Category: <span>Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorneys</span>

If you’re over the age of fifty you probably recall when people routinely drove around without using seat belts, and children were often free to roam around the family station wagon with no car seats. Thankfully we have become better educated about seat belt use and advanced technology has created several systems that help protect us without even thinking about them.

Probably the most profound advancements have come in the form of airbags. You might be surprised that the first person to apply for a patent for automobile airbags did so in 1952, they were not standard equipment until 1990 when Ford put them in all their passenger vehicles.

The first recorded accident between two vehicles in which an airbag deploys to protect each driver occurred on March 12, 1990.

Today we enjoy the extra protection of many more airbags all over cars, and other safety features like anti-lock brakes and sensors that can automatically stop our cars if they are about to crash.

All this is great, but what about our friends who ride motorcycles? The National Transportation Safety Board is tackling the issue and a new report is out with recommendations. The report is focused on two targets: (1) adding high-tech safety features to motorcycles and (2) adding systems and features that will allow automobile drivers to better “see” motorcycles. We know that the number one cause of motorcycle accidents is when a driver turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle.

Hopefully, making anti-lock brakes standard on motorcycles, adding better stabilizing systems, and implementing technology so auto drivers can anticipate the presence of a motorcycle when entering or crossing a road, making a turn or changing lanes, many high-risk traffic situations will reduce crashes and serious injuries.

Some motorcycles are being offered for sale with airbags, and while that may seem impractical, they are working.

Finally, the NTSB report recommended that the use of alcohol by motorcyclists be further examined because drinking and driving in motorcycle accidents is disturbingly high. We ask everyone to please refrain from drinking and driving or texting while driving. Uber makes it much easier and much safer for those who have a problem with this. Please use them.

Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

We have been helping victims of motorcycle accidents for over 25 years and the numbers of serious injuries and deaths is way too high. Please ride safely and if you are hurt in an accident we can probably help. Call us at 954-356-0006 and we’ll listen.

Here is a link to the preliminary report by the NTSB: Select Risk Factors Associated with Causes of Motorcycle Crashes

Florida has one of the fastest growing populations in the nation, so we know there are some good things that make people want to live here.

Of course there are some things that aren’t so great about our Sunshine State, and Channel 10 WPLG recently made that point in their story “Florida ranked No. 1 in sun, fun and fraud (not in that order).” But we love it here and we’re committed to making living in Florida better!

People love to read rankings and reviews, from college football to the best Taco Tuesday in town, and most are based on opinions, not facts. Florida ranks very high for weather, as a place to retire, and our higher education was ranked number one for higher education based on the time it takes for students to graduate, low-cost tuition, and low burden of debt.

We also rank number one on two fact-based lists that we need to work on: Most fatal accidents involving motorcycles and most uninsured drivers. For some reason, people in Florida are not taking the time to watch out for motorcyclists, and a very high percentage of drivers are going without auto insurance. These are both unacceptable.

It’s possible that the motorcycle accident rate is higher than other states because we have the weather for motorcyclists to ride year-round, but we have a higher percentage rate than other states with mild climates. It’s really a matter of educating drivers about the importance to do what we stress all the time:

• When you pull out into traffic, look twice.
• Be aware of who may be coming up from behind when you change lanes.
• Never turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle, it may be moving much faster than you think.
• Never text and drive.

Uninsured motorists are another huge problem, and we posted a graphic below from the Insurance Information Institute. Don’t assume that if someone hits your car that you can just “collect from their insurance company.” Over 1/4 of Florida drivers have no insurance! Keep this in mind when you review your own coverage. Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage is available but there are different types and it’s important to ask your insurance company or agent to explain the variations, cost, and benefits of each.

The bottom line is, please make sure you have good insurance coverage and drive responsibly. Working together we can get Florida off those two lists and save lives in the process.

If you have questions after being involved in an accident and you’re not getting straight answers, that’s what we do. Lazarus and Lazarus has been helping victims of automobile, motorcycle, and truck accidents for over 20 years. We have developed an excellent reputation for getting great results for our clients, and we’ll work hard to do the same for you. Call us at 954-356-0006 for a free consultation.

We don’t have to tell you how dangerous it is to ride a motorcycle on the roads of south Florida, but we do like to tell you that there are ways to limit the danger and reduce injuries. Because we work with so many injured motorcyclists we understand what causes the accidents to occur and what the resulting injuries are like to deal with.

Like any other accident, injuries are sometimes obvious at the accident scene, and other injuries do not manifest themselves until later, like spinal dislocations, concussions, and others.

One of the most common injuries suffered by motorcyclists is called “biker’s arm.” It is a broad term that includes several different types of trauma to the arm and the symptoms vary. When the motorcycle falls on the rider’s arm, it can cause severe injuries, and among the most serious of them is paralysis. It can cause permanent loss of sensation and movement in the part or whole of the arm.

These are the nerves in the arm that are most often damaged in a motorcycle accident:

Median Nerve – This nerve is located on the inner side of the arm, and crosses in front of the elbow joint. Median nerve is the one which is affected by carpal tunnel syndrome as well. If this nerve become damaged in the crash, the rider may experience partial or complete paralysis of all or parts of the hand and/or arm.

Radial Nerve – It is located on the outside and back of the arm, and transmits signals for the muscles to lift and straighten the wrist, fingers and thumb, and to straighten the elbow. When the radial nerve becomes injured, the rider may not be able to perform these important functions

Ulnar Nerve – This nerve is located in the inside of the arm and passes behind the elbow. Ulnar nerve allows for the bending of fingers and wrist, and also allows the fingers to move from side to side. This nerve is commonly known as the funny bone, and when it gets injured, the above mentioned functions may no longer be possible.

Sometimes these injuries aren’t immediately evident. It may begin with tingling in the fingers, or a loss of movement in the arm itself. Often the symptoms worsen and sometimes there is total paralysis.

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident that was someone else’s fault it’s very important you don’t accept a settlement that will not cover these types of serious injuries if they become worse over time. An experienced accident attorney understands how to deal with these issues and can protect your right to have full and proper care and compensation.

Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Lazarus and Lazarus has set aside a major part of our practice for victims of motorcycle accidents. They happen too often in south Florida and we know how to handle the after-effects. Your rights and your recovery are always our primary concern.

Please call us at 954-356-0006 and we will promptly arrange a confidential consultation with you.