comes with significantly increased risks of injury. The state classifies motorcycle drivers as “Vulnerable Road Users.”
Motorcycle riders simply do not have as many protections against the dangers of the road as drivers of most other vehicles. As far as safety equipment, at most, motorcyclists have a jacket and a helmet.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, motorcycle helmets are 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries. Florida, however, does not have a universal helmet law and only requires the following:
- A person may not operate or ride on a motorcycle unless they are wearing protective headgear compliant with Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard 218 except:
- If the person is in an enclosed cab
- If the person is 16 or older and is riding a motorcycle with a displacement of 50 cubic centimeters or less or is rated not in excess of 2 brake horsepower and is not capable of speeds of 30 miles per hour
- If the person is over 21 and is covered by an insurance policy providing for at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a crash while operating or riding in a motorcycle
Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Obviously, head injuries are not the only type of damage motorcycle riders can suffer in a crash. The following is a breakdown of all types of injuries sustained by motorcyclists published in a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- 47 percent – Lower Extremity
- 40 percent – Upper Extremity
- 35 percent – Head
- 31 percent – Chest
- 20 percent – Spine
- 15 percent – Abdomen
- 10 percent – Face
Note that the percentages above do not add to 100 percent because motorcyclists often sustain multiple injuries.
The NHTSA study revealed that the majority of injuries suffered by motorcyclists were injuries to the lower extremities, most of which were leg injuries. Even worse those suffering lower extremity injuries actually average two lower extremity injuries per accident.
Although lower extremity injuries are not often as fatal as other type of injuries such as head trauma, they can be debilitating, painful, and costly. The NHTSA estimated that the average cost of hospital charges for someone who received a single lower extremity injury was between $8,363 and $34,483.
For multiple lower extremity injuries the cost increased to a range of between $23,347 and $62,953. The most costly combination found was for a lower extremity injury and an injury to other body regions with a range of between $29,681 and $109,061.
In fact 25, percent of those in the last group paid the estimated $109,061. For comparison, the hospital cost range for non-lower extremity injuries was only between $11,531 and $45,423. The chart below shows the rankings of most common lower extremity injuries and their associated diagnosis.
| Level of Lower Extremity Injury | Weighted Percent | Most Common Diagnosed Injury |
| Leg | 27 percent | Tibia and fibula fractures |
| Pelvis | 18 percent | Symphysis pubis separation |
| Knee | 16 percent | Fractures of tibia plateau and intercondyloid spine |
| Thigh | 11 percent | Femur fractures |
| Ankle | 10 percent | Tibia and fibula malleolar fractures |
| Foot | 10 percent | Metatarsal or Tarsal Fracture |
| Hip | 4 percent | Hip dislocation |
| Other | 4 percent |
Miami-Dade Motorcycle Accident Resources
Motorcycle Fatalities for Miami-Dade – The Florida Department of Health released a collection of motorcycle statistics for Miami-Dade County. While the statistics do not go that deep they do include demographic data. The link also includes safety tips.
Motorcycle Safety – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) collects comprehensive traffic data. The link provided has the (NHTSA) safety recommendations for motorcycle drivers. There are also links to related information and facts at the bottom of the page such as traffic data and relevant laws.
Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Miami-Dade, FL
If you have been in motorcycle accident it is highly advised you seek out legal counsel. Finding an experienced auto accident attorney should be the first step you take in protecting your rights. At Abrams Justice Trial Attorneys we have veteran trial attorneys who know what it takes to win cases. We will aggressively protect the interests of you and your loved ones.
Call us at (305) 709-0880 to make an appointment for a consultation. We are well versed in nearly all areas of the law and can help in almost any type of dispute. We serve the greater Miami-Dade area including Miami, Homestead, Hialeah, Pinecrest, Miami Gardens, Miami Beach, North Miami, Doral, Coral Gables, and Cutler Bay and are ready to help you take your next step.