Motorcycles are a fun way for many in West Palm Beach to take advantage of Florida’s sunny weather and beachside views. Yet many who drive motorcycles will experience a motorcycle accident at some point, which can lead to serious injury, dismemberment, or even death.
Unfortunately, motorcycle crashes may be more likely to result in severe injury or death than accidents involving other, larger motor vehicles. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident and were not at fault, you may be able to file a claim to recoup losses incurred due to the accident.
Personal injury claims for motorcycle accidents can take time to file and understanding these claims may be difficult for the average person. For these reasons, it’s in your best interest to hire a motorcycle accident attorney like those at Florin|Roebig. The best attorneys will explain the claims process, answer your questions, and guide you on the best course of action from beginning to end.
Steps To Take After A Motorcycle Accident In West Palm Beach
Immediately after seeking medical care following a motorcycle accident, try to use your cell phone to document the scene. If possible, you should move your bike off the road to get it and yourself out of harm’s way.
Call for emergency assistance and cooperate with any law enforcement who arrives at the scene. Gather contact information from everyone involved, including names and phone numbers or emails.
Get the make, model, and license plate numbers of the other involved vehicles. Even if you think you haven’t been injured, you should seek medical treatment. But after that, what comes next?
After the initial incident, you should consult with an attorney who is experienced in motorcycle accident claims. After you speak with an attorney, you’ll have the information you need to speak to your insurance provider and decide what to do next. The attorney will help advise you on how to file a claim and your next steps.
What You Need To Know About Motorcycle Accident Claims
Motorcycle accidents and injuries are one aspect of personal injury law. In addition to being experienced in filing successful personal injury claims in Florida, Florin|Roebig’s team of attorneys has a lot of experience in filing injury claims after motorcycle accidents.
Florida law relies on the concept of comparative negligence in motorcycle accidents and other personal injury cases. In order to receive compensation for your injuries after a motorcycle crash in Florida, the plaintiff (you) must be able to show that the defendant (others involved in the accident) was negligent in some way.
The way that Florida courts assign negligence in a motorcycle or other accident involves determining the percentage of responsibility for everyone involved in the accident.
If the other people involved in the accident caused it, then they could be found 100 percent responsible. If they are found to be less than 100 percent responsible, for example, 90 percent responsible, they will be responsible for paying only 90 percent of damages that are identified as part of the case.
This is why opposing parties in a motorcycle accident case will be motivated to distort the facts of a case. An opposing insurance company or defense attorneys will try to put the blame for an accident on anyone other than the defendant. Any percentage of comparative negligence they can put onto another party will be a percentage of an eventual award they will not be required to pay.
Florida’s comparative negligence rules for personal injury cases are one of the most important reasons you should contact a qualified, experienced motorcycle accident attorney.
When To File A Motorcycle Accident Claim
Florida is no different from other states in that it sets a time limit for filing lawsuits against people for personal injury claims, including motorcycle crashes. This is called the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations in Florida is four years from the date of the accident. That means you have four years after the accident occurred to file a personal injury claim.
There are many reasons to file a motorcycle accident claim if you’ve suffered a motorcycle crash in West Palm Beach. You can obtain compensation for the injuries you’ve suffered and damage done to your bike. You can also help to hold people responsible for causing the accident. A motorcycle accident claim may help to avoid future accidents due to negligent behavior.
Damages Awarded For Motorcycle Accident Claims In West Palm Beach
After a motorcycle accident in West Palm Beach, you could be able to receive compensation to pay for the time you’ve missed from work, property damage, injuries, medical bills, and funds to help pay for recovery and rehabilitation.
Some of the specific damages that can be awarded in motorcycle accident claims include:
- compensation for lost wages
- medical care and psychological treatment
- property damage and repair costs
- costs of rehabilitation
- pain and suffering compensation
Punitive damages, which are intended to provide punishment in the case of severe negligence or errors, are not common in Florida, but they are possible in the case of serious wrongdoing.
How Much Is Your Claim Worth?
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, you can be eligible to receive compensation depending on a variety of factors. Motorcycle accident claims can vary based on the severity of injuries, the type of injuries, and the impact the accident has made on your life and finances.
The actual amount awarded in motorcycle accident injury claims can range from reimbursement for property damage in non-injury accidents to awards of six figures and higher for cases with very serious injuries. If lives have been lost, compensation can range even higher than for serious injury accidents.
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Do You Need To Hire A Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
You don’t have to hire a motorcycle accident attorney in order to file a claim. However, experienced lawyers understand the law in Florida, and how legal concepts like comparative negligence could affect your compensation.
They can also help you to communicate with your insurance company and to avoid common mistakes that have cost other people involved in motorcycle accidents thousands of dollars.
A motorcycle accident lawyer in West Palm Beach can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation you’re entitled to receive. They can help you to get your life back on track after a motorcycle accident by securing damages intended to cover expenses related to the accident.
Facts On Motorcycle Accidents In West Palm Beach And Palm Beach County
Motorcycle accidents in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County, where West Palm Beach is located, lead to both serious injury and death:
- According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety And Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were 450 motorcycle crashes in Palm Beach County in 2019.
- Out of the 450 motorcycle accidents in Palm Beach County in 2019, 27 were fatal.
- In 2019, over 10,700 people were injured in a motor vehicle crash in Palm Beach County, including the 450 motorcycle crashes.
List Of Motorcycle Accident Attorneys In West Palm Beach
Florin|Roebig’s motorcycle accident lawyers are experienced and successful, with nearly $1 billion in case awards over the firm’s history. Our attorneys have decades of successful trial experience and advocacy and we are well-versed in making claims for injuries and trying cases throughout Florida.
Our esteemed team of attorneys includes:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Chase P. Florin, B.C.S.
- Neil P. O’Brien, M.B.A.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Luca G. Esposito
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M.
- Nicholas S. Costantino
- Lawrence J. Najem, O.C.
- Andrew M. Leone, O.C.
- Nollys R. Solarte, O.C.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Find Help With Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
Florin|Roebig’s motorcycle accident lawyers are experienced in helping people who’ve been in a motorcycle accident. They have the knowledge to help you receive the compensation you need after suffering the trauma of a motorcycle accident. Contact Florin|Roebig for a consultation to learn your options for motorcycle accident claims in West Palm Beach today.
