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Lake City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

It’s estimated that motorcycle deaths occurred 28 times more frequently than fatalities in other types of vehicles. Motorcycle safety is a two-way street, as drivers need to exercise extra caution, but riders should always wear a helmet and ride sober. Injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident are often very serious, or even catastrophic in some cases.

This is one of the reasons having a Lake City motorcycle accident lawyer is so important. You need an attorney who understands motorcycle accidents and can help get you the compensation you deserve. At Douglas & Douglas, our team has years of experience litigating motorcycle accidents where a rider was injured due to someone else’s negligence.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calculated there were 5,286 motorcyclists killed in traffic collisions in 2016, which represented a 5.1 percent increase from the year before. Motorcyclists made up 14 percent of all traffic fatalities that year, and 94 percent were riders, while only six percent were passengers.

As with other types of accidents, environmental characteristics play a role in motorcycle accidents. In 2016, statistics show that:

  • 66 percent of motorcycle fatalities took place at non-intersection locations;
  • 57 percent of motorcycle fatalities occurred in urban areas;
  • 97 percent occurred during cloudy or clear conditions, with only two percent taking place in the rain and one percent in other conditions;
  • 59 percent took place during the day, while 36 percent took place in the dark, four percent at dusk, and one percent at dawn; and
  • 91 percent of fatalities took place on non-interstate roads, compared to nine percent on interstates.

Florida Helmet Law

Injuries and fatalities may be higher in Florida than in a number of other states due to the state’s helmet law requirements. Since 2000, Florida motorcycle riders do not have to ride with a helmet provided they meet two important criteria:

  • Rider must be at least 21 years of age; and
  • Have medical insurance with at least $10,000 in coverage.

This doesn’t necessarily translate to more additional fatalities, but it can increase the risk of serious injuries. Also, not wearing a helmet is not an absolute bar to recovery in the event you are in an accident that is not your fault. However, it does open the door for the defense to raise more arguments on why they owe less in compensation.

Florida is a pure comparative state, which means you can recover for a portion of your injuries, even if your failure to wear a helmet contributed to your injuries. For example, if a jury decides the other vehicle was 80 percent at fault and you were 20 percent at fault for not wearing a helmet, you will still collect 80 percent of your damages.

Retaining a Lake City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Because motorcycle accident cases are complex and typically involve serious injuries, it is important to have a personal injury attorney who has experience successfully litigating motorcycle accident claims. At Douglas & Douglas, we have a history of proven results when it comes to getting motorcycle accident victims the compensation they deserve. Contact our office today at 386-752-5511 to schedule a consultation.

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