Nothing is as exhilarating as getting onto your motorcycle and taking to the open roads of Boca Raton taking in the sights with no obstructions, providing an experience that is incomparable to driving with a truck or car. Another upside of riding motorcycles is that it is a convenient means of transportation that assists riders to save on gas money. They are also easy to park and can move around traffic jams, which helps in saving valuable time. However, with all the benefits that motorcycles come with, there’s a certain level of danger involved as it concerns your safety. Each year, thousands of motorcyclists in Florida sustain debilitating injuries in accidents. In fact, motorcycles are the main cause of fatalities in Florida and are very dangerous. Our motorcycle accident lawyer in Boca Raton is here to help you.
If you or somebody close to you was hurt in a motorcycle crash in Boca Raton, FL, you should consult with our car accident attorneys at Steinberg Law. We will assess the circumstances of your accident and provide you with an honest opinion as to whether you have a valid claim. To speak with our legal team about your viable options, please call us today at 877-783-4611 to arrange a FREE consultation and case evaluation.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help With My Compensation Claim?
Although riding may be gratifying to the motorcyclist, the reality is that they are left exposed to a range of elements and may suffer severe injuries following an accident. Motorcycle accidents can result in severe long-term injuries and extended recovery periods, all of which are expensive. Steinberg Law recognizes that any crash involving a motorcycle is very stressful and devastating. We also know that following a motorcycle accident, chances are that your life will be completely upended. If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle crash in Boca Raton, you have grounds to seek compensation from the at-fault party and our skilled personal injury attorneys at Steinberg Law can assist in this endeavor. We believe that the at-fault party should be held accountable for their negligent actions and should pay full damages.
Accidents concerning motorcycles can get complicated very fast. Dissimilar to trucks and cars, motorcycles don’t give the rider as much protection in a crash. If you only got bruises or scratches in a minor accident, you may think that you don’t require legal counsel. At times, these minor crashes can result in even more severe injuries. How strong your claim is usually contingent on actions taken in the beginning stages of the lawsuit. Our Boca Raton motorcycle accident attorneys can help bolster your claim by:
- Obtaining, organizing, and analyzing key pieces of evidence and other documents pertinent to your case.
- Determine liability and present evidence proving damages causes
- Reach out to insurance carriers.
- Providing referrals to healthcare physicians
- Work alongside unbiased experts and investigators to bolster your case
- Spearhead negotiations with the defendant’s insurance company
Enlisting the services of a motorcycle accident attorney will assist you to lessen the burden you are already carrying and save you time in filing a claim. An attorney will compile all the required documents needed to prove your case. Our injury attorneys at Steinberg Law have vast experience litigating motorcycle accident claims in Florida and will help recoup what is owed to you.
What are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Most motorcycle crashes are preventable and avoidable. Sadly, that’s not often the case as various factors lead to motorcycle crashes –including weather conditions—but the main factor is the other drivers and road users. Here are some common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
Distracted driving
When a driver is either visually, physically, or cognitively distracted while behind the wheel, they won’t see an oncoming motorcycle and cause a distracted driving accident.
Failure to pay attention to motorcycles
Not yielding right of way to motorcyclists or being attentive when switching lanes or turning left, puts motorcycle riders at risk of a dangerous crash.
Drunk driving or drugged driving
Driving while intoxicated with alcohol or other drugs impair your ability to drive safely and one wrong misjudgment can easily cause a collision.
Faulty mirrors, brakes, or lighting
Defective car components could result in dangerous accidents, even if the driver utilizes the components as intended.
Unexpected pedestrians on the Road
Pedestrians may suddenly come out of nowhere in undesignated spots making the rider lose control in an attempt to swerve and injure both individuals.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics Boca Raton, FL
Considering how Boca Raton is among the bigger cities in Palm Beach County, you can expect motorcycle accidents to be a prevalent affair. Between the tourists and residents using Boca Raton roadways, you can expect traffic congestion, which is primed for accidents. Florida has been identified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the state with the leading motorcycle fatalities. Although motorcycle riders account for 7% of all Florida motorists, they represent 19% of all deadly traffic crashes.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles published a 2021 data report on motorcycle accidents in Palm Beach County and found the following:
- 2021: 385 total accidents, 316 injuries, and 25 fatalities
- 2020: 376 total accidents, 296 injuries, and 29 fatalities
- 2019: 410 total accidents, 339 injuries, and 23 fatalities
- 2018: 450 total accidents, 351 injuries, and 28 fatalities
Although the number of crashes has decreased over the last four years, injuries resulting from motorcycle crashes averaged around 80% and deaths about 6.5%
What are the Most Common Injuries Seen in Motorcycle Accidents?
