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Motorcycle Accidents

Avvo Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Most motorcyclists are passionate about their sport. Whether they ride as an affordable way to commute, to enjoy the freedoms of getting away from it all over the weekend, to travel across country for charity rides, or to enjoy the rich history of vintage motorcycle brands, Floridians tend to be proud of their motorcycle culture. From cruisers to sport bikes, café racers to raked-out customs with ape hangers, you’ll find a variety of motorcycles and motorcyclists in central Florida.

As with anything, however, along with the good comes the bad. Due to these two-wheel vehicles’ lack of an outer protective structure, motorcycles are innately more dangerous to their users than other highway-appropriate vehicles. While many riders seek this feeling of open-air freedom, bikes are simply more hazardous. In the event of a collision with another vehicle, a guardrail, or the ground, riders often sustain serious and sometimes life-threatening injuries.

Florida Motorcycle Accidents 2016 to 2020

Central Florida Motorcycle Accidents: An All-Too-Common Occurrence

According to Florida’s Integrated Report Exchange System, almost ten thousand motorcycle crashes occurred over a recent twelve-month period. The result was 8,040 cyclist injuries and another 809 motorcycle passenger injuries. Tragically, these incidents resulted in 427 motorcyclist fatalities and 22 passenger fatalities.

Some of the most common types of motorcycle accidents are associated with the following:

  • Riding above one’s skill level
  • U-turn collisions
  • Vehicles pulling out in front of motorcycles
  • Blind-spot-related collisions
  • Drivers opening their doors into motorcyclist
  • Riders locking the motorcycle’s front break
  • Poor road conditions due to construction

Minor to Life-Threatening Injuries

These accidents can result in a number of injuries, many of which are life threatening or, at the very least, quality-of-life threatening. They include:

How The Legal System Can Help

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may qualify for compensation to cover bills, lost income, and other types of suffering. An experienced attorney will consider compensation to cover the following:

  • Hospital and clinic bills
  • Surgical fees
  • Medication costs
  • Out-patient rehabilitation expenses
  • Emotional distress
  • Mental anguish
  • High insurance deductibles
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of future earnings
  • Everyday household expenses
  • Mortgage payments
  • Loss of companionship or consortium
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Emotional distress

Orange County (Orlando) Motorcycle Accidents 2016 to 2020

Mounting medical bills, lost wages, physical pain, and emotional trauma can leave victims and their families feeling hopeless. James O. Cunningham and his dedicated legal staff, however, are here to help. We’re experienced in motorcycle accident settlements, as demonstrated by our successful courtroom record. Hand-in-hand with accident-scene reconstructionists, we work to determine and to prove the cause and fault of collisions. Moreover, we work with clients, vocational rehabilitation specialists, medical care professionals, and other experts in order to help our clients develop life-care plans, and we seek the maximum compensation possible.

Did you know that single-rider accidents do not necessarily preclude you from compensation? Moreover, even if a motor vehicle operator is partially at fault, in the state of Florida, the court may calculate percentages of fault and award compensation accordingly. As the interest of multiple party’s conflict, from motorcyclists to property owners, bike passengers to commercial-vehicle drivers, the complexity of the legal system can be stressful or even paralyzing to already overwhelmed motorcyclists and their families. James O. Cunningham is committed not only to winning cases but also to the comfort of his clients.

Unfortunately, some motorcycle accidents lead to fatalities. In the event that you’ve lost a husband, wife, son, daughter, or another loved one, please know that you aren’t alone. The Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. have a strong background in personal injury law, wrongful death lawsuits, and other types of cases related to fatal motorcycle accidents.

Prevention: Reduce Your Risk Of Motorcycle Accident Injuries

While there will always be dangers associated with riding a motorcycle, there are a number of precautions that riders can take in order to reduce their risks.

  • Take motorcycle safety classes including refresher courses.
  • Be aware of your surroundings at all time. Never ride when emotional or distracted.
  • Wear proper attire such as armored gear, durable footwear, and a DOT-compliant motorcycle helmet.
  • Leave extra space in the event that you might need to stop unexpectedly or maneuver to avoid a collision or roadway debris.
  • Avoid riding in inclement weather.
  • Educate your passengers on what to expect during their ride. Unless you’re an experienced rider, do not allow passengers on the back of your bike.

