West Palm Beach Legal Blog

One of the nicest things about living in Florida if you are a motorcycle enthusiast is that “motorcycle season” lasts 12 months out of the year. Since you rarely, if ever, must deal with snow and ice, you can enjoy the call of the open road whenever you wish. Whether you are a recent convert to the cycle lifestyle or have years of riding experience under your belt, safety should always be your first consideration. The simple truth is that motorcycle riders face an 80 percent chance of sustaining a serious injury or dying in a crash. 

The three most common motorcycle injuries are the following:

The act of lane splitting, which occurs when a motorcyclist drives between two lanes of traffic to bypass cars on the road, is illegal in most states. Motorcycle enthusiasts in Florida have pointed to various benefits of the act, such as how it clears up traffic congestion by allowing riders to escape traffic jams, freeing up space for more cars. 

As of this writing, lane splitting is still illegal in Florida. This may come as a shock to certain riders who travel to the state from California, where lane splitting is not illegal. It is paramount for motorcyclists to abide by state laws because in the event of a collision, the motorcyclist may hold more of the liability. 

Among the most frightening injuries suffered in Florida car wrecks are catastrophic burns. Unfortunately, an average of 3,275 Americans die from crash-related burns every year.

It should come as no surprise to you that your car contains many things that can catch fire. Likewise, many of its surfaces can become hot enough during a fire to burn you if and when you come into contact with them. Between these two factors, you can suffer four different types of burns as follows:

1. Thermal burns from your body contacting either the fire’s flames or your car’s hot interior surfaces
2. Scald burns from your body contacting hot gasoline or other hot liquids
3. Chemical burns from your body contacting caustic fluids such as antifreeze or steering or transmission fluid
4. Electrical burns from your body contacting an electrical wire or electrified surface in your car or potentially a downed power line should your car crash into a power pole

Getting into a car accident is a highly stressful situation, regardless of how severe the collision. Even a fender bender can have long-lasting repercussions, and more serious accidents can wreak physical and emotional havoc on a person. Some collisions can even cause post-traumatic stress disorder. While most people are clear about the need to do something after a massive accident, what happens when the accident is so minor it only damages your car?

You might think that an accident this minor leaves you with no legal recourse, but this is not the case. Even the most minor accident may require you to take action and seek compensation. If the other driver was at fault, you should receive reimbursement for the property damage he or she caused. Here are three steps to follow after an accident that damages your car.