Here are some of the most common injuries we see from our motorcycle accident clients:
Broken Bones
This can occur if you are entangled in a head-on accident or you’re lunged from your motorcycle.
Road Rash
Road rash refers to a kind of abrasion caused by one skidding across a roadway after they’ve been lunged from your bike. It can scrape off skin layers causing nerve damage and skin infections. Skin grafting may be needed and muscle damage is also likely.
Head and Brain Injuries
This kind of injury happens when the rider fails to wear a DOT-sanctioned helmet. Injuries include skull fracture, concussion, hematomas, swelling, or brain damage.
Spinal Cord Injuries
After being thrown suddenly from your bike, you may land on your back and suffer a spinal cord injury.
How is Fault Determined in a Boca Raton Motorcycle Accident?
When you file a motorcycle injury claim in Florida, you must definitively show how the other party behaved negligently and caused your injuries. Fault is determined by satisfying the following key elements of negligence as per Florida’s motorcycle accident law:
Duty: You must prove that the accused party owed you a duty of care and if they behaved reasonably, the accident wouldn’t have occurred. Here, motorists have a duty of care towards all motorists on the road to adhere to traffic regulations and drive safely.
Breach: You will have to prove that the accused party actually infringed on their duty and didn’t exercise the responsibility they owe you. For instance, if the liable driver was under the influence in the moments leading to the accident, they were in breach of their duties.
Causation: Showing that the other driver was in breach isn’t sufficient to grant you compensation. You will have to show a connection that that breach is what caused your injuries or damages.
Damages: Here, you will present evidence that as a result of the accident, you suffered financially and emotionally and therefore have calculable damages from the accident.
Florida Negligence Laws
You should note that Florida follows a strict modified comparative negligent law, which implies that the amount of liability is given depending on the percentage of accident involvement. The law stipulates that you are entitled to seek compensation even if you were partly responsible for the accident, so long as the percentage of fault is below 50%. The compensable amount you get will be deducted to show the percentage of liability.
What Type of Compensation Can I Receive for My Motorcycle Accident?
Economic Damages: These damages reimburse for the financial loss you incurred because of the accident. They include lost wages, medical bills, loss of earning capability, property damage, etc.
Non-Economic Damages: These damages aim to alleviate emotional trauma you may have experienced because of the accident: They include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, emotional scarring, disfigurement, etc.
Punitive Action: These damages aren’t always awarded and will only be possible when it’s proven the defendant acted especially heinously or recklessly. They act as a deterrent to other likely perpetrators.
Why Was My Motorcycle Accident Claim Denied?
There are a few reasons your insurance company may have denied your claim:
- The policy lapsed or was canceled
- The driver was not insured under the policy
- They believe the accident was your fault
- They don’t believe you got injured
- They don’t think the accident is what resulted in your injuries
Are There Time Limits to Filing a Claim in Florida?
If you sustained an injury in a motorcycle crash, Florida’s statute of limitation gives you four years following the accident date to file a claim. In the event the individual entangled in the accident succumbs because of injuries suffered, loved ones have two years to file a wrongful death claim. If the claim is filed after the statute of limitations has lapsed, chances are that it will be dismissed.
Consult With Boca Raton Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Now!
If you or someone close to you has suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another party, you can pursue compensation to help you move on with life. Seeking damages with insurance carriers isn’t a walk in the park, which is why you need to hire the skilled Boca Raton personal injury attorneys at Steinberg Law to help you with the legal side of things.
We provide our service on a contingency fee plan as we aim to provide reprieve to your already troublesome situation. Contact our Boca Raton Steinberg Law offices at 877-783-4611 to book a consultation today.
