Those who have experienced a motorcycle accident may not realize how their case differs from a normal automobile accident case. But in actuality, each case has significant differences that could cost the injured person a lot of money if they’re not addressed by a motorcycle accident attorney.
If you use a motorcycle as your main form of transportation, you need to understand the importance of hiring a lawyer who has experience with motorcycle injuries in case you are ever seriously injured in an accident. The right lawyer will understand the differences between motorcycle and car accident injuries, insurance coverage, and case proceedings and guide you successfully through your personal injury case.
Keep reading to gain a better understanding of how motorcycle accidents and car accidents differ and why hiring an experienced attorney is so important to your personal injury claim.
The Differences Between Motorcycle and Car Accident Injuries
Many motorcyclists falsely believe that they are at a lower risk of injury than someone driving a car, but unfortunately, the statistics from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tell a different story. According to the NHTSA, a motorcyclist’s risk of injury is six times higher than that of a person driving a car. Even more sobering, a person on a motorcycle faces 27 times the likelihood of death following a crash versus someone in a car.
If a motorcyclist does survive their crash, their injuries are likely to be much more severe than those of someone who was driving a car. While both car and motorcycle drivers are at risk for severe injuries, motorcyclists commonly face much more severe injuries, including the loss of their limbs.
Motorcyclists are also at risk of road rash, which is less likely to affect those in a car unless the driver or passengers are thrown from the vehicle. Many motorcycle riders described the pain of road rash as much worse than their fractures and other injuries.
In general, motorcyclists are at risk for more long-term and life-altering injuries, which means that they are facing higher medical bills, lost wages, or even permanent disability. When dealing with such consequences, a reliable and experienced personal injury lawyer is imperative to an injury claim.
The Differences Between Motorcycle and Car Accident Insurance Coverage
Aside from motorcycle accident injuries usually being much more severe than car accident injuries, the insurance requirements for driving each vehicle might be different depending on which state you live in.
For example, Florida is a no-fault state, which means that all licensed drivers are required to purchase personal injury protection. Personal injury protection guarantees that the insurance company will pay for your medical bills and property damage, regardless of who is at fault in an accident. Unfortunately, the no-fault law in Florida does not apply to motorcyclists.
So unless the motorcycle rider purchased more than the minimum amount of insurance coverage, their insurance company might not pay a high enough amount to cover all of the injuries the rider suffered. Consequently, it is much more important for those who were injured in a motorcycle accident to be able to prove the negligence of the other driver that was involved in the accident.
Because auto accidents and motorcycle accident cases have some significant differences, you need to hire a personal injury lawyer who specializes in motorcycle accidents. A motorcycle accident lawyer will be familiar with local laws and regulations regarding motorcycles, as well as the proceedings of a motorcycle injury case. This important knowledge could be the difference between winning and losing your personal injury case.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in the Miami, FL, area, contact the Law Offices of David A. Helfand P.A., for an initial consultation.
