Motorcycle accidents can be extremely serious, often resulting in costly medical bills, missed work, substantial property damage, and months of physical therapy. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, you may be entitled to compensation.
A West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer can walk you through the legal process and help you hold the at-fault party responsible for your injuries. At GOLDLAW, we have more than 200 years of combined experience serving clients across South Florida. Our law firm can support your claim and handle all negotiations on your behalf.
Get in touch with a West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer today to schedule a free consultation.
Why Choose Our West Palm Beach Motorcycle Accident Attorneys?
At GOLDLAW, we understand how devastating motorcycle accidents can be. That’s why we want to reduce some of the stress you’re feeling by handling every aspect of the claims process to make sure you’re treated fairly.
Our team has the resources and experience needed to stand up to every party involved in a motorcycle accident case, including the aggressive insurance carriers. We’ve already recovered more than $1 billion for our clients and will work hard to get you a fair settlement too.
As a modern law firm, we embrace technology to make your claim move as quickly as possible. We also believe in providing an open line of communication with our clients so that you have a thorough understanding of the progress of your motorcycle case as it moves forward.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer serving West Palm Beach, call 561-222-2222
Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes
Driver negligence is one of the leading causes of motorcycle crashes, and it can lead to serious head injuries, road rash, spinal cord injuries, fractures, and more.
Often, other drivers forget to check their blind spots properly or make unsafe lane changes, which can cause motorcyclists to swerve and collide with another vehicle. Distracted driving, speeding, driver fatigue, driving under the influence, and other forms of negligence are also possible.
But some things are entirely out of the control of motorists, such as adverse weather, faulty or malfunctioning parts, and poor road conditions. Knowing what caused the crash is all part of building a strong motorcycle accident claim. It can help determine who may be responsible and what evidence is needed.
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Types of Compensation Available for Your Claim
There may be various types of compensation available for motorcyclists if their claim against another driver is successful. Our goal is to help injured motorcyclists recover both economic and non-economic damages for their losses.
Whether we secure compensation for a client through an insurance settlement or as a result of a personal injury jury verdict, we strive to recover the following:
Economic Damages
These look at the financial losses you’ve incurred as a result of the incident. The most common economic damages associated with a West Palm Beach motorcycle accident include:
- Emergency medical bills and other medical expenses
- Ongoing doctor visits
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Medical devices and prescription medications
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage expenses
Non-Economic Damages
Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages are not as easily calculable because they do not come with traditional receipts or bills. These types of losses revolve around a motorcyclist’s physical and emotional pain and suffering as well as their loss of enjoyment of life caused by any disability.
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Evidence That May Help Your Claim
When estimating how much your claim is worth, insurance carriers will carefully review the evidence to fully understand the damages you’ve sustained. As such, it’s a good idea to collect and preserve the following proof from the crash:
- Medical bills and medical records
- Police report
- Witness statements
- Black box data
- Photographs, surveillance footage, and dashcam footage
This evidence may also help in trying to determine liability, especially if there are any disputes about who is to blame.
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How Florida’s Comparative Negligence Laws May Impact Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence system (Statutes § 768.81), anyone who is found to be more than 50% responsible for their own injuries will be unable to recover compensation for their losses.
If you are 50% or less responsible for your injuries, you can still recover compensation, though the total amount of compensation you receive will be reduced depending on your amount of fault.
For example, if you are awarded $100,000 after a motorcycle accident, but a jury determines that you were 20% responsible for the incident, under modified comparative negligence, you would only receive $80,000 instead of the entire $100,000. A motorcycle accident attorney in West Palm Beach can help you understand how this law applies to your claim.
Other Factors That Could Affect Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
- Liability: Multiple parties may be at fault for your accident, which means you may be able to pursue compensation through various avenues.
- The severity of injuries: The more severe your injuries, the greater your costs will be and the longer your recovery time. This will all be taken into account when determining your compensation.
- Employment status: Are you able to return to work? If not, how long will it be until you can return? Your lost wages will be calculated based on this information.
- Pre–existing conditions: Do you have any pre-existing medical conditions? If so, these will need to be considered when assessing your injuries from the accident. This can be a barrier to recovering compensation, but it isn’t impossible with the help of a qualified lawyer.
How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in South Florida?
For personal injury lawsuits in the state of Florida, the statute of limitations for filing a claim against an alleged negligent party is usually two years from the date the incident occurs. If you fail to file for compensation within this two-year timeframe, it is unlikely that you will recover any money for your losses.
Many insurance adjusters in Florida may have their own deadlines when it comes to filing a motorcycle claim, so being prompt is a necessity. Failing to report the incident to the insurance company in the time allocated could delay your claim significantly.
Read our guide to Florida’s motorcycle laws to learn more.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
After an accident, there are several steps you should take to ensure your safety and help strengthen your personal injury claim in the future.
Here’s what you should do:
- Move to a safe location: If you can, move your bike to the side of the road or a safe location away from traffic. If this isn’t possible, leave your motorcycle, move out of the road, and wait for help.
- Get medical support: As soon as you are able to, have an emergency medical professional take a look at your injuries, no matter how minor. Make sure you also ask for copies of your medical records after your treatment has taken place.
- Call 911: A police officer should arrive at the scene, speak with the parties involved, and take notes about what happened. They will create an accident report, which you should obtain a copy of to support your claim.
- Gather information: If the other driver is still at the accident scene, exchange insurance details and contact information with them. If there are any witnesses to the accident, get their information as well. Be sure to also take photos/video of the damage to all vehicles and any skid marks or debris from the accident.
- Contact an attorney: An experienced West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer can help motorcyclists navigate the complex legal process and work to get you the compensation you deserve.
Get GOLDLAW and Get the Help You Need and the Compensation You Deserve
If you or someone you care about has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligent actions of another party in the West Palm Beach area, reach out to the personal injury team at GOLDLAW as soon as possible.
Our team handles motorcycle accident claims on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront or out-of-pocket legal fees. We only collect a legal fee if we successfully recover compensation for your losses.
We take pride in our ability to secure compensation through settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of our clients. Read our testimonials to learn more about our success stories. Or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
