Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Winter Haven

Motorcyclists enjoy unmatched freedom when they jump onto their bike and take off for a ride.

There are few things as enjoyable as riding through Winter Haven when the sun is out and the light glitters off the water. Unfortunately, too many motorcyclists end up injured in collisions in and around town. At JustCallMoe, we have reconstructed hundreds of motor vehicle accidents to understand why they happened. Below, our Winter Haven motorcycle accident lawyer reviews the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. Call us to schedule a consultation so we can delve into the facts of your case. Our consultations are free and without any obligation on your part.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a major threat to public safety in Florida. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, we experienced more than 150,000 distracted driving accidents in 2023. These accidents led to more than 40,000 injuries, some of which were incapacitating.

The leading causes of distraction include:

• Cell phones. People are addicted to their phones. They will text, call, or search the internet on their smartphones even if the vehicle is in motion. Cell phones are one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents, and even distracted driving laws have not stopped motorists from whipping out their phones while behind the wheel.
• Passengers. Young children can distract a driver. Imagine a child crying in the back seat. A concerned parent looking in the rearview mirror is not paying attention to the road and can easily get into a wreck.
• Food and drink. Too many Floridians multitask behind the wheel. They will quickly pull out a burger and soft drink to consume while driving, which leads to manual impairment.

Motorcyclists are powerless to avoid distracted drivers. All we can recommend is riding defensively. Be prepared to take evasive action at any moment. Sadly, some motorcyclists are rear-ended while they are stopped at lights or intersections, where there is nowhere to go.

Intoxication

Too many drivers are intoxicated when they insert the keys into the ignition. Even one drink could impair a motorist to the point that they become a danger to others:

• Loss of coordination. An intoxicated motorist cannot make swift defensive movements, like pulling the wheel to avoid a crash.
• Blurred vision. Alcohol can blur someone’s eyesight to the point they can’t see a motorcycle ahead.
• Impaired judgment. Drunk drivers take too many risks, such as running a red light or making a turn without yielding first.

If you were struck by a drunk driver, remember to tell the officer who arrives at the scene. Ideally, they will ask the motorist to give a breath or urine sample.

Driver Fatigue

Tired drivers make mistakes behind the wheel. A tired driver is almost as dangerous as a drunk driver and shows many of the same impairments. Even worse, a tired driver might nod off, even for a split second, which might be all the time needed for them to go straight into an intersection and collide with a motorcycle.

Tired driving seems to be on an upswing. Many people are working multiple shifts and heading home while completely exhausted, but they need to work so much for financial reasons.

Impatience

There’s no way around it: one of the major causes of motorcycle accidents is driver impatience. Many motorists are annoyed to see a motorcycle on the road, and they might try to pass someone who is going too slowly.

Drivers are especially impatient at intersections. A driver might hang out in an intersection, waiting to make a left-hand turn. They never see the motorcycle coming through behind a long line of cars.

Speeding

Speeding is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Winter Haven. The state posts speed limits for a reason. The faster a vehicle is traveling, the more time it needs to stop, so the speed limit is lower in residential areas.

Sometimes, a motorcyclist is partially to blame for an accident because they were speeding. Florida’s comparative negligence law will apply in those cases and could result in less compensation, or sometimes no compensation at all. Reach out to our law firm today to discuss whether you failed to exercise due care while on your motorcycle.

Road Defects

Not all causes of motorcycle accidents can be traced back to driver error. Sometimes a motorcycle will flip or go out of control when it hits a road defect:

• Potholes. A motorcycle can ride smoothly over a small depression in the road, but major potholes can send a motorcyclist flying.
• Debris. Construction debris, like tools or trash, can clutter the road, causing a motorcycle to flip or skid.
• Crumbling shoulders. A road that is not maintained can crumble, and this is especially true of shoulders. A motorcyclist can crash when they hit a shoulder that is falling apart.
• Missing signs. A driver might fail to yield because the traffic sign is missing or obscured by tree limbs. This is the type of defect that can lead to collisions.

Typically, the government is responsible for maintaining safe roads. South Carolina allows accident victims to seek compensation in certain situations when a government employee’s negligence leads to an accident.

Motorcycle Defects

A flaw in the motorcycle might also cause a crash. A part could be worn out and in need of replacement. Here is a simple example: the brakes are worn. When you try to brake, nothing happens and you end up crashing.

Legal liability usually rests with a mechanic for performing a poor job or the motorcycle manufacturer for selling a dangerous product. You might also sue a rental company if you rent a motorcycle.

Consult a Winter Haven Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Whatever the cause of your accident, injured motorcyclists benefit from hiring a seasoned legal advocate to represent them. A lawyer will know how to find useful evidence to help reconstruct what happened, which aids in assigning fault for a crash. JustCallMoe today and obtain the assistance of a skilled personal injury lawyer. Our firm has built its reputation thanks to aggressive advocacy and an attention to detail. Schedule a free, private consultation with our firm today.