Traffic signals and signs control the ebb and flow of traffic and keep everyone safe on the road. When a driver disregards them, accidents can happen. Obeying traffic signs and signals can be especially important when motorcyclists are on the road since they are often difficult for vehicle drivers to spot.
If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident, a motorcycle accident law firm in fort lauderdale can help you seek compensation. They can investigate your accident and deal with the insurance company. Many personal injury law firms will review the details of your claim at no cost or obligation and clarify the role of traffic signals and signs in your motorcycle accident.
Disregarding Traffic Signals and Signs Can Lead to Motorcycle Accidents
Drivers and motorcyclists each play a role in on-the-road safety. When drivers ignore traffic rules, they can easily overtake or collide with a motorcycle. This often happens because motorcycles are harder to spot than larger vehicles.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents is drivers making lefthand turns and colliding with motorcycles. Driver distraction, failure to see the motorcycle, and illegal left turns can all cause these types of collisions.
Additional causes of vehicle-versus-motorcycle collisions include the following:
- The driver makes an improper lane change and sideswipes the motorcycle.
- The driver merges improperly or without signaling and collides with the motorcycle.
- The driver fails to come to a complete stop at a stop sign or stoplight.
- The driver fails to check their blind spot when changing lanes, causing them to hit a motorcyclist.
Any traffic violation that causes an accident could constitute negligence, an important part of your evidence collection if you are seeking compensation from the negligent driver.
Evidence of Traffic Violations in a Florida Motorcycle Accident Case
You must support your motorcycle accident claim with a robust collection of evidence that proves the accident’s cause and sequence of events. Evidence that your Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney can collect to prove the at-fault vehicle driver caused your accident due to a traffic infraction may include:
- Copies of any tickets or citations the driver received (a lawyer can help you obtain these)
- Statements from accident witnesses
- Law enforcement narratives and diagrams from the police report
- Photos, videos, and accident reconstruction reports
Your personal injury lawyer will also help you obtain evidence that proves the monetary value of your post-accident expenses and losses. This portion of your case file can include medical bills, proof of income, and receipts and estimates for repairing or replacing your motorcycle.
How Ignoring Traffic Signals and Signs Causes Motorcycle-Versus-Motorcycle Accidents
Like vehicle drivers, motorcyclists must obey the rules of the road, including all traffic laws, posted traffic signs, and traffic signals. When they do not, dangerous, potentially life-threatening, accidents can occur. Some important motorcycle laws in Florida include:
- Motorcycles must have and use turn signals to alert others of the maneuvers (Florida Statutes § 316.222).
- Motorcycles must have and use a tamp light to indicate their intent to stop (Florida Statutes § 316.410).
- Motorcycles must remain in their own lane of travel—no lane splitting or lane sharing (Florida Statutes § 316.209).
- Motorcyclists must wear a helmet or have at least $10,000 in insurance coverage (Florida Statutes § 316.211).
If motorcycle riders do not comply with these rules, Florida’s comparative fault laws could negatively affect their financial recovery after an accident.
Ignoring Traffic Signs and Signals Is an Act of Driver Negligence
To recover damages after an accident, you must prove the other involved vehicle or motorcycle driver was negligent. Your Miami motorcycle accident attorney will investigate your accident in detail and gather evidence of the following elements of negligence that entitle you to financial compensation:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
If a lawyer represents you, they can gather evidence of negligence while you focus on recovering.
Compensation for a Motorcycle Accident Caused by Disregarding Traffic Signs
You can seek various types of damages for a negligence-based motorcycle crash. Compensation your legal team requests on your behalf may include:
- Economic damages, including past and future medical bills, past and future lost wages, loss of future earning ability, and property repair, replacement, or diminished value
- Non-economic damages, including lasting disability, scarring or disfigurement, physical pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages, including the costs of making your loved one’s final arrangements, loss of their financial and familial support, and loss of consortium, companionship, guidance, and care
Your motorcycle wreck lawyer will collect evidence of the value of your damages and negotiate for the best possible settlement for you and your family.
A Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help You Meet the Filing Deadline
You can pursue financial compensation after a motorcycle accident caused by another vehicle or motorcycle driver’s negligence by filing a civil lawsuit. However, the state limits the time you have to take legal action. In general, the motorcycle accident statute of limitations is two years. If you do not file your lawsuit within that time:
- The court could bar you from filing it
- A judge could dismiss it immediately
- The insurer could stop negotiating
Filing your lawsuit on time in Florida can be challenging since the statute of limitations can fluctuate for several reasons. In addition, a 2024 change in the law decreased the filing deadline from four years to two. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you interpret the statute of limitations accurately and file your lawsuit on time.
Call (954) 633-8270 for a Free Review of Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
If you or someone you love was injured in a recent motorcycle accident, you can sue the at-fault driver for compensation. Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can clarify the role of traffic signals and signs in motorcycle accidents and help you file your insurance claim or lawsuit.
Explore your compensation options if a traffic law violation caused your accident. Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato today to learn more during a free initial consultation.
