Being injured in a motorcycle accident can change your life forever. Depending on the circumstances, you may be left with injuries, chronic pain, and a pile of medical bills you can’t afford to pay. Fortunately, if the accident was the result of another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to a personal injury settlement.
In order to file a successful personal injury claim, you need an experienced lawyer to represent you in court, such as our motorcycle accident attorneys at Florin|Roebig. Our team of seasoned lawyers is ready to discuss your unique situation and find out if you qualify to file a claim.
Steps To Take Following A Motorcycle Accident In Port St. Lucie
After you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may wonder what you should do to protect your rights to recover compensation. Immediately after the accident, follow these steps.
1. Seek medical care for all involved
Right after the accident occurs, call for medical help if necessary. In general, it is best to seek medical attention even if you don’t notice any obvious injuries, as some injuries may be concealed by shock.
2. Contact the police
Next, contact the police to report the accident. Depending on the situation, the police may launch an investigation at this time. Be sure to supply as many details as possible.
3. Contact a motorcycle accident attorney
After you have sought medical care and called the police, the next step is to contact a motorcycle accident attorney to discuss the possibility of filing a claim. Your attorney will be able to advise you with regard to the evidence you should collect, as well as your chances for winning a settlement from the person or organization that caused your injuries.
4. File a claim, if desired
If you believe you are entitled to compensation for your injuries, you need to file a personal injury claim as soon as possible to protect your right to collect. A qualified motorcycle accident attorney can help you through this process.
What You Need To Know About Motorcycle Accident Claims
Motorcycle accident claims are a form of a personal injury claim. These lawsuits hinge on the concept of negligence, which means you must show that a person or organization’s lack of care was the direct cause of your motorcycle accident in order to win the case.
In the state of Florida, you can file claims for compensation in personal injury cases even if you share some of the fault for the accident. The maximum amount of compensation you can collect will be reduced based on your level of responsibility.
For example, if the court finds that you are 20 percent at fault for the accident, your compensation amount will be reduced by 20 percent. This is known as comparative negligence.
Not every motorcycle accident will qualify you to file a claim. To find out whether you meet the requirements to file a personal injury lawsuit under Florida law, contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.
Reasons People File Motorcycle Accident Claims
Perhaps the most common motivation behind the filing of a motorcycle accident claim is collecting compensation. Motorcycle accidents often leave victims with numerous expenses, including medical bills, property repairs, or replacements and lost wages.
A successful personal injury lawsuit brings in funds you can use to cover these expenses. In many cases, personal injury settlements also include extra compensation for pain, suffering and psychological trauma related to the crash.
Another possible motivation for filing a motorcycle accident claim is to gain closure for yourself and your loved ones. When you file a claim, you are holding the negligent party accountable for what they have done to your life. You are also drawing attention to the issue and reducing the risk of others becoming victims of the same type of negligence in the future.
Types Of Damages Awarded For Motorcycle Accident Claims In Port St. Lucie
Depending on the circumstances of your motorcycle accident, you may be awarded various types of damages.
Some of the damages you may be able to receive include:
- compensation for lost wages
- compensation for lost earning ability
- medical payments
- benefits for future medical expenses
- damages related to psychological impacts of the accident, as well as physical pain
If the party responsible for your accident showed any signs of malicious intent, you may receive punitive damages as well.
How To Determine What Your Claim Is Worth
One of the first questions you may ask as you prepare to file a motorcycle accident claim is “how much compensation will I receive?” Unfortunately, there is no easy way to determine the worth of your claim.
Many different factors will impact the value of your motorcycle accident settlement, including:
- the type and severity of your injuries
- the financial impact of the crash
- the degree of negligence of the defendant
- your percentage of fault in the case
- the competency of your legal representation
- the opinion of the court
- whether you negotiate a settlement outside of court or go to trial
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Why Hire A Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
You are not required to hire a motorcycle accident attorney in order to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, there are a variety of benefits that make hiring an attorney the best choice.
1. Experience in handling motorcycle accident claims
A motorcycle accident attorney who has experience with these cases can give you a realistic idea of what to expect in your case. Your attorney can tell you whether you meet the requirements to file a lawsuit, how high the chances are of winning, and how much you can expect to receive if your claim is successful.
2. Guidance throughout the claims process
A qualified attorney will be by your side throughout the case, offering you guidance and advice that you can use to make the best decisions for your future.
3. Support from beginning to end
Filing a personal injury claim can be a daunting and emotionally challenging experience. Your attorney will be there to support you from start to finish, making it easier to cope with the litigation process.
When you have competent legal representation, the defendant is much more likely to take your claim seriously and offer a suitable settlement. Even if you don’t receive a fair settlement offer, having an experienced attorney is still in your best interest, as you will have a higher chance of winning in court.
Motorcycle Accident Rates In Port St. Lucie And St. Lucie County
Motorcycle accident rates are not as high in Port St. Lucie and St. Lucie County as in other areas in Florida, but motorcycle accidents and related injuries are increasing in the area:
- St. Lucie County saw a total of 119 motorcycle accidents in 2017.
- The incidence of motorcycle accidents increased from 2016 to 2017.
- 93 people were injured in motorcycle accidents in St. Lucie County during 2017.
- There were four motorcycle accident deaths in this county in 2017.
List Of Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Serving Port St. Lucie
If you want to file a motorcycle accident claim in Port St. Lucie, hiring a competent attorney is highly recommended. At Florin|Roebig, we offer a dedicated and experienced legal team that services areas throughout Florida, including Port. St. Lucie.
Members of our legal team include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Neil P. O’Brien, M.B.A.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Luca G. Esposito
- Taylor D. Roebig
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Connect With A Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
Florin|Roebig has experience with all types of personal injury cases in Port St. Lucie, including motorcycle accident cases. Whatever your situation may be, we are here to help you decide on the best course of action for your future.
Should you choose to file a motorcycle accident claim, you can count on our capable legal team to be by your side every step of the way. Please contact our office today to make an appointment for a consultation.
