Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Carrollwood

Carrollwood is located between Lutz and Tampa in Hillsborough County and is considered one of the safest suburbs in Tampa. While this unincorporated community is small, it’s one of the most affluent.

In fact, Carrollwood was intended to be developed as a luxury residential community. However, the rash of tornadoes in the 1960s propelled the area’s redevelopment. Though it may be far from its developer’s envisioned 1950s luxurious vibe, it’s still a high-class neighborhood with low crime rates. 

Since Carrollwood is considered one of the safest neighborhoods in Florida, can you say it’s also safe for motorcycle drivers? Unfortunately, statistics of motorcycle accidents in Florida are quite disheartening. 

According to the Florida Crash Dashboard, motorcycles account for only 7% of the total number of registered vehicles. However, deaths from motorcycle accidents reached as high as 18.6% of the total traffic-related deaths. 

In Hillsborough, there were 584 motorcycle accidents last year. Though the number is relatively low compared to the total number of accidents, the continuing rise in crashes throughout the years is alarming. 

One of these is the case of a 43-year-old man who lost control of his motorcycle and collided with six vehicles. The police report revealed that the motorcycle overturned, which caused the man to be ejected from his bike. While no one else was injured, the man died on the spot. 

This is why it’s crucial to remain vigilant while riding your motorcycle or any motor vehicle. Since roads are open to everyone, even though there are laws to regulate traffic, accidents could still happen. This is especially true in busy and heavily congested roadways. 

If you or a family member were injured in a motorcycle accident, you should know that you can vindicate your rights. While other license-carrying motorists have the right to drive, you also have the right to be safe from accident injury. Therefore, when these two rights clash, the party that injured the other party could be held accountable. 

If you’re in this situation and don’t know how to proceed, talk to The Personal Injury Center. They’ve been helping motorcycle accident victims like you get the compensation they deserve. They’ll educate you on your rights and refer you to reputable personal injury lawyers and trial attorneys. These motorcycle accident attorneys will represent you before insurance adjusters, the other party’s lawyers, and judges. With them, you’ll have legal representation. 

Call them for a free consultation. 

What Are the Most Common Motorcycle Accident Causes in Carrollwood, FL?

It’s no secret that motorcyclists are more likely to suffer injuries than those in other vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that motorcycle drivers are almost 30 times more likely to pass on in a collision than those inside other vehicles. These injuries could be as simple as road rash or as severe as spinal cord and brain injuries.

Many factors contribute to this heightened risk, including improper helmet use and the failure to wear protective clothing. However, the most common cause of motorcycle accidents is driver error.

Car drivers often fail to notice motorcycles on the road or underestimate their speed. This can lead to devastating consequences for both parties involved in the accident.

These are the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Carrollwood:

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol is a common cause of motorcycle accidents, and Carrollwood is no exception. When a driver is intoxicated, their ability to safely operate a vehicle is impaired, so they can’t respond quickly enough to avoid an accident. They may also not be able to process information correctly. 

DUI is one of the leading causes of accident cases that could lead to property damage, serious injuries, or even wrongful death. 

The consequences of driving while intoxicated can be severe, such as fines, jail time, and losing your license. Furthermore, you may also be subject to an expensive lawsuit if you injured someone in the accident, where you’ll have to pay medical bills and the services of an accident lawyer.

Violation of traffic rules and negligence

Negligence is the failure to take reasonable care in performing a task or duty. When driving, you must follow traffic laws, such as carrying a license, wearing a biker’s helmet and other safety equipment, and staying sober. 

If you failed to act reasonably and this injured someone, you could be liable for negligence. For example, if drivers don’t stop at a red light and crash into another vehicle, they’re considered negligent if they don’t follow traffic rules.

Violating traffic rules is also considered one of the common causes of motorcycle accidents. This is especially true when drivers ignore what’s happening on the road. For example, speeding through intersections without checking for pedestrians or vehicles coming from other directions can cause serious injuries.

Here are more cases of negligence and traffic rule violations that could result in road accidents. 

Overspeeding 

You should be aware that an increase in speed will significantly raise your crash rate. If you’re overspeeding, you might be unable to stop in time for a pedestrian crossing. You should also see more to avoid hitting another vehicle.

You’ll score three demerit points if you’re charged with overspeeding by 15 miles per hour (mph) or less. This minor violation would require you to complete a four-hour driver improvement crash course through an online traffic school. 

