Over the past few months, there have been several fatal motorcycle accidents in Polk County, Florida. The state of Florida, as a whole, continues to be one of the leaders in fatal motorcycle crashes — according to the NHTSA, 555 motorcyclists were killed in accidents in Florida in 2016. Impaired driving and speeding were the main causes of motorcycle accidents in Polk County; however, negligent truck and automobile drivers were at fault in many of these accidents. Several riders who should have survived were killed because they weren’t wearing a helmet.
The Lakeland motorcycle accident attorneys at Rivas Law Group have represented many motorcyclists who have been seriously injured in accidents because of other people’s negligence. We know the devastating effects a motorcycle accident can have on the rider and his family. That’s why we’re so committed to reducing the number of motorcycle accidents in Polk County and throughout Florida by raising awareness for motorcycle safety.
Here’s some advice we’d like to share:
Beginning Riders Take Care
Beginning riders should be especially careful. Learn about the bike and the rules of the road; take a class and seek the advice of more experienced riders. If possible, get some experience on a closed course to get the feel for riding your motorcycle. Choose your first motorcycle carefully — you don’t want something too fast and too powerful for you to handle.
Check Your Bike
All motorcyclists should inspect their motorcycle carefully before heading out on the highway. Check your oil, tire pressure, breaks, lights, chain and electronics.
Wear a Helmet and Other Protective Gear
Motorcycles lack a lot of the safety features found in cars and trucks. There’s nothing between the motorcyclist and the hard pavement except the clothes they have on. Wearing protective gear is a must.
A helmet effectively protects the rider from head injuries, a leading cause of death for motorcycle riders. In addition to a secure, snug fitting helmet, you’ll want to invest in other types of protective clothing, like motorcycle jackets, pants, gloves and boots and gloves. Wearing reflective, brightly colored clothing makes you more visible to others on the road.
Obey the Laws
Obey all traffic laws — especially the speed limits! Speeding is one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents.
We shouldn’t have to tell anyone this — never ride a motorcycle while you’re impaired. If you find yourself getting drowsy, pull over for a while.
Watch Out for Cars and Trucks – They Probably Aren’t Watching Out For You
A majority of motorcycle accidents in Polk County are caused by automobiles and trucks. That’s right — in a lot of these accidents, the drivers didn’t see the motorcycle until it was too late.
That’s why motorcyclists should ride defensively. Always assume that the car ahead of you can’t see you. This can help you avoid getting into situations that could result in a collision.
Use caution when approaching intersections, especially ones without traffic lights, and while entering and exiting freeways. Try to make your motorcycle as visible as possible to others on the road.
If You’ve Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident in Polk County
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Polk County that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to seek compensation for the pain, suffering, medical expenses and lost wages resulting from your injuries.
Proving liability in a motorcycle accident claim can sometimes be difficult. Tania Rivas and the Rivas Law Group have successfully represented victims of motorcycle accidents in Lakeland, Lutz, Winter Haven and other surrounding communities. Call our offices to schedule a free consultation with Tania and her team. The Rivas Law Group handles motorcycle accident injury cases on a contingency basis, which means there are no up-front costs to our clients and we only get paid when you win your case.
