Types of Motorcycles

Since the 19^th century two-wheeled vehicles have been used and nowadays motorcycles are actually the most common mode of transportation around the globe. There are many types of motorcycles available which may be part of the vehicle’s appeal along with how much less they may cost compared to passenger cars.

Unfortunately the larger the amount of motorcycles out on the road, the higher the incidence of motorcycle accidents there are. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that motorcycle fatalities have been steadily increasing since the late 90s with the most up to date statistics from 2007 reporting more than 5,000 fatalities for that year.

In Florida the number of motorcycle crashes increased by 15% from 2010 to 2011 with approximately 7,484 crashes reported and more than 7,000 motorcyclists and their passengers injured.

Motorcycles do not offer the same type of protection that passenger cars, light trucks, and large trucks do and motorcyclists are much more prone to suffer serious injuries after a crash. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, the victim may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and more.

For a free evaluation of your case by a personal injury attorney at our law firm, simply fill out the ‘FREE CASE REVIEW’ form to your right – it’s 100% confidential.

Motorcycle Classifications

There are more than 570,000 motorcycles registered in the state of Florida and approximately 13% are driven in Broward, Palm Beach, and Martin counties. There are four main types of motorcycles and then further subsets of motorcycles.

Street Cycles

• Cruisers – These low design bikes usually situate a rider with their feet up, hands up on the handlebars and the driver slightly leaned back while riding. Harley-Davidsons often encompass this design.
• Sport bikes – Sports bikes are usually built for accelerating, speed, breaking, and the ability so sustain high speeds taking corners. Sports bikes are commonly classified as light-weight, middle-weight, and superbikes.
• Scooters & Mopeds – These bikes are lower-powered motorcycles that are usually used for personal transportation. They are often low in cost, safe, and in some states the age and licensing requirements are different than a typical motorcycle.

Off-road

These types of motorcycles are usually used for motocross and other types of racing. In most areas they are not legal to ride on the road.

Dual-Purpose

Combing off-road and street motorcycles these are comfortable enough to drive long distances either on or off the road. These bikes are also classified as light, middle, and heavy weight.

Touring Motorcycles

These bikes may also be used for long distance riding and often equipped larger fuel tanks, windshields, storage compartments and a more comfortable riding position for both drivers and passengers.

There many different types of motorcycle manufacturers and models that riders can choose from and depending on what the bike will be used for enhancements may even be made to some.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Some motorcycles have built in safety measures such as airbags, but most drivers have to provide their own safety gear to keep themselves protected. Helmet use is highly advisable although it is not required for persons over the age of 21 in Florida. Those under the age of 21 who do not have enough insurance coverage may be ticketed if caught not wearing a helmet.

Not using protective gear can result in multiple injuries if a motorcyclist is in an accident. Some common injuries a driver may sustain include:

• Road Rash
• Broken Bones
• Cuts & Lacerations
• Head Trauma
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Nerve Damage

Just as passenger car drivers may be traumatized by a serious accident, motorcyclists may also experience difficulties getting back on the road and experience anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and more.

Contact our lawyers Today

Motorcycle accidents can be very serious and often lead to wrongful death, if you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver our experienced lawyers are here to help.

At Gordon & Partners our lawyers have more than 180 years of combined experience assisting personal injury victims. We are dedicated to representing the injured and fighting for the rights of the people. We have offices located throughout South Florida and are pleased to serve the following areas:

• Port St. Lucie
• Stuart
• West Palm Beach
• Palm Beach Gardens
• Boca Raton
• Hollywood
• Pembroke Pines

…and many more cities and towns throughout the tri-county area. Contact us at 1 (855) 722-2552 to get connected with one of our steadfast lawyers and have your case reviewed at no-cost and no-obligation.

You may also contact us online by simply filling out the ‘FREE CASE REVIEW’ form at the top right hand corner of this page.