When you suffer injuries in a motorcycle accident, you need to know who can be sued in a motorcycle accident case as you seek compensation for your losses. Potential people and companies who you might be able to sue in a motorcycle accident case include other drivers, their employers, third-party vehicle owners, vehicle manufacturers, and repair shops.
Motorcycle Injuries and Fatalities in Florida
When motorcycle accidents result in injuries, the injury victims may have a valid personal injury claim against the parties responsible for causing the accident. Likewise, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim against the at-fault parties if their loved ones are involved in fatal motorcycle accidents.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports that in 2019, 8,895 motorcycle accidents occurred, resulting in 7,719 injuries. These figures represented about 2% of all vehicle crashes in 2019 and about 3% of all traffic-related injuries.
According to the FLHSMV, 550 people died in motorcycle accidents in 2019.
Drivers and Employers
Parties who are commonly liable or financially responsible for injuries in a motorcycle accident include the drivers of other vehicles involved in the accident. If the drivers involved in the crash were operating their vehicles in the course of their employment at the time of the accident, you might be able to sue the employer of the drivers.
Third-Party Vehicle Owners
Although vehicle drivers and owners are the most common parties to sue in lawsuits arising from motorcycle accidents, you may be able to sue other parties for your losses, depending on the circumstances.
The owner of the vehicle that the careless driver was operating when the accident occurred also may be a liable party in a motorcycle accident personal injury claim. In limited cases, you could sue a rental car company if it negligently rented the vehicle that the driver at fault for the accident was driving at the time of the wreck. Rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft, also might face liability in appropriate cases, as well as organizations for whom drivers were volunteering when they caused the crash.
Vehicle Manufacturers and Repair Shops
You also might be able to sue the manufacturer of the vehicles, motorcycles, or vehicle or motorcycle parts, including tires, if a defect led to the accident that caused your injuries. Repair shops that were negligent or failed to repair a vehicle or motorcycle also could be responsible for the crash.
Contact Us Today to See How We Can Help
In the aftermath of a severe motorcycle accident, you may wonder if you can sue, and if so, who can be sued in a motorcycle accident case. Look to the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine to get the answers that you need during this challenging time for you and your family. Call us today at 1-800-747-3733 to learn more about your rights and options following a motorcycle accident in which you suffered injuries.
We Can Help.