Gorgeous Central Florida Motorcycle Routes

Florida, the sunshine state, is ideal for motorcycling. Riders come from all over the country to enjoy the sights and sounds of the shoreline, the lush inlands, and more. Some of the local area residents’ favorite motorcycle routes include the following among many others:

  • Von Hoak Loop: Southeast of Tampa, motorcyclists enjoy the hills and turns of these roads less traveled.
  • Old Highway 50: Begin at Winter Garden’s petite yet bustling downtown and end in Minneola. If you’re looking for a scenic path with sections of twists, an ideal Sunday ride, locals might recommend this route.
  • Twisties: 53 miles of scenic orange groves, lakes, and hillsides in Central Florida.
  • Casey Key: Ride along the gulf from one beach to another.
  • St. Cloud to Melbourne via Highway 192: Cruise past livestock, fruit stands, and quaint towns.
  • Sebastian Loop: From wildlife to pubs, horses to coastal sightseeing, you’ll find it as you ride along the Indiatlantic River.

For most, motorcycling isn’t an isolated sport. It’s a way to bond with other like-minded people, and the state of Florida is known for its bike rallies and other cycle events. In fact, there’s something happening every month of the year. In January in Mascotte, riders partake in the Annual Benefit Dice Run. In February, bikers ride from across the country for the Iron & Clematis Vintage Motorcycle Festival. Charity events such as BABE Bikers Anti Bullying Educators and the Annual Pigs Against Pediatric Cancer Ride occur throughout the seasons, as well. These are only a few examples. Did you partake in the annual Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day in June?

Perhaps the most famous Florida bike event is the internationally renowned Biketoberfest, a festival riders have celebrated since 1937. Locals and tourists alike partake in live music, plentiful food and drink, and all-things motorcycle. Vendors display the best in apparel, the newest in technology, and the most stylish late model and antique bikes. Moreover, visitors witness professional riders compete in the Daytona International Speedway races. The best of Biketoberfest rides include Steel Horse Scoot, which runs between DeLand and Daytona Beach; the Navigation Tour, reaching from Halifax River to St. John’s River; the River to River Tour, which runs from Halifax River to St. John’s River; among others.

Florida Motorcycle Accidents by Age and Gender

What To Do If You’ve Been In An Accident

We hope that it never happens, but if you’re a motorcycle enthusiast, a seasoned rider, or an out-of-state visitor in the area for Bike Week or Daytona Beach Biketoberfest and you’ve been injured in a roadway accident, seek medical attention immediately. This is first and foremost for your health and safety, but these medical records will also be an important part of building your case. Remember that even seemingly minor injuries can lead to career and/or life threatening conditions such as chronic headaches, severe neck problems, limited motion, loss of sensation, dangerous infections, psychological trauma, and more.

If you’ve been in a serious motorcycle accident, you’ll need experienced legal guidance. We’ve been serving the greater Orlando area since 1977, and we have convenient office locations in several Florida counties, such as Seminole County, Volusia County, Citrus County, Polk County, Osceola County, and more:

  • Orlando (500 Delaney Avenue #404 in Orlando)
  • Cocoa (96 Willard Street, Suite 206)
  • Mt. Dora
  • Lake Mary (300 International Parkway #100)
  • Kissimmee (17 S. Orlando Ave.)
  • Clermont (3721 S Hwy 27, Suite A)
  • Daytona Beach (1301 Beville Rd., Suite 8)
  • DeBary (465 Summerhaven Drive, Suite C)
  • Deland (120 South Woodland Blvd.)
  • Titusville (506 S. Palm Ave.)
  • Inverness (110 North Apopka Ave.)
  • Lakeland (1102 S. Florida Ave., Suite 104)
  • Winter Haven (325 Avenue A, N.W.)
  • Tampa (100 S. Edison St. Suite D)
  • Fruitland Park (3420 U.S. Hwy. 27/441)
Map of Florida

We are compassionate professionals who aggressively seek the compensation that victims need. Contact us at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) to schedule an appointment at the Florida office most convenient for you and yours. Allow us to simplify the legal process, assist you in your life-care plan, and get you back to the lifestyle and quality of life that you’ve worked hard to obtain.

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  • 5 StarsMotorcycle Accident

    A car turned in front of me causing me to spend 2 days in the hospital with surgery. They had only minimum coverage. My insurance even claimed I had no uninsured motorist coverage. I was sure I was in for a long battle. I had never stayed in the hospital, hired an attorney or met James before. Did some online searching and gave him a call. James came through like a champ. Best phone call I’ve ever made.

    - Gordon, a Personal Injury client