Side-impact motorcycle accidents are some of the most traumatic types of accidents for motorcyclists. In these cases, the motorcyclist can suffer life-threatening injuries. Survivors of side impact motorcycle accidents, or the surviving family of a victim, can be left with thousands of dollars of debt. The team at Weinstein Legal won't let you struggle alone.
Contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney near you today if you or someone you love was injured in a side impact motorcycle accident accident accident.
What is A Side Impact Motorcycle Accident?
Side impact motorcycle accidents occur when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle. These types of collisions are also known as T-bone accidents, which happen because the formation of the crash at the point of impact forms a "T" shape.
Additionally, T-bone accidents can be referred to as broadside collisions. Oftentimes, police reports, eyewitness accounts, and even insurance reports will use these terms interchangeably, so it's important to realize that these types of impact crashes are the same thing.
What Happens to a Motorcyclist During a T-Bone Collision?
Side impact accidents between two vehicles can have devastating results, but even more so when one of the vehicles is a motorcycle. When a driver or passenger of a car or truck is involved in a T-bone collision, there are a number of protections in place to protect the vehicle's occupants. The door of the vehicle, side and front impact airbags, seat belts, and the steel frame of the vehicle, all shield occupants from the blow. However, a motorcyclist does not have anywhere near as close protection as a vehicle.
While ejections from a motor vehicle are not very common for passenger motor vehicle accidents, ejections are prevalent among side-impact motorcycle accidents. Even the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that "ejection from the motorcycle is a common injury pathway."
Victims of a T-bone collision often suffer injuries such as:
- Burns
- Road rash
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injury
- Emotional trauma
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Facial injuries or disfigurement
Why Do Broadside Motorcycle Accidents Occur?
Much like any other type of motor vehicle accident, broadside motorcycle accidents have a variety of causes. For one, the driver of another vehicle may negligently run through a yield sign, stop sign, or traffic signal. In turn, this violates the motorcyclist's right of way and causes a broadside collision.
However, the most commonly cited reason for a side impact motorcycle accident is the driver of a motor vehicle claiming he or she did not see the motorcycle. Intersections are the most common locations for these types of broadside accidents. In 2016, 43 percent of two-vehicle fatal motorcycle crashes involved a vehicle turning left while the motorcyclist was going straight, passing, or overtaking the vehicle.
Generally speaking, if a side-impact collision occurred, one driver acted in a negligent manner. Some of the most common examples of driver negligence that can lead to broadside accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Intoxicated driving
- Making an unsafe lane change
- Speeding through a parking lot
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Failing to yield when entering or exiting a highway
Motorcycle Accidents and Liability in Florida
Motorcycles are not recognized as motor vehicles under Florida's no-fault law, and the state does not require motorcyclists to carry insurance that provides Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Therefore, your automobile PIP coverage will not cover you for the first $10,000.00 of medical treatment if you are involved in a motorcycle accident.
However, Florida law entitles all accident victims to be compensated for the full value of their damages. If a motorcyclist suffers serious or permanent injuries in a collision, they are legally permitted to bring a claim directly against the at-fault driver. When driver negligence leads to a side-impact motorcycle accident, the team at Weinstein Legal is prepared to help you prove the liable driver failed to uphold the standard of care expected of a reasonable driver.
Attorneys Familiar with Side Impact Accidents
When a negligent driver causes a side impact accident for you or a loved one, you need an experienced motorcycle attorney by your side. At Weinstein Legal, our trusted motorcycle accident attorneys in Florida have helped many victims fight for their right to a full and fair settlement. From proving liability to calculating damages such as medical bills, pain and suffering, and the cost of future care, our attorneys are here to help.
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