Fort Lauderdale provides the perfect climate for motorcycle riders nearly year-round. Moderate, warm temperatures invite the freedom of an open road. Unfortunately, Fort Lauderdale also ranks as one of the state’s most dangerous places for motor vehicle accidents, with the third-highest traffic accident rate. Motorcycle operators and their passengers are at particular risk of severe injuries and death resulting from crashes, especially in accidents involving other vehicles. If you or someone you love has been seriously injured or killed in a motorcycle crash due to someone else’s negligence, you need the help of a Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyer.
The experienced Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyers at Kaiser Romanello are skilled at investigating motorcycle crashes to gather evidence to establish liability. We have more than 20 years of experience to ensure you are fairly represented in a personal injury or wrongful death claim resulting from a motorcycle accident.
Our Fort Lauderdale office serves clients throughout South Florida, including Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. Call us today at (844) 877-8679.
Why Choose Kaiser Romanello for Your Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Claim?
The legal team at Kaiser Romanello P.A. is experienced in handling Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident claims involving catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Motorcycle operators often sustain severe injuries in crashes.
Our team of personal injury lawyers has nearly half a century of combined experience handling these cases and knows what to look for when investigating a claim to seek maximum compensation.
Our main office is in Fort Lauderdale, and our attorneys make themselves accessible to you throughout the litigation process. There is no cost or obligation to talk to one of our personal injury attorneys.
Contact us today for a free consultation and evaluation of your case.
Our Fort Lauderdale Office Location and Headquarters
Kaiser Romanello P.A. is located at 11555 Heron Bay Boulevard in Broward County, Florida, approximately 23 miles north of Miami and 42 miles south of Palm Beach. You can call us at 954-827-0472 to meet with one of our personal injury attorneys to discuss your claim.
Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), on its Florida Crash Dashboard, reports 276,492 crashes in the state as of September 2023, accounting for 2,331 deaths and 176,029 injuries. Broward County reported 28,249 crashes with 135 fatalities and 17,264 injuries.
There were 9,253 motorcycle crashes statewide as of September 2023, with 604 motorcycle fatalities. Broward County accounted for 535 of those crashes and 26 fatalities.
Nationwide, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 6,084 motorcyclists died in crashes in one recent year. This is the highest number of motorcyclist crash deaths in a single year since NHTSA began collecting fatal motor vehicle crash data in 1975. These stats also mark a 21 percent increase since 2019. Motorcycle deaths accounted for 14 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2021 and were nearly triple the number of motorcyclist deaths in 1997.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Given the vulnerability of motorcyclists, drivers of other vehicles must stay vigilant to share the road safely with motorcycles and reduce the risk of accidents in South Florida. Since motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles, other drivers may overlook them, increasing the risk of a crash.
The most reported causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Distracted Driving: Motorists using cell phones, texting, eating, or engaging in other distractions can fail to notice motorcycles sharing the road.
- Reckless Driving: Car and truck drivers’ speed, aggressive driving, and other reckless behaviors can endanger motorcyclists.
- Lane Changes and Merging: When drivers fail to check their blind spots or signal properly while changing lanes or merging onto highways, they may collide with motorcycles.
- Left-Turn Accidents: Car and truck drivers turning left at intersections often fail to yield the right of way to oncoming motorcycles, resulting in collisions.
- Impaired Driving: Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs have impaired judgment and reaction times, increasing the likelihood of accidents involving motorcycles.
- Road Conditions: Poorly maintained roads, potholes, and debris can contribute to motorcycle accidents. South Florida’s frequent rain showers and sudden weather changes can create slippery road conditions, reducing traction and increasing the risk of accidents.
- Dooring Accidents: Motorcycles can collide with car doors that drivers or passengers parked on the side of the road suddenly open.
- Motorcycle Defects: Mechanical failures or defects in the motorcycle, such as faulty brakes or tires, can lead to accidents.
- Driver Blind Spots: Motorcycles are smaller and can be easily overlooked in a driver’s blind spot, increasing the risk of collisions during lane changes or merging.
- Sudden Stops: If a car or truck suddenly stops in front of a motorcycle, it may not have sufficient time to brake and avoid a collision.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
While there’s no standard motorcycle accident, what remains consistent is their violent nature. According to NHTSA, over 80 percent of all motorcycle accidents result in injury or death for motorcycle operators or passengers.
Motorcycles don’t offer protection against head injuries or other bodily injury. Riders and passengers are usually ejected from the motorcycle in a crash, causing them to forcefully collide with objects along the way, including the ground.
Frequent injuries resulting from a motorcycle crash include:
- Head Injuries: Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI), are a significant concern. Even with helmets, head injuries can still occur.
- Road Rash: Abrasions and lacerations, known as road rash, result from friction between the rider’s skin and the road surface during a crash. This injury can be severe, depending on the speed and circumstances of the accident.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: Motorcyclists often suffer from fractures and broken bones, particularly in the legs, arms, and collarbone, due to the impact with the ground or other vehicles.
- Biker’s Arm: This term describes nerve damage or paralysis in the arm caused by the reflex to brace during a fall.
