Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcycle accident injuries run the spectrum from minor scrapes and bruises to the death of the motorcyclist or rider. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports that in more than 80% of motorcycle accidents - there is an injury or death to a motorcyclist or rider. This is quite a high and troubling statistic but one that makes sense. Unlike other motor vehicles, a motorcycle lacks crashworthiness and occupant safety features that can and do protect the occupants of passenger and commercial vehicles. Furthermore, a common feature of a motorcycle accident causing personal injuries involves the ejection of the rider or occupant from the motorcycle.

Another feature to motorcycle accidents that puts a motorcyclist at risk involves head injuries. Typically, occupants of a motor vehicle are not ejected from the vehicle and are otherwise protected to some extent via air bags and other safety features that can prevent or lessen the effects of a head injury. While a properly fitting and approved motorcycle helmet can help prevent and lessen some injuries, a motorcyclist and rider are put at a great risk for head injury than an occupant of a motor vehicle.

An injured motorcyclist may also struggle more with the payment of medical bills since PIP (Personal Injury Protection) insurance is not mandated or required in the State of Florida. As such, even when a motorcyclist is properly insured and otherwise operating the motorcycle with due care, the motorcyclist may be put in a bind when the motorcyclist is injured. There may be no immediate source of payment of medical bills associated with the motorcycle accident. While one would think that the at-fault driver's insurance company would step right up and cover the medical bills, the process does not work so smoothly. Without health insurance, there will be challenges to obtaining medical care and getting the medical bills covered; however, with the right medical provider in place, arrangements can be made to get treatment for motorcycle related injuries and have the provider paid through the proceeds of the settlement. This is generally referred to as a Letter of Protection (LOP) which is covered in other parts of the book.

Following a motorcycle accident, it is important for the motorcyclist to get timely treatment and evaluation from qualified doctors. At times, a motorcyclist, who by his or her lifestyle and demeanor, will try to tough out the personal injuries but declining medical care and delaying medical care. This can be a big mistake when it comes to the pursuit of a claim or case against an insurance company. If there is a delay and / or lack of treatment, insurance companies will assume that the personal injuries were not significant OR that the personal injuries were not even the result of the motorcycle accident. As such, timely treatment and follow up are recommended from both a medical and a claims standpoint.

Motorcycle accidents can be quite complex both by the mechanism of the accident, the injuries sustained, and the treatment needed. Because of the complexities of motorcycle accidents with associated injuries, it is best to contact a Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney for advice, guidance, and legal representation. Contact David A. Wolf for a Free Consultation. He is available days, nights, and weekends to answer your questions and get you the help you need. David A. Wolf is the author of 12 books and over 3,500 articles that focus on personal injury and safety issues including those involving motorcycle accidents.