Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorney
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Motorcycle Accident Attorney |

Motorcycle Safety Tips from Peter Fonda and Evel Knievel – Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

People who have lived in the Fort Lauderdale area for many years may remember that Evel Knievel, possibly the most famous daredevil in history, once owned a home in the northeast part of the city and was often seen out and about at area restaurants. Evel performed over 75 dangerous jumps on his motorcycle over the course of his career and somehow survived them all.

Many people may also remember an iconic movie released in 1969 about two hippies who traveled across the country on their motorcycles starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper titled Easy Rider. Mr. Fonda passed away last month.

Mr. Knievel and Mr. Fonda were both well-known for their connections to motorcycles but many people don’t know they collaborated on a film about motorcycle safety in the 1970s that we found on YouTube recently. It’s very good!

Evel Knievel makes several very good points in the film that we have stressed for years because we seen the serious injuries sustained by motorcyclists who come to us for help. Mr. Knievel was a bold and truly unique individual and we strongly recommend no one attempt his stunts as he was seriously injured many times. We are strong advocates for riding safely and with the proper equipment.

Regarding recreational riding, Mr. Knievel says in the video:

  • He never rides without leather (clothing) boots, and gloves.
  • Always wear glasses or a face shield because debris can fly in your face and you could be blinded.
  • Head injuries are involved with 3 out of 4 motorcycle accident deaths, so always wear a helmet.
  • If you’re riding an unfamiliar motorcycle for the first time, take time to “know” the bike before you take it out on the road. Not all motorcycles have their controls set up the same way.

Mr. Fonda offer some excellent advice about how to approach an intersection and how to ride when you’re on a highway. He reminds us all that people driving automobiles don’t usually see motorcyclists and the most common accident is when they turn in front of an oncoming rider. The only thing both Mr. Knievel and Mr. Fonda don’t mention is distracted driving by people with cell phones, because they didn’t exist at the time the film was made!

The film even has a true-false quiz at the end to test if you were paying attention.

Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been representing victims of motorcycle accidents for 27 years and we understand how to approach and handle each case. We fight hard to get the maximum compensation allowed by law for injuries, damages, and lost time from work. Call us at (954) 356-0006 if you have any questions.

The information in this video is not intended to be a replacement for training from a professional, certified motorcycle safety instructor. We recommend all riders participate in ongoing training at a certified training center.

 

 

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Motorcycle Accident Attorney |

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month – Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Injury Attorneys

The 3 states with the most fatalities involving motorcycles are Florida, California, and Texas (in that order) but Florida is smaller in population than the other two states and the reasons are not entirely clear why we have such a bad record. Florida has possibly the best climate year-round for riding motorcycles, and so there are more on the road, but we also have a lot of rain which causes slippery roads. Florida has more tourists who are naturally unfamiliar with the roads and that doesn’t help.

We are convinced that if Florida drivers are educated about the need to slow down and drive with caution we can lower the serious motorcycle injuries and deaths that occur every year.

Statistics show that the number one cause for a motorcycle vs. other motor vehicle crash is that the other vehicle just “didn’t see” the motorcycle. Drivers of cars and trucks are either distracted by something else (texting, for example) or they just don’t take the time to look carefully.

The top two causes of crashes are (1) a driver pulls out into traffic without making sure the way is clear and safe, and (2) a driver turns in front of an oncoming motorcyclist and causes a collision.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched a campaign many years ago called “Look Twice, Save a Life” and we believe that is something every driver in Florida Motorcycle Injury Attorneysshould make a habit of doing every time we are behind the wheel. When you pull out into traffic look to see it’s clear and then look again. It may save a life.

When you approach an intersection that is not the time to look at your phone, in fact your phone should be turned off and out of sight. Watch carefully for vehicles entering the intersection. If you are turning, you may turn in front of a motorcyclist.

515 motorcyclists died on Florida roads and highways in 2017 and each one of those deaths could have and should have been prevented. 7,725 motorcyclists were injured, and many are now permanently disabled.

Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Injury Attorneys

Injuries resulting from motorcycle crashes are particularly serious, and victims often require extensive surgeries, long-term hospitalization, and sometimes a lifetime of follow-up care. It’s important in the time immediately following a motorcycle crash for victims to seek the help of an experienced attorney, one who has experience with motorcycle crashes and injuries. The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus is a small firm dedicated to handling serious cases with personal attention to clients. We understand the trauma and pain victims experience because we have handled so many cases in the past, and today.

