Motorcycle accidents lead to some of the most devastating injuries for victims, as Florida statistics show. When someone leaves the scene of a motorcycle accident, these victims may be left with no help, both in the immediate aftermath as well as later when needing financial assistance for their injuries. The Miami motorcycle accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon help victims explore their legal options following a hit and run motorcycle accident. We understand the complex issues that these victims and their families face when a driver flees after a collision. Our attorneys assist people in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties, as well as throughout South Florida, during the initial investigative activities until the resolution of a claim. If you or someone in your family has been injured in a hit and run motorcycle crash, contact our office today for a free consultation about your legal rights and options.
Hit and Run Motorcycle Accidents and Establishing ResponsibilityMotorcyclists and their passengers are more likely to suffer permanent or even fatal injuries in a collision with another motor vehicle. In fact, one in five deaths that occur in highway accidents involve a motorcyclist, even though motorcycles only make up seven percent of the vehicles on the road. Given this high propensity for serious injuries, leaving the scene of a motorcycle accident is more than just irresponsible and illegal; it may also result in a victim’s death.
A ‘hit and run’ accident refers to when one of the drivers involved in a collision fails to remain at the scene. Florida law requires motorists who have been in a crash that resulted in an injury to another person to stop as soon and as close to the collision as possible. The parties involved are also required to give any injured individuals their name, address, vehicle registration, and driver’s license number. When someone is injured in a motorcycle accident, an uninsured person must give reasonable assistance to help the victim receive necessary medical attention. If a serious injury renders a victim unable to communicate, or a fatality occurs, an uninjured party must contact law enforcement immediately.
Drivers involved in a motorcycle accident may leave the scene for numerous reasons, such as when they are driving drunk, driving without insurance, or simply unaware that they hit a motorcyclist at all. Regardless of the reason, drivers who flee can face both criminal and civil penalties. Both motorcycle operators and their passengers are owed a duty of reasonable care from other motorists. A breach of this duty through negligence is the basis of most personal injury and wrongful death actions.
Unfortunately, hit and run accident cases are sometimes difficult because the drivers responsible cannot always be found. However, victims still have options in recovering compensation in the form of benefits from their own insurance policies. Florida is a no-fault state, which means that insurance companies do not take into account who was to blame for an accident when paying on a policy. Therefore, victims can make a no-fault claim with their own insurer. Given the complexity of hit and run crashes, it is vital to consult an experienced attorney who can help you pursue the correct actions both with filing insurance claims and with seeking to locate an at-fault driver.
Discuss Your Options with a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in the Miami AreaVictims injured in hit and run motorcycle accidents often have many questions regarding what to do next in order to recover the compensation that they need to pay for medical bills, lost income, and other expenses related to their injuries. The Miami attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon are available to answer any questions that you may have in the aftermath of a serious motorcycle accident. If you have been injured or have lost a loved one as a result of a reckless hit and run driver, you can call our office today at 877.499.4878 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about how we can help. We also represent people in Miami, West Palm Beach, and other cities across South Florida.