You take the safety course, wear protective clothing, a helmet, burn your headlight but motorcycles are simply harder for other drivers to see. Everyday at Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay we see motorcycle accidents where car drivers turn left in front of motorcycles, or pull out in front of motorcycles, or just run into them. Motorcycle accidents are far more debilitation because of the lack of a safety cage.

Because of the popularity of motorcycle among non-traditional cyclist, such as bankers, doctors, builder and others, more and more motorcycle accidents are occurring. Worse, our clients are shocked to learn that Florida drivers are not required to insure against their own negligence. As a result, the majority of Florida drivers are uninsured with respect to helping the people they injure. To protect oneself on a motorcycle Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay recommend specialized, motorcycle specific uninsured motorists insurance (self insurance).

More than once motorcycle accident victims have come to Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay after a crash only to discover the the at-fault party has no insurance and their own uninsured motorists coverage (self insurance) only covers their car – not their motorcycle.

Even with all available insurance, the insurance companies will fight you on any claim. Don’t go it alone. At Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay our available Board Certified Civil Trial Experts are available to help guide you through the motorcycle claim process. When it comes to motorcycle accidents, at Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay, Personal Injury Law is all we do!

• Contact Emergency Services: Health and safety should be the number one priority after any accident. Calling 911 allows you to report the accident and request medical assistance. Even if an accident is minor, reporting it to the police provides valuable information that could help potential law suits. Law enforcement will make a determination on who is at fault, interview witnesses, and write a thorough report about the details of a crash.

• Remain at the scene: Leaving the scene of an accident is referred to as a hit-and-run and is a serious crime- especially if injury or death occurred. Ensure you stay at the scene until law enforcement says you are free to go to avoid potential fines or even jail time.

• Document the Scene: After an accident it is important to take detailed pictures and videos of the scene. Make sure to capture both property damage and physical injuries. While a description of the accident or a police report is helpful- photos will show a jury just how damaging an accident truly was. Photos can also help prove negligence, or fault. For example, if a crash occurred at night due to inoperable headlights having a photo will help prove our case.

• Exchange Information: Get the other drivers details including insurance information, first and last name, phone numbers, driver’s license, and license plate. This is important information your personal injury attorney and car insurance provider will need to know.

• Contact your Insurance Provider: Talk to your insurance company after the accident regardless of whether you intend to seek compensation. In most states, insurance companies require you to report accidents as soon as they occur. Do not trust an at fault driver to privately pay for any medical bills or vehicle repairs.

• Seek Medical Treatment: If in the days after an accident you experience pain or discomfort, seek medical treatment to rule out more serious injuries. In most cases, you ONLY have 14 days after an accident to seek treatment and then claim damages. DON’T WAIT!

• Call Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay: After being injured in an accident contact the law offices of Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay for a free consultation. We will pair you with one of our amazing paralegals who can offer advice and help an attorney evaluate your case. Hire the car accident experts. When it comes to auto accidents in Florida or Georgia, nobody will fight harder for you than Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay…Personal Injury Law is ALL WE DO!

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2022, there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes – up from the 6,143 motorcyclists killed in 2021.  Motorcyclists accounted for 15 percent of all traffic fatalities and 19 percent of all motor vehicle occupant (driver and passenger) fatalities.  Of the 6,218 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes, 95 percent (5,934) were riders and 5 percent (284) were passengers.  There was an estimated 82,687 motorcyclists injured in traffic crashes, a 3-percent decrease from 84,898 motorcyclists injured in 2021.

The fatality rate for motorcyclists (26.16) was almost 22 times the passenger car occupant fatality rate (1.20).  In 2022, motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes had higher percentages of alcohol impairment than drivers of any other motor vehicle type (28% for motorcycles, 25% for passenger cars, 21% for light trucks, and 3% for large trucks.  Forty-two percent of motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2022 were alcohol-impaired.  Motorcycle riders killed in traffic crashes at night were almost three times more frequently found to be alcohol-impaired than those killed during the day (42% and 16%) in 2022.  In states without universal helmet laws, based on known helmet use, 54 percent of motorcycles killed in 2022 were not wearing helmets, as compared to 11 percent in states with universal helmet laws.

When it comes to motorcycle accidents, Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay, has the experience, knowledge, and expertise to represent you in an motorcycle accident. We have represented thousands of motorcycle victims in Florida and Georgia and are dedicated to helping motorcycle accident victims get the compensation they deserve.