Drunk Driving & Motorcycle Accidents in Florida: Know the Laws

MARSALISI LAW
March 27, 2019
Drunk-Driving-and-Motorcycle-Accidents-in-Florida-Know-the-Laws

Drunk driving is one of the primary causes of accidents in the United States.  Approximately 29 people die each day due to accidents involving drunk driving.  Florida has a higher drunk driving rate of 2.1% as compared to the national average of 1.9%.  With above average rates of intoxication comes above-average risk, especially when you’re riding a motorcycle.  Drunk drivers are not only putting their own lives in danger, but they are also a threat to everyone on the road.

How Drunk Driving Leads to Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists are often the primary victims of drunk driving accidents due to the open and unprotected nature of motorcycles.  In most cases, these motorcyclists are not at fault.  It is the other driver who is under the influence of alcohol in another vehicle that collides with them.

Motorcycle accidents involving drunk driving tend to be severe and may often lead to permanent injuries, or even death.  The fact that a motorcyclist becomes a victim of a driver’s negligence in a drunken state is even more offensive because now that innocent motorcyclist must pay the price for someone else’s reckless decisions.

Motorcyclists are often at the receiving end of negativity, due to the unfair perception that they are inherently reckless drivers. The reality is quite the opposite of this image.  Oftentimes, the motorcyclists are more skilled drivers and tend to take a more defensive approach to driving because they know they are more vulnerable on the road.

What Do Florida Laws Say About Drunk Driving Motorcycle Accidents

Florida, like other states, has quite strict laws concerning drunk driving.  A non-commercial driver aged 21+ found driving with a blood-alcohol level (BAC) of more than 0.08% is considered driving under the influence of alcohol.  Florida law is even stricter for commercial drivers because a BAC of 0.04% will get a driver in legal trouble.  However, despite harsh laws, these drunk drivers still cause 1 out of every 3 deaths in road accidents in the United States.

If you or a loved one is a victim of a drunk driver, then you need to act fast because the accused can be sued only within the four-year time frame, known as the statute of limitations.

Get the Help of an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Florida

It’s important to get in touch with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who deals with drunk driving motorcycle accidents.  These cases tend to be quite complex, and you’re not likely to get far if you don’t have an experienced attorney to guide you through the legal system.  Contact us at 727-800-5052 for a free legal consultation.  Marsalisi Law is Where Law Gets Personal.

Schedule A Free Consultation

Frank P. Marsalisi believes that every person injured in an accident deserves the full attention of a personal injury attorney. With tailored legal services fluent in both English and Spanish, you can feel comfortable discussing your claim in either language. Our team at Marsalisi Law has years of experience protecting St. Petersburg residents and will do everything in our power to provide you with the compensation you deserve.

Our team understands how stressful this time can be and will make the process smooth, so you can focus on your recovery. Schedule a free consultation by calling (727) 334-1344 or filling out our contact form today.