Riding a motorcycle can give you a rush of adrenaline and a sense of freedom. However, unlike automobiles, motorcycles do not offer safety features like airbags or seatbelts and lack a protective frame. As a result, if you get into a severe motorcycle accident, the sustained injuries will likely have a long-term impact on your life.
When you are involved in a motorcycle crash, there is a higher risk of you facing traumatic or catastrophic injuries. Dealing with insurance after your motorcycle accident can be a tedious and frustrating process as they will likely do everything to place the blame on you. Therefore, ensure you work with an experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer In Palm Beach Gardens if you are involved in a motorcycle accident, or your loved one dies in a motorcycle collision.
Has your loved one or you sustained a personal injury in a motorcycle accident? Our Steinberg Law, Palm Beach Gardens motorcycle accident attorneys are highly trained and committed to helping you pursue full compensation. We are committed to helping motorcycle accident victims and guiding them to ensure they are well compensated. Call us 877-783-4611 and let our auto accident attorney in Palm Beach Gardens walk you through all your legal options.
How Can A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help With My Compensation Claim?
Depending on the severity of your motorcycle accident, you may qualify for compensation. However, pursuing a motorcycle accident claim without legal representation can be difficult. Therefore, you must hire a professional motorcycle accident attorney to help protect your rights and evaluate all your legal options. Our Steinberg Law motorcycle accident lawyers are adept in motorcycle claim settlements and will ensure you receive your full compensation.
Hiring a qualified motorcycle accident attorney to help with your claim has multiple benefits. Here is how our Steinberg Law motorcycle accident attorney in Palm Beach Gardens can help with your compensation claim:
Collecting evidence
Our highly skilled attorneys will help you collect comprehensive and compelling evidence to ensure you have a strong case. We have several years of experience and know what evidence is needed to prove and ensure you receive full compensation.
Negotiating with insurance companies
Dealing with insurance companies can be infuriating, especially if you are not well-versed with the law. Our attorneys have years of experience dealing with insurance companies and know all their tricks. We will represent you during settlement negotiations to ensure the insurance company does not give you a lowball offer.
Help determine the value of your claim
Aside from medical bills and the expenses you incur from the accident, there are multiple other factors worth considering. Our Palm Beach Gardens motorcycle accident attorneys will assess your case, help you determine how much compensation you are entitled to, and fight on your behalf to ensure you are fully compensated.
Help determine fault
Insurers tend to blame motorcyclists so they can lowball them or cheat them out of their rightful compensation. Our Steinberg Law motorcycle accident lawyers can help determine the at-fault party and ensure the insurance company does not deny liability.
Help determine if you have a case
Several factors will determine whether or not you are entitled to compensation after getting into a motorcycle accident. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will assess and evaluate your case and help you determine whether you should file a claim.
Motorcycle accidents tend to result in catastrophic injuries that will change your life. Therefore, if you are involved in a motorcycle accident, call us 877-783-4611. At Steinberg Law, we ensure our clients get justice and receive their full compensation.
What Are The Most Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents?
There are several steps motorcyclists can take to enhance their safety on the road, including wearing helmets and other safety and protective gear. Although, it would also help if other road users did their part to keep motorcyclists safe. Many motorcycle accidents are both avoidable and preventable. Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Failure to pay attention to motorcycles
- Distracted driving
- Faulty brakes, mirrors, or lighting
- Drugged driving or drunk driving
- Unexpected pedestrians on the road
- Open car doors
- Lane changes
- Tailgating
- Disregarding traffic laws
- Speeding
- Inexperienced drivers
- Road hazards
As with a car accident, several factors often contribute to motorcycle accidents. When you get into a motorcycle accident, ensure you call a skilled lawyer. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will investigate your case to determine the at-fault party and ensure the insurance company offers you a satisfactory settlement.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
While motorcycle accidents are not uncommon, data from the NHTSA shows that Florida is responsible for multiple motorcycle accident fatalities in the country. NHTSA statistics show that 11% of motorcycle fatalities in the United States in 2019 occurred in Florida.
According to statistics from the Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARs), there were 8,638 motorcycle crashes in Florida. 593 individuals died in these motorcycle crashes, making it a total of 0.069% of motorcycle fatalities.
The number of motorcycle accident fatalities in Florida keeps rising each year. In 2019, there were 9,143 motorcycle collisions with 530 fatalities, and in 2020, there were 8,045 crashes with 552 fatalities.
What Are The Motorcycle Specific Laws In Florida?
Every state has motorcycle-specific laws that motorcyclists need to observe. Therefore, as a motorcyclist in Florida, it helps to familiarize yourself with motorcycle-specific laws to avoid accidents and traffic violations. Motorcycle-specific laws in Florida include:
Insurance requirements
Motorcyclists in Florida must carry $10,000 property damage, per-person bodily injury, $20,000 total bodily injury, and $30,000 single-limit liability.
Helmet law
Per Florida law, you are not required to wear a helmet if you are above 21 years and your insurance policy has a minimum of $10,00 in medical benefits.
Turn signals/mirrors
The law in Florida dictates that motorcycles should have a minimum of one rearview mirror and working turn signals.
Lane Splitting
The law prohibits operating your motorcycle between rows or lanes of vehicles. Riders are not allowed to pass motorists using the same lane.
