Florida Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Common Injuries Caused By Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles are exhilarating and a fun way to get around but they can also be more dangerous since they offer many fewer safety features than other vehicles. Because of this the injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents tend to be much more serious and require longer medical treatment. Some of the most common types of injuries that occur in motorcycle accidents include:

Fractures – Broken bones are quite common in motorcycle accidents when people are thrown from their machine and connect with the other vehicle involved or the ground. Ankles, knees, elbows, and wrists are particularly vulnerable.

Road Rash – Major abrasions, scraped-up skin, or road rash are very common in motorcycle accidents since it is quite common for the rider to skid across the gravel and asphalt of the road when they are involved in a motorcycle accident.

Traumatic Brain Injury – When the head suffers a severe blow it can cause serious issues like a concussion, brain bleed, or worse. Even though motorcycle riders are required to wear helmets by law they can still suffer head injuries in serious motorcycle accidents.

Spinal Cord and Back Injuries – Depending on the nature of the accident you might experience back injuries or spinal cord injuries. These are particularly serious as they can take years of rehabilitation to recover from, or in some cases become a permanent disability, and some types of injuries don’t appear until well after the accident.

Internal Bleeding  – When too much force is applied to our bodies it can damage and strain our internal organs. Internal bleeding is very serious but not always detectable at a crash site, which is why it is always very important to seek medical attention after being involved in a motorcycle accident.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

There are many reasons that a person could end up in a motorcycle accident. The most common causes for these types of accidents are:

Distracted Driver – because motorcycle drivers take up less space on the road they can be easier to miss seeing, especially for drivers that are already distracted by their phones or something else.

Intersection Issues – intersections are almost always a more common location for vehicle accidents than thruways and highways. People running through a yellow or even red light, making an illegal term, or just not paying attention can all be a problem. And again because motorcycles are harder to see they can be more susceptible to being hit.

Road Conditions – motorcycles aren’t as capable as other vehicles to deal with major flaws in road conditions. If there are major potholes or broken asphalt a motorcycle could end up slipping and skidding across the road. If your motorcycle accident was caused by poor road conditions it is worth speaking with a motorcycle accident attorney near you since much of the time a township or municipality could be responsible for your injuries.

Driving Under The Influence – people who choose to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol have drastically impaired reaction times. Motorcycles are harder to see and have the ability to make quick actions and dart in and out of traffic, which are very difficult for a DUI driver to react to.

Get a Free, No-Obligation Motorcycle Accident Case Review

To help unravel the complicated situation of a motorcycle accident contact our team of winning Florida motorcycle accident attorneys soon after you suffer an accident. It’s always worth your time to consult with an experienced attorney so that you can navigate your best path forward, even if that equates to not needing a lawyer at all.

What You Should Do After A Motorcycle Accident?

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident there are some specific steps you should take:

1. Call 911 and file a police report. The police officer will perform an investigation and record pertinent information about the accident, the vehicles involved, the at-fault driver and the parties’ auto insurance carriers.
2. Seek immediate medical attention and tell your physician everything you can about the pain and other symptoms you are experiencing. If you are disoriented, confused or having trouble remembering things, you should report it then.
3. Get all witnesses names, addresses and telephone numbers.
4. Take a lot of pictures of the accident scene, the vehicle(s) involved, any witnesses, and all visible injuries of all victims. Keep the photographs in a safe location, not just on your cell phone.
5. Do not talk to anyone other than the police officer, your physicians, and your attorneys about the accident or your injuries.
6. Retain an attorney to help you through your accident claim.
7. Before you sign anything, such as a statement or property damage release, consult your attorney.
8. Report the truck accident to your own auto insurance company.

FAQs For Your Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Being involved in any kind of vehicle accident can be quite stressful and traumatic. There are a ton of things that have to be dealt with, injuries, vehicle replacement, loss of income from being unable to work, and more. There are many questions that pop up when dealing with motorcycle accidents some of the ones we have seen in our motorcycle law firm include:

Should You Hire A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

Absolutely. The average person does not have the experience necessary to value a personal injury case, to prepare the case, or to negotiate the intricacies of personal injury law in Sebring. For example, do you know how to obtain and evaluate how much insurance (e.g. BI, UM, PIP, etc.) is available to resolve your claim? Do you know which, if any, of your collateral source providers (e.g. a health insurer) must be reimbursed from your personal injury settlement or what to do if the collateral source isn’t being responsive or reasonable? An experienced attorney will be familiar with applicable Florida laws and how they apply to your particular circumstance. Moreover, an experienced attorney will add value to your personal injury claim.

How Are Pain and Suffering Calculated in a Motorcycle Accident Case?

This is variable based upon circumstances but in many cases, attorneys use a multiplier method to calculate pain & suffering damages in the vent of a motorcycle accident.  They use a number between 1.5 and 5, usually chosen based on how severe/debilitating the injury was.  They then take that number and multiply it by the cost of repairing the injury to property and person(s.)  As an example.  If you had medical bills from an accident in the amount of $15,000, and the severity of your injury was just a 3 – not too bad, but requiring medical care – your pain & suffering potential value would be $45,000.  Some attorneys use the “per-diem method” where a certain dollar amount (variable -based on employment, cost of living, and other factors are paid for every day the accident affects your life, from incident to recovery. paid for each day from when an accident occurred until you recover.

What If I Wasn’t Wearing A Helmet?

In the state of Florida, according to statute § 316.2111, helmets are required for motorcycle operators unless the operator is over the age of 21 and they have insurance that provides at least $10,000 in medical benefits. If you don’t fit that criteria still contact our office for a consultation.

What Kind Of Damages Could I Be Awarded For My Motorcycle Case?

There are a number of things that you could receive compensation for including:

• Medical Expenses Past, Present, and Future
• Replacement of Vehicle and Any Customizations
• Loss of Income Past or Future
• And More.

When speaking with an experienced motorcycle attorney near you they can help give you a better sense of the compensation that make sense for your specific situation.

See What Our Clients Say About The Cloud Law Firm

Rating: 5/5 

“Mia Cloud and her assistants were always there for any questions I had. They were professional, kind and attentive. I would recommend Mia to anyone who has gone through a car accident and needed help. They were thorough from day one. Any time I had questions Mia would actually call me personally to answer them. I appreciate everything they did for me. Would highly recommend!”

Amanda
Largo, FL

Rating: 5/5 

“I was referred to the Cloud Law Firm by my physician, whom worked them before. Mia and Chris Cloud were great to work with. They were understanding of my needs and provided me with all of my options. They had a vast knowledge of the law and navigating the procedures that needed to be taken. My case was resolved to my satisfaction and I highly recommend them. Their staff was always polite and courteous. If you call them or email, you WILL get a call back.”

Carolyn
Largo, FL

Rating: 5/5 

“Mia helped me settle my car accident that happened last year. In one year she was able to settle my case and help me take care of my medical bills while also allowing me to keep some money in my pocket. She did a great job and in a timely manner. I would highly recommend Cloud Law Firm to anyone in need of help.”

Vasillaq P.
Largo, FL
January 26, 2020

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The Cloud Law Firm serves clients throughout central Florida, including Citrus County, Desoto County, Hardee County, Highlands County, Hernando County, Hillsborough County, Lake County, Manatee County, Pasco County, Pinellas County, Polk County, Sarasota County, Sumter County, and their encompassed cities.

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