Our most important goal is to protect your rights to receive compensation for your injuries and the treatment you need to return to a normal life. When you call our firm at (954) 356-0006 you will speak directly with Mr. Gary Lazarus, an attorney with a reputation for fighting hard and getting results. You can click here to see the online reviews for Mr. Lazarus.

Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle Injuries – Don’t “Walk it Off” – Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

If you ride, you know that automobile drivers and truck drivers just don’t take the time to scan the roadway and make it possible for them to see you or your motorcycle. The number one cause of motorcycle vs other vehicle collisions is the failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic. Car and truck drivers pull out into traffic without looking both ways, they don’t look twice, and they often misjudge the speed of oncoming traffic, especially motorcycles.

Eighty percent of all motorcycle collisions result in injury or death, but many of the more “minor” accidents are not reported and often the motorcyclist with a sore knee or neck will just walk it off and go home with a scratch on the helmet or gas tank and chalk it up to experience. That’s not a prudent move.

Often injuries sustained in traffic collisions don’t become apparent until hours or even days later. That “stiff neck” may actually be a serious injury that will torment you for years to come. A sore South Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorneysknee could actually be a torn ligament that will require expensive surgery to repair.

Some motorcyclists will refer to hitting their head on the pavement as “having their bell rung” but traumatic brain injuries are very serious and often have life-long detrimental effects including headaches, dizziness, and even internal bleeding.

If you’re in a motorcycle accident that was caused by someone else’s carelessness, do not treat it like a minor incident. Take the time to report the accident to the authorities and document everything that happened. If there are witnesses to the event, speak with them and ask for their contact information. Take photographs if you can of the accident scene, the other vehicle(s), damage to your motorcycle, and any external injuries. Get yourself checked out by a doctor right away and be very thorough about describing your aches and injuries.

Finally, but very important: Contact a personal injury attorney. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident you have rights, but it’s important to understand what to do to make sure they are protected. Waiting can cause a lapse in evidence that may be available only for a short time. Documenting injuries and damage should be done promptly. Witnesses can leave the area or lose their recollections of events. There are statutes of limitations.

South Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

The main job of a personal injury attorney is to protect your rights and to see that you receive all appropriate care and compensation for physical injuries, mental and psychological harm, and financial damages that were the fault of someone else. Doing so requires extreme effort because insurance companies don’t like paying out money and we often have to fight them to live up to their duties and responsibilities. We’re on your side from the first consultation, which you can arrange by calling (954) 356-0006.

Motorcycle Accident Attorney
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Why Don’t Drivers See Motorcycles? Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle Accident AttorneyIf you speak with a police officer who has investigated a lot of car vs. motorcycle accidents, they will tell you that 90% of the automobile drivers say the same thing about what happened: “I didn’t see him.”

Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Why don’t people see motorcycles? There are several reasons, but first let’s look at the most common types of accidents:

The single most dangerous situation for motorcyclists occurs when cars are making left-hand turns. These collisions account for 42% of all accidents involving a motorcycle and car. Other types are

Unsafe Lane Changes by Cars
Sudden Stops by Cars
Cars and Trucks Running into the Rear of a Motorcycle

What is the most common reason for the above types of accidents?

We opened with this: The single most common reason given by drivers is “I didn’t see the motorcycle.”

Do these drivers have vision problems? Are they careless? Are they distracted? Are they impaired? It could be any or all of these, but a very interesting article in Road and Track magazine says:

The first thing to understand is that our eyes don’t see very much. We tend to think of eyes as cameras, but in reality they are biological devices with considerable limitations. If you could see a raw feed of the image sent to your brain by your eye at any given time, you’d be horrified. It’s mostly blurry, it has a blind spot near the middle, and it’s upside down.

Luckily for us, our eyes are constantly in motion, even when we think we are looking straight ahead. They send several pictures every second to the brain, which then assembles the best and sharpest parts from each picture into a mental image. That’s what we see. When you read the print on this page or screen, your eyes are flicking all over that page or screen, assembling a complete picture that you can then read.

