Florida Motorcycle Intersection Crash Attorneys
Motorcycle Intersection Accident
Intersections attract a high number of accidents for a number of reasons. One of the major reasons is red light running, which occurs when a motorist sees a light changing and tries to beat it by speeding through the light as it changes or already has changed.
Motorists are more likely to be injured in urban crashes involving red light running than in other types of urban crash.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that in 20% of fatal intersection crashes, the drivers involved failed to obey the traffic signals. Injuries occurred in 39 percent of crashes involving running a traffic light. This was the highest proportion of any crash type.
In 2008, 762 people were killed and an estimated 137,000 were injured in crashes that involved red light running.
Intersection collisions are particularly hazardous to motorcyclists because they have no metal cage around them for protection. The rider's body is vulnerable from all sides without the added safety provided by air bags, seat belts, and a steel cage. In a collision with an automobile, about 80 percent of motorcycle accidents end in injury or death, compared with 20 percent of automobile accidents.
How can red light jumpers be of particular hazard to a motorcycle? In a typical scenario, the motorcyclist approaches the intersection and signals to turn left. The red light runner, going straight, slams into the biker, pinning him under the car or pushing him into oncoming traffic. As an evasive action, some bikers will lay their bike down. Regardless, it is sometimes too late to avoid a collision with a motorist who may not be paying attention.
In fact, motorcyclists are 32 times more likely to die in a crash than someone in a passenger vehicle. If the biker does not wear a helmet, the odds against him or her are even higher.
The Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
According to statistical research, the majority of motorcycle accidents involve collisions with other vehicles, mostly at intersections. Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Driver failure to yield right-of-way to a motorcyclist
- Driver does not see the motorcyclist
- Driver or biker are speeding
- Driver makes a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle
- View of the motorcyclist or driver is obstructed by glare, other vehicles or bushes
- Mechanical Failure
- Adverse weather conditions
- Unmarked road construction or potholes, oil slicks, debris
- Distracted drivers on the cell phone or changing the radio
- Alcohol/drug influence
With a Jacksonville motorcycle crash, if there is a defect to the bike, such as a leak in the fuel system, it can present an additional risk of fire.
Farah and Farah has lawyers who are trained in Florida intersection accidents with over 25 year of experience in gaining compensation for those injured. We understand that more often than not, motorcyclists are the victims of motorists, even thought the motorist may try to blame the biker. A rider seriously injured by a motorist's carelessness, or a distracted motorist, has the right to hold that driver responsible in a court of law.
Please visit our Jacksonville Motorcycle Accident Website for more info.
Our personal promise: Accident victims have specific rights, but by law you have a limited time to take action. When you use our team at Farah & Farah, there are NO up-front charges.
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Our fee is a percentage of the money awarded payable only when your case is successfully concluded. No matter how many times you call and how long we talk, there is NO CHARGE or cost until your case settles. Do not sign any releases, agreements or give any statements until you have spoken with us about your legal rights. When it comes to getting you more, we won't settle for less!
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