- Leg Injuries: Leg injuries, including fractures, dislocations, and severe contusions, are common due to the exposed position of a motorcyclist’s legs.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis, depending on the location and severity of the spinal cord damage.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma can cause damage to internal organs, leading to internal bleeding or organ dysfunction.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, and muscle injuries, especially in the neck and back, are common in motorcycle accidents.
- Burns: Contact with hot motorcycle parts or the road surface can result in severe burns.
- Emotional Trauma: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and emotional distress can affect the rider’s mental well-being.
- Eye Injuries: Injuries to the eyes, including foreign object penetration, can occur in motorcycle accidents.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death refers to a legal claim or lawsuit that can be filed when an individual loses their life due to another party’s negligence, recklessness, or wrongful actions in a motorcycle accident.
This legal concept allows the surviving family members or beneficiaries of the deceased person to seek compensation for the financial and emotional losses they suffered from the death.
The emotional nature makes these cases particularly difficult to handle.
Key points to understand about wrongful death from a legal standpoint in a motorcycle crash:
- Legal Basis: Plaintiffs base wrongful death claims on the premise that the deceased person would not have died but for another party’s negligent or wrongful actions.
- Eligibility to File: In Florida, the deceased’s estate can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of surviving spouses, children, parents, and other dependents.
- Compensation: Damages a wrongful death claim can recover include funeral and burial expenses, medical bills related to the deceased’s final injury or illness, lost financial support, loss of companionship, and emotional distress.
- Burden of Proof: The party bringing the wrongful death claim (the plaintiff) must prove that the defendant’s negligence or wrongful actions were a direct cause of the fatal motorcycle accident.
- Statute of Limitations: There is a time limit within which a wrongful death claim must be filed, known as the statute of limitations. In Florida, this is usually two years from the death.
- Defendants: Parties who may be held liable in a motorcycle wrongful death claim can include the driver of another vehicle, a manufacturer in cases involving defective motorcycle parts, or even a government entity if road conditions played a role in the accident.
- Punitive Damages: The defendant may need to pay punitive damages for particularly egregious conduct or a willful disregard for safety.
- Settlement or Trial: Wrongful death cases can resolve through a negotiated settlement or trial. Many cases settle out of court to avoid the emotional toll of a trial.
Consult an experienced attorney who focuses on wrongful death and personal injury cases to explain the surviving family members’ legal rights.
A skilled motorcycle accident lawyer will pursue the compensation they deserve following a motorcycle crash that results in a tragic loss of life.
Who May Be Held Liable for a Motorcycle Accident?
Determining liability in a motorcycle accident often requires a thorough investigation and legal expertise. Your motorcycle accident lawyers will investigate what happened, collect documents related to the crash, like the official police accident report and medical records, talk to witnesses and the other parties involved in the crash, and negotiate with the insurance company for a potential settlement.
Liable parties in a motorcycle accident may include:
- Other Drivers: Many motorcycle accidents involve the negligence of other drivers, such as car or truck drivers. Common examples of driver negligence include failing to yield, distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Motorcycle Manufacturer: If a defect in the motorcycle’s design or manufacturing contributed to the accident or worsened the injuries, you can hold the manufacturer liable.
- Road Authorities: Poor road conditions, inadequate signage, or lack of proper maintenance on the roadway can contribute to motorcycle accidents. If these issues result from the negligence of a government agency or contractor responsible for road upkeep, you can hold them liable.
- Bar or Restaurant Owners: In cases involving alcohol-related accidents, establishments that over-serve alcohol to someone who crashed into a motorcyclist may face liability under dram shop laws.
- Employers: If a driver crashes into a motorcycle rider while on the clock and performing their work responsibilities, the motorcyclist can hold the driver’s employer liable for the accident.
- Third Parties: You can hold other parties, such as contractors or maintenance companies, liable if their actions or negligence contributed to the accident—for example, if loose debris from a construction site causes a motorcycle crash.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Case in Fort Lauderdale?
Florida’s statute of limitations for a personal injury or wrongful death claim is typically two years. If you don’t file your claim within the required timeframe, you may lose your right to seek compensation. Your lawyer will advise you about the statute of limitations as it applies to your claim.
How Much Does a Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorney Cost?
Kaiser Romanello works with clients on a contingency fee basis, making our fees depend on the case’s successful outcome. Contingency fee arrangements level the playing field, making it possible for individuals to obtain fair compensation from a big insurance company and its team of lawyers.
There are no upfront costs to you. The attorney only gets paid if we obtain a favorable settlement or win the case in court. Contingency fee arrangements also align the attorney’s interests with the client’s by incentivizing the attorney to secure the best possible outcome, tying their fee to the case’s success.
Contact Kaiser Romanello Today
If you suffered a severe personal injury due to a motorcycle accident, or if a loved one dies in a motorcycle crash, contact the experienced team of Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers at Kaiser Romanello today.
A serious motorcycle accident can leave you with catastrophic physical and emotional injuries, medical costs, chronic pain, reduced quality of life, and lost wages. We have more than 20 years of experience and know what to look for in establishing liability for your motorcycle accident claim.
Kaiser Romanello P.A. offers a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with our lawyers to evaluate your potential claim. Call us today at (844) 877-8679 to set up a free consultation, or fill out the contact form on our website.
Put our legal team to work for you, and stop worrying about the future. We will fight for maximum compensation for you.
