Being injured in a motorcycle accident can change your entire life. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may find yourself unable to work or even enjoy your previous hobbies. You may also deal with anxiety and other emotional issues related to the trauma you experienced in the crash.
Although no amount of money can eliminate the negative impact that comes from being a motorcycle crash victim, filing a personal injury claim against the responsible party can give you the resources and closure you need to move on with your life.
At Florin|Roebig, we understand how difficult it can be to recover after a motorcycle crash, and we are here to help you get the compensation you deserve from the party responsible for your injuries.
What Are My Rights After A Motorcycle Accident?
Following a motorcycle accident, you may or may not have the right to file a motorcycle accident claim. Simply sustaining an injury in the crash is not enough to qualify you for a lawsuit.
However, if you can show that another party was at least partly responsible for your accident, you may meet the requirements to file a claim under Florida law. Some of the parties who may be legally responsible for your accident include other drivers on the road, the manufacturer of your motorcycle, and organizations responsible for maintaining the road.
Keep in mind that the state of Florida considers personal injury claims based on the concept of comparative negligence. This means that you can file a claim even if you are found to be partly at fault for the accident. If you share some of the blame, your settlement amount will be reduced according to your percentage of fault.
Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can occur for a variety of different reasons.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- distracted driving
- alcohol and/or drug intoxication
- drivers failing to obey traffic laws
- failure to yield to motorcycles
- inclement weather
While some of these contributing factors may qualify you to file a personal injury claim, others will not. For example, if you were in a motorcycle accident entirely caused by inclement weather, you won’t qualify to file a claim.
However, if your motorcycle is struck by a driver who was texting and failed to yield the right of way, you can typically file a claim against the negligent driver. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney will be able to review the facts associated with your case and tell you whether you meet the requirements to file a claim.
Steps To Take Following A Motorcycle Accident In St. Petersburg
After you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in St. Petersburg, follow these steps to protect your right to compensation:
1. Seek emergency medical care if needed
Immediately following a motorcycle accident, seek any medical attention you may need. Be sure to keep careful records of your visits, the extent of your injuries, and receipts for payments.
2. Contact the police
Next, call the police to file a report and launch an investigation into the accident. Details from this report can become crucial to your claim.
3. Collect details from the incident
Be sure to collect as much documentation about the accident as possible. Write down contact information from witnesses and other people involved in the crash, and take pictures of the scene if possible.
4. Contact an attorney
As soon as possible after the motorcycle accident, contact an attorney to discuss the possibility of filing a claim. Your attorney will review all of the evidence and tell you whether you meet the state’s requirements.
5. File a claim, if desired
If you decide to file a motorcycle accident personal injury claim after talking to an attorney, the next step is to begin the process. Keep in mind that the state of Florida requires all personal injury claims to be filed within a specific amount of time after the accident, so it is important to act quickly.
Why Do People File Motorcycle Accident Claims?
You may choose to file a personal injury claim after a motorcycle accident for different reasons.
Some of the most common reasons for filing a personal injury claim include:
- to receive compensation for all losses experienced as a result of a motorcycle accident
- to hold the negligent party responsible for their actions
- to prevent future incidents from occurring
Types Of Damages Awarded For Motorcycle Accident Claims
If you win your motorcycle accident lawsuit, you may receive different types of damages to compensate you for the losses you have experienced.
Damages commonly awarded in motorcycle accident cases include:
- medical payments
- lost wages
- compensation for diminished quality of life
- compensation for lost earning ability
- compensation for pain and suffering
- punitive damages
Understanding How Much Your Claim Is Worth
All motorcycle accident claims in St. Petersburg are unique. For this reason, it can be difficult to estimate exactly how much your claim could be worth.
Some of the factors that will affect the value of your personal injury claim include:
- the extent of your injuries
- whether your injuries are expected to heal
- the total amount of money you are expected to lose as a result of the accident
The value of your claim may also be impacted by the intangible effects of the accident, such as the pain you have suffered and/or any emotional trauma you have experienced. A motorcycle accident attorney can give you a more realistic idea of how much money you can expect to collect if you file a lawsuit.
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Benefits Of Hiring A Motorcycle Accident Attorney
It is possible to file a personal injury claim without the help of a motorcycle accident attorney, but it is rarely recommended.
Hiring an experienced motorcycle accident attorney offers many benefits, including:
- access to expert advice and guidance throughout your case
- an advocate who stands by your side from the beginning of your case to the end
- answers to your questions
- a better chance of winning the case in court
- a greater chance of receiving the maximum settlement amount
Facts On Motorcycle Accidents In St. Petersburg And Pinellas County
Motorcycle accident rates are increasing overall for Pinellas County, and St. Petersburg experiences high numbers of motorcycle crash rates and related injuries:
- St. Petersburg is located in Pinellas County, where there were 507 motorcycle accidents in 2017.
- In these crashes, a total of 30 people were killed. This was an 11 percent increase from the previous year.
- Another 440 people were injured in motorcycle crashes in 2017.
- The number of motorcycle injuries in Pinellas County decreased by nearly 20 percent from 2016 to 2017.
List Of Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Serving St. Petersburg
If you are thinking about filing a motorcycle accident claim, you need the right attorney on your side. At Florin|Roebig, we employ some of the best motorcycle accident attorneys serving St. Petersburg and other areas throughout Florida.
Attorneys on our staff include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- John J. Hart
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M.
- Parker Y. Florin, LL.M.
- Taylor D. Roebig
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Reach Out For Help Filing A Motorcycle Accident Claim Today
Don’t try to file a personal injury lawsuit on your own. Give yourself the best chance at recouping what you’ve lost after a motorcycle accident by reaching out to our seasoned attorneys. Contact the expert motorcycle accident lawyers at Florin|Roebig today to schedule a free consultation and begin the process of filing a motorcycle accident claim.