Think of an old-school radar screen. There’s a bright green line that tells you what the radar is seeing at that very moment, and it sweeps in a circle, continually refreshing the screen. Compared with the human eye, the line is the small area it can focus and see at any given time, and the whole screen is the image we have in our minds.

Many motorcyclists think they can stay safe by avoiding the other driver’s “blind spots” and that is a common philosophy, but now that we understand the way the human eye works, combined with the issues of distraction, carelessness, and drunk drivers, isn’t it better to assume everything is the other driver’s blind spot? Isn’t it better to assume you are invisible to every driver?

Rather than being surprised when a driver makes a totally bone-headed move, isn’t it better to expect it? To be prepared for it? Drive like you’re invisible because in reality, you are. We will always promote the “Look Twice, Save a Life” campaigns and we hope they make a difference but all motorcyclists must take the initiative to ride safe.

If you’ve been involved in an accident involving a motorcycle, please fell free to reach out and ask us questions. Motorcycle accident cases require a special expertise when it comes to understanding the causes and how to pursue compensation for victims. Please call us at 954-356-0006 for a free consultation.

 

 

| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Motorcycle Accident Attorney |

Motorcyclists: Two Things Can Help Protect You

The latest numbers are out and Florida continues to hold the dubious distinction of being the most deadly state for motorcycle accidents.  According to AAA, motorcycle deaths rose 30 percent in Florida, between 2014 and 2015. In 2015, Florida holds the top spot for the number of motorcycle accident fatalities, at 606.

So what are we going to do about this?

We are proponents of the “look twice, save a life” program which urges drivers to pause and check two times to make sure there is not a motorcycle coming before they pull out into traffic. Also, we stress constantly that drivers should never text and drive – these two things are responsible for thousands of fatal motorcycle accidents every year.

What can motorcyclists do? Two things: Skill, and Gear.

Skill: Even the most advanced and experienced riders need to occasionally take a safety course. Airline pilots receive constant instruction and testing to keep their skills fine-tuned. Motorcyclists need to do the same. In south Florida, contact the Safety Council of the Palm Beaches  or click here to find courses all over the state of Florida.

Never drink and ride. Don’t speed.

Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident AttorneyGear: According to the National Safety Council, A helmet is the most important equipment a biker can use. In 2015, 1,922 motorcyclists who died were not wearing a helmet.

Helmets are estimated to be 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries for operators and 41% for passengers, and they saved an estimated 1,772 lives in 2015, according to Injury Facts® 2017. An additional 740 lives could have been saved that year if all had worn helmets.

Wear a protective jacket designed for motorcycle riders. Wear proper gloves. Choose a bike that’s the right size for you, and invest in anti-lock brakes.

Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Serious motorcycle accidents have been a major part of our law practice for over 20 years, and we have represented hundreds of victims. We help injured people get their lives back after devastating injuries, getting them the maximum compensation for their pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost work.

Call us at 954-356-0006 to arrange a confidential conversation with our attorneys.

| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Motorcycle Accident Attorney |

Roadwork is a Major Hazard for Motorcycles

Up north, roadwork is done primarily in the spring and summer months, but in south Florida it’s a year round project. As we all know, it never seems to end! Everyone needs to be more careful in work zones, for our safety, the worker’s safety, and for other drivers as well.

Motorcycles are particularly vulnerable to uneven surfaces and sudden, unfamiliar detours. When roads are designed, they are usually planned with plenty of space to prepare for curves and changes in roadway elevations. When road crews are laying out temporary detours, there is often not such meticulous planning, and all drivers are startled by big orange signs.

Experienced motorcyclists know that the surface of a roadway is critical to how a bike handles, effects stopping distances, and how a sudden turn can turn into a slide along the pavement.

Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney

According to the Federal Highway Administration, an average of 700 motorists die each year in approximately 70,000 work zone crashes. This accounts for about 2 percent of all traffic fatalities in a given year. Of those fatalities, around 10 percent are motorcyclists.

While efforts are made to protect workers in construction zones and blame is often placed on the driver in a work zone motorcycle crash, seven times as many drivers die in these accidents as highway workers. Even when motorists obey warning signs, these zones present hazards that endanger drivers, particularly drivers of motorcycles.

Often, work zones are not properly marked with caution signs, and the construction companies are partially responsible for serious accidents.