Handlebar height
The handlebar height should not be higher than your shoulders when seated on your motorcycle. In addition, the law prohibits anyone from carrying a package that prevents them from keeping both hands on the handlebars.
Headlights
All Florida riders must use a daytime headlight under the FL Statute 316.405.
Motorcycle endorsement
Motorcyclists must have a motorcycle endorsement through the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles. You will be issued a motorcycle endorsement if you already have your driver’s license, and you may qualify for a motorcycle-only license if you don’t have a driver’s license. To operate a three-wheel motorcycle, you must complete the S/TEP-Sidecar/Trike Evaluation Program.
Helmet speakers
These are only allowed for communication purposes. Earphones and other listening devices are not permitted.
What Are The Most Common Injuries Seen In Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle collisions can result in extreme injuries for motorcyclists. A passenger in a car accident may suffer fewer injuries than one on a motorcycle as motorcycles lack the protective frame of an automobile. Our Steinberg Law motorcycle accident attorneys can help you claim for your motorcycle accident injuries.
Common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Broken bones: You can be left with broken bones due to hitting the concrete with force when you get into a motorcycle crash.
- Spinal cord injury: There is a high risk of sustaining a severe injury like a spinal cord injury if you are thrown off your motorcycle in an accident. Often, such injuries result in permanent disability.
- Brain and head injuries: Sustaining a traumatic brain injury can result in changes in personality, memory problems, or permanent disability.
- Road rash: Motorcyclists can suffer road rash when they fall on pavement, resulting in scrapes or injury to the skin, nerves, and muscles.
How Is Fault Determined In A Palm Beach Gardens motorcycle Accident?
Fault in a Palm Beach Gardens motorcycle accident is determined based on the party that acted negligently. Multiple parties can be at fault in your motorcycle accident, including an employer, product manufacturer, government agency, or motorist. Your situation will determine whether one or multiple parties share fault in your motorcycle accident. In a Palm Beach Gardens motorcycle accident, fault can be determined through the following evidence:
- Police reports
- Black box data
- Traffic cam, dash cam, or security camera footage
- Witness testimony
- Photos of the accident scene
- Your medical records, imaging scans, and lab test results
Palm Beach Gardens and all locations in Florida follow a pure comparative fault system, meaning more than one party can share fault in a motorcycle accident. Several acts, such as running red lights and speeding, can be used as evidence of fault. You can still collect damages even if you are partly to blame for the accident. Our personal injury attorneys can help you fight claims of comparative fault and ensure you receive the damages you are owed.
What Type Of Compensation Can I Receive For My Motorcycle Accident?
Getting in a motorcycle accident can be life-altering, depending on the extent of your injuries. As a result of getting into a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. The severity of your accident significantly determines the compensation you receive. Working with our Steinberg Law motorcycle accident lawyers will give you insight into the type of compensation you can receive. Here are the different types of compensation you can receive for your motorcycle accident:
Economic Damages:
Economic damages are a common form of compensation that motorcycle accident victims receive. These damages are easy to quantify financially and include:
- Damage and repair costs
- Medical expenses
- Loss of earning capacity
The extent of your injuries and your unique case significantly influence how much economic damages you receive.
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages are not easily quantifiable financially as they have no particular monetary value. They include permanent pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional anguish.
Punitive Action
Punitive damages do not serve as compensation and are rarely awarded. Punitive damages punish the at-fault party for negligence and caution the general public against engaging in a similar action. These damages are awarded in cases where the defendant’s actions disregard the general public’s lives, such as driving under the influence.
Why Was My Motorcycle Accident Claim Denied?
Insurance companies use different tactics to avoid paying claims to motorcycle accident victims. They often assign blame to motorcyclists, and it is not uncommon for them to deny your claim even when your claim is strong. There are multiple reasons they can use to deny your claim, including:
- The policy was canceled or lapsed: If the policy was canceled before the accident or it lapsed due to non-payment of the premiums.
- The driver was not insured under the policy: If the at-fault driver is excluded from coverage.
- They believe the accident was your fault: You need to gather additional evidence to prove the insurers wrong. However, even if you are partly at fault, you may still be entitled to compensation under the comparative negligence rule.
- They don’t believe you were hurt: It is vital to keep all your medical bills from the accident as you can use them as proof of the extent of your injuries if insurers deny your claim.
- They don’t think the accident caused your injuries: Your claim may be denied if your medical records show you had an existing injury similar to the one you sustained from the accident. Insurers may argue that you had a pre-existing medical condition, so they are not responsible for offering you compensation.
Are There Time Limits For Filing A Claim in Palm Beach Gardens?
If a loved one or you are involved in a motorcycle accident in Palm Beach Gardens, filing your claim as soon as possible is essential. Filing your claim on time ensures your case is resolved before the time limit runs out. Once the statute of limitations runs out, your case will not be heard even if your injuries are severe and you have compelling evidence.
You have a four-year time limit to file a personal injury claim in Palm Beach Gardens. If you lose a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you must file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years.
Call Our Steinberg Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today For A Free Consultation
Tragically, motorcycle accidents are common, and many individuals lose their lives in these accidents year after year. Being in a motorcycle accident is scary and traumatic and can leave you with severe life-changing injuries. Have you sustained injuries in a Palm Beach Gardens motorcycle accident? Call us at 877-783-4611 and let our skilled bike accident attorneys at Steinberg Law review your case and help you pursue and receive your full compensation.