However, an introductory traffic course might no longer be an option if you continue to gather minor violations. In that case, you should take a defensive driving course. Suppose you continue to commit traffic violations despite all of this. In that case, more stringent penalties will be imposed on you, which could include the following: 

• More demerit points
• License restriction
• Charged with reckless driving 
• Charged with third-degree felony
• Imprisonment for five years 
• 10-year license revocation 
• Fines of up to $50,000

Distracted Driving 

In 2020, over 3,000 people died due to distracted driving. Driving while distracted makes you more likely to make a mistake that could lead to an accident. Distractions can include the following:

• Texting or talking on your cell phone
• Eating or drinking
• Adjusting the radio or music player
• Grooming yourself (putting on makeup, fixing your hair)
• Reading messages on your phone

When you’re driving, it’s your responsibility to keep both eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. However, this is easier said than done, especially when juggling your phone, music player, GPS, and other distractions.

The best way to avoid a driving accident is to do nothing else when you’re behind the wheel. Set specific times to check texts, emails, or social media rather than doing so randomly throughout the day. This simple change in your driving habit can save lives, including yours. 

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is when a driver’s actions place other people at risk of injury or death. This includes passing other vehicles at high speeds and not following traffic laws. Reckless driving is often a sign of intoxication, but it can also result from inexperience, aggression, or distraction.

Failure to Yield

Failure to yield occurs when a driver fails to give way to other drivers, such as when the driver doesn’t check their mirrors or look over their shoulders before changing lanes. This could also occur when they blindly and abruptly merge onto a highway. Another example of failure to yield is failing to give way at intersections when making a turn. All of this could lead to collisions.

Stoplight Violation

Stoplight violations are a common cause of accidents, especially in urban areas. Understanding the laws and consequences of stoplight violations in your state is essential. This will make you aware of the risks, allowing you to take precautions.

A stoplight violation is when someone drives through an intersection with a red light. This includes going through the intersection after stopping but before the light turns green or driving through the intersection once the light turns yellow or flashing red.

Essential Traffic Requirements in Carrollwood, Florida 

Carrollwood is a rapidly growing city with many new developments in recent years. Many traffic laws have been implemented to ensure all residents are safe. These laws should be followed by all pedestrians and drivers, including motorcyclists, to ensure safety for everyone.

Here are three requirements you should keep in mind when riding your motorcycle in Carrollwood:

Motorcycle riders must have a Florida Motorcycle Endorsement

Owners of two or three-wheeled motorcycles with an engine size of 50 CCs in Florida need a Florida Motorcycle Endorsement, which is on your driver’s license. You can also get a ‘Motorcycle Only’ license. Driving and operating a motorcycle without these licenses is tantamount to a traffic rule violation. 

To secure a motorcycle endorsement, use the following tips:

• You must possess a valid and current Class E operator license 
• You need to complete the Basic RiderCourse updated (BRCu) or Basic RiderCourse (BRC) from an authorized center
• Secure the endorsement within one year of passing the BRC or BRCu
• Visit the tax collector or driver’s license office and pay the endorsement fees 

If you want to go for the “Motorcycle Only” license, you should use the following tips:

• You must be 16 years old at the time of application 
• Present a Learner’s License that’s valid for a year and has no recorded traffic violations 
• Pass the test for Class E operators
• You need to complete the Basic RiderCourse updated (BRCu) or Basic RiderCourse (BRC) from an authorized center
• Visit the tax collector or driver’s license office and pay the endorsement fees 

Lane splitting is illegal

Lane splitting, which is when motorcyclists move between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic, is illegal in Carrollwood. The law requires that motorcyclists remain within a single lane when driving on the road. Lane splitting is dangerous if done improperly, resulting in serious injuries.

Devices that prevent hearing are not allowed

Florida law prohibits motorcycle riders from wearing hearing devices that block ambient sounds. The ban applies to all forms of hearing-prevention technology, including, but not limited to, earplugs, earmuffs, and even headphones. As long as one ear is free to hear sounds around you, wearing an earpiece attached to your phone is legal.

Get Legal Advice From Reliable Personal Injury Lawyers

Driving is not a right; rather, it’s a privilege. The government will issue you a driver’s license only if you have complied with the requirements. Similarly, the government can revoke your license if they think you’re unfit to drive. You must follow traffic rules to keep your license and privilege. Following these rules is an example of vigilance on your part. 

However, despite being cautious and vigilant, you must fight for your rights if you still get involved in road accidents. The accident, mounting medical bills, and emotional pain and suffering are burdensome to motorcycle accident victims. Therefore, a personal injury claim should be the least of your concerns.

If you’re unsure how to go about this, seek the advice of experts at The Personal Injury Center. They’ll help you through the process and connect you to personal injury attorneys. As you seek full compensation, these motorcycle and car accident lawyers will be your legal representatives. Their years of experience handling these cases can help you get the compensation you deserve. 

Call them today to get a free case evaluation. 

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