Here are some of the roadwork hazards that are particularly dangerous for motorcycles:

  • Steel plates used to cover holes are extremely slippery, especially after and during rain.
  • Gravel surfaces are hazardous during  sudden stops, motorcycle tires can’d skid to a stop.
  • Uneven lanes will sometimes cause a severe wobble in the from wheel of a motorcycle, which may initiate a loss of control.

There are, of course, many other hazards present in roadwork zones, so as the big orange signs say: SLOW DOWN.

It’s also important to remember this: While you might be going slow, and being very alert, other drivers probably aren’t and in a battle between a car and a motorcycle, it’s usually the bike that loses.

We have represented many victims involved in serious motorcycle accidents, and out primary goal is to protect our client’s rights to obtain compensation for their pain, suffering, and injuries. Call us at 954-356-0006 if you have questions, we are here to help.

Motorcycle Safety Tips from the National Safety Council

| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Motorcycle Accident Attorney

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

There are days, weeks, and months for everything, but let’s discuss a month that we can all work together to make a difference. May isflorida motorcycle accident attorney motorcycle safety awareness month, and with Florida leading the nation in motorcycle crash fatalities. we need to pay attention and learn about this tragic loss of life.

Here are some numbers that we should all be concerned about:

Florida        2014 fatalities: 450     2015 fatalities: 550      Increase: 22%

When you consider that California suffered fewer fatal motorcycle accidents than Florida (489) in 2015, and their population (39 million) is almost double that of Florida (20 million)….we have a real problem here in the Sunshine State. What can we do about it?

If you are a motorcyclist, we hope you will pledge to refresh your knowledge of safety tips. Take a motorcycle safety course and please see a couple of our posts on causes of crashes and how to avoid them below. Please never drink and drive your motorcycle, and wear safety equipment.

As an automobile driver, please understand that many accidents are caused quite simply by not looking. When you pull out into the roadway please pause and look carefully. Obviously a motorcycle isn’t as large as a truck so take time to look twice. Many accidents are also caused by distracted drivers and incapacitated drivers. Don’t text and drive and never drink and drive. If you’re tired, take a nap. Call Uber. Save a life.

Almost everyone I know has experienced the loss of a loved one in a motorcycle accident. Let’s make this a month when we make a change to save lives, and not just in May but the whole year.

florida motorcycle accident attorneyFlorida Motorcycle Accident Attorney

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus is committed to education about safety on the road. We deal the victims of serious accidents on a daily basis and we see the tragic consequences. If you have been involved in any serious motor vehicle accident you deserve the finest legal advice and representation available. We will work hard to protect your rights and make sure you receive the maximum compensation allowed by law for your injuries and damages. Please call us at 954-356-0006.

 

How to Avoid the Most Common Motorcycle Accidents

More Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents and Tips to Avoid Them

 

 

| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Motorcycle Accident Attorney | , , ,

Florida Helmet Law (or Lack of One) Under Fire

After much debate, the law requiring motorcyclists to wear a helmet in Florida was repealed in 2000. Since that time, motorcycle deaths have steadily increased. Between 2000 and 2008, there were 3,716 motorcyclists and their passengers killed in traffic crashes, an average of 413 per year or over one per day. In 2008, motorcycle fatalities dropped from the previous year by 3.4 percent representing 17.8 percent of all fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.

florida helmet lawIn 2015, there were 606 deaths attributed to motorcycle crashes in Florida. By county, Miami-Dade had the highest number, 67. The increase in number of deaths may be slightly related to the increase in the number of people residing in and visiting Florida, but clearly the increase in number of deaths exceeds the increase in population (by percent) and many people are calling for the helmet law to be reinstated.

Here’s why: Florida leads the nation in motorcycle crash fatalities. While motorcycles accounted for only 3 percent of all registered vehicles in our state, motorcyclists constituted 20 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities. A recent study found that about 50% of Florida motorcyclists wear helmets even though they are not required to do so. In states (19) where helmets are require.

Read more “Florida Helmet Law (or Lack of One) Under Fire”

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Motorcycle Accident Attorney, Uncategorized | ,

Lane Splitting – Controversial Motorcycle Maneuver May Actually Save Lives

Currently Illegal, Lane Splitting may be Permitted in Florida

The most common types of motor vehicle accidents are:

  • Rear-end Collisions
  • Single Car Accidents
  • T-Bone – or cross traffic accidents
  • Side-to-Side Collision while Changing Lanes
  • Low-Speed Accidents

All these accidents may result in injuries or they me be survivable, depending on circumstances. The size and weight of your car or truck will have a lot to do with it.

florida motorcycle accident attorneyImaging being hit from behind while riding on a motorcycle. It’s going to be devastating at almost any speed. Because of this, lawmakers in several states are looking at permitting what is known as “lane-splitting” where motorcycles can ride or remain stopped at a traffic light in the area between lanes.

California passed a new law last week allowing the practice and other states including Florida are examining the issue.

By supporting the bill, state lawmakers and the governor have recognized a roadway practice that has been in use for decades, according to Rob Dingman, president of the American Motorcyclist Association. “Lane splitting keeps riders safer by eliminating their exposure to rear-end collisions, and it helps ease congestion by effectively removing motorcycles from the traffic lanes,” he said.

The website Change.org urged readers to sign a petition, writing “Traffic congestion in Florida continues to increase. One inexpensive, simple, effective, and immediate way to reduce traffic congestion is to permit motorcyclists to travel between two slow moving lanes of traffic. Doing so adds capacity to every existing four-lane road in the entire state of Florida. In California where “lane-splitting” is legal, common place, and has been found to enhance motorcycle safety, it is embraced as a significant component of traffic congestion reduction.”

People in Florida debated the use of helmets for years and finally on July 1st, 2000 the law was changed to mandate helmet use for anyone under 21, and anyone over 21 was required to have medical insurance coverage if they opted to ride without a helmet.

Hopefully the Florida legislature will study the lane-splitting issue carefully and make a decision that is best for everyone.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus is committed to represent and protect the rights of persons injured in motorcycle accidents. We have devoted a major portion of our practice to this very unique and complex area of law for over 20 years and we would be happy to meet with you if you have any questions involving a serious motorcycle injury. Please reach out to us at 954-356-0006 to arrange a confidential consultation.

 

 

Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Motorcycle Accident Attorney, MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS, Uncategorized | , ,

What are the Primary Causes of Motorcycle Crashes?

Most people have strong feelings about motorcycles and many rank riding one with skydiving, “There is no way I would ever do that. It’s too dangerous.”

But ask a motorcycle enthusiast, and they wouldn’t even think of traveling by any other means.

Everyone has opinions, but let’s look at the facts and the statistics.

The top two causes for motorcycle crashes are speeding and driver inattention. But in both cases it’s more often the other driver, not the motorcyclist.

Speeding is one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents, because speeding drivers do not have time to slow down or react to vehicles around them, including motorcycles that may be difficult to see because of their size. Many motorcycle accidents involving speeding driversFlorida Motorcycle Accident Attorney result in serious or even fatal injuries, since motorcycles offer little or no protection to riders in the event of a crash.

In several studies motorcyclists have been rated as the most careful and courteous drivers on the road. Most people riding motorcycles exercise exceptional caution and are more alert than automobile drivers due to the basic instinct of self-preservation.

Driver inattention includes drivers who are preoccupied on their cell phones and therefore put motorcyclists in jeopardy, sometimes causing deadly accidents. A survey commissioned by AT&T found that seven in 10 people engage in smartphone activities while driving, mostly texting and emailing, although surfing the web, tweeting, video chatting, and posting to social media are also prevalent. About one in seven drivers admitted to being on Twitter while behind the wheel.

Driver inattention also includes lane changes, which are a top cause of motorcycle crashes. Automobile drivers simply do not take the time to check both rear-view mirrors before they move into another lane.

In 2013 motorcyclists were about 26 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled and five times more likely to be injured, according to NHTSA.

Of the 4,668 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2012, 94 percent (4,399) were riders and 6 percent (269) were passengers.

The bottom line is that the best way to save lives is to slow down, pay attention, and never text and drive at the same time. Look twice, save a life.

Lazarus and Lazarus has devoted a substantial portion of our legal practice to help the victims of motorcycle crashes. We understand the special circumstances involved and our knowledge of the law and motorcycle insurance issues is extensive. We are here to help victims get through any injury-related problems and we always do our best to see that every client receives the maximum compensation available and appropriate for their injuries, losses, and pain. Please call us if we can help – 954-356-0006 and ask for Gary or Arleen Lazarus.