Were you recently injured in a motorcycle accident in Lake Worth, FL? Our experienced Lake Worth motorcycle accident lawyers at Shiner Law Group are ready to help fight for your legal rights and get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (561) 777-7700 to speak with an attorney for a 100% free consultation.
You may be entitled to seek compensation for medical bills, loss of income, pain, and suffering, and more. Contact our Lake Worth, FL law offices to discuss the legal options that might be available to you following your motorcycle accident. The next steps are very important. Let Shiner Law Group help you with your motorcycle accident case today.
Were you involved in a motorcycle accident in Lake Worth?
There’s no question that Florida is the perfect location to get around on a motorcycle. It offers beautiful ocean scenery and almost constant sunshine. While most people can ride their motorcycles without issue, the risk of a motorcycle accident is always present because of issues like negligent drivers and poor road conditions.
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident in Florida, you may have quite a few questions about your financial security and health. Because of this, we recommend you get in touch with our Lake Worth motorcycle accident lawyer. Talking to us means that you have the expertise needed to recover compensation for the injuries you received.
Filing a Lawsuit for a Motorcycle Accident in Lake Worth
If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person at fault. Usually, this is another motorist. It’s possible to base your claim on the theory of negligence.
In the state of Florida, motorcyclists have the same obligations and rights as other drivers. However, truck and car drivers may ignore or even fail to share the road with motorcyclists. For example, drivers may make unsafe lane changes to try and pass someone on a motorcycle. If you have proof the other driver acted negligently; you can then hold them legally liable for the injuries and damages you experience.
Proving negligence can be complex. You must show the other driver had the duty of exercising reasonable care. You also need proof they breached this duty and caused your injuries because of the breach.
Some indications a driver acted negligently include texting, unsafe lane changes, speeding, or distracted driving.
In some motorcycle accident cases, the driver blames the motorcyclist for the accident. While this may happen, you should not be deterred from filing a claim against that driver. In Florida, the comparative negligence standard is followed for personal injury lawsuits. This means that you can recover damages even if you share some of the blame for your injuries. The total amount of damages you can recover will then be reduced based on how much at fault you are.
In Florida, you have two years from the time of the accident to file a lawsuit and recover compensation. It’s important to hire our legal team as soon as possible to get to work on building a case for you.
Steps to Take After a Lake Worth Motorcycle Accident
If you or someone in your family was involved in a motorcycle accident, it is important to take the right steps. These steps include:
Contact the Police
Be sure to report the accident to the police and seek medical assistance for yourself or anyone else who is injured. It’s important to visit a doctor for a full evaluation after the accident, even if you don’t have any immediate pain or obvious injuries.
Gather Evidence Related to the Accident
If possible, you should record and write down the information of all the other drivers involved in the accident. Be sure to record their license plate number and driver’s license number. You should also write down their insurance information, including their insurer and the policy number.
Take down the names, phone numbers, and addresses of anyone who saw what happened, as well. If possible, capture pictures and videos of the accident scene, damages to your vehicle, and any injuries.
Don’t Talk About the Accident
You should never provide statements online or to others about the situation. You need to let your legal team conduct a full investigation of what happened and notify your insurance company about the accident. While they need to be noticed, you should not provide a recorded or written statement. It is best only to discuss details related to your accident with your doctor or attorney until the case is fully and properly resolved.
Common Causes of Lake Worth Motorcycle Accidents
While motorcycle accidents can occur for almost any reason, some situations are more common than others. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
Distracted Driving
Motorists can be distracted by all types of things on the road today. One of the most notable distractions is cell phones. These pose a serious distraction to all drivers and cause them to take their eyes and attention off the road for several seconds at a time. During that time, accidents may occur, which causes a motorcyclist’s injury or even death.
Tailgating
Tailgating occurs when someone follows too closely behind another motorist at a short distance. This may be a means of intimidation or a bad habit. In either situation, this minimal distance between the two vehicles puts them at a much higher risk for an accident if the vehicle in the front has to slow down or stop suddenly. Motorcyclists, especially, are at risk of injury in these types of short-distance collisions.
Driver Fatigue
Some drivers will travel longer distances through Florida. While this may be necessary for some situations, it doesn’t mean you should drive while you are fatigued. If you drive drowsy, it can reduce your reaction time and make the likelihood of a motorcycle accident much more likely.
Intoxicated Driving
In the state of Florida, much like other states, there’s a legal limit regarding how much alcohol you can have in your system while you are behind the wheel. Even if you aren’t at that limit, intoxicated drivers may cause accidents because of their delayed reaction time or impaired vision. This is also a common situation involving illegal substances and some prescription drugs.
Hazardous Weather Conditions
The weather in Florida can change quickly. Because of this, you have to be prepared for changing driving conditions at a moment’s notice. This includes reduced speeds and improper signaling. This will help ensure that other drivers can see you in the rain or fog. If you fail to do this, you may be involved in an accident. This is especially true for motorcyclists who may not be able to protect themselves well against these elements.
Sudden Stops
It doesn’t matter if you are driving in town or on the interstate; Florida drivers must follow specific roadway etiquette. This includes avoiding sudden stops, which may cause serious traffic issues, regardless of how fast you or others are traveling. Also, these types of stops are particularly dangerous to motorcyclists. This is because what is a small fender bender between passenger vehicles can be devastating to someone on a motorcycle.
Improper Lane Changes
If someone makes an improper or unsafe lane change, it also poses a risk to motorcyclists. That’s because some motorists don’t check their mirrors or blind spots before merging. This may result in them missing smaller vehicles, such as motorcycles. Also, if a vehicle merges toward a motorcycle, it may force them off the road or even cause a collision that causes serious injuries to the rider.
Common Injuries Caused by Lake Worth Motorcycle Accidents
Along with the common causes of motorcycle accidents, it may be helpful to know some of the most common injuries that can occur. These include:
TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury
Any type of serious brain injury is another common issue that can occur in a motorcycle accident. TBIs are caused when the brain moves violently inside your skull. TBIs may even occur when you are wearing a helmet.
The symptoms of a TBI include word-finding issues, memory problems, attention issues, personality changes, and emotional outbursts. It’s a good idea to see a neurologist right away if you notice any of these symptoms after a motorcycle accident. It is also a good idea to wear a helmet any time you are on a motorcycle.
Back and Neck Injuries
Fractures and broken bones in the back and neck are common for anyone involved in a motorcycle accident. Ruptured and herniated disks are another common injury seen in motorcycle accidents. Some common symptoms of neck injuries include sharp pain and tingling in the arms and hands if your neck has been injured. If you experience sharp pain in the legs or feet, it could be due to a herniated disc. An MRI will be needed to determine if the issue is a ruptured disk.
Leg Injuries
Some people experience serious leg injuries after an accident. Some riders experience injuries like fractures or, in some cases, amputation. The lower leg suffers the biggest impact because the motorcycle offers minimal protection when you are hit from the side. It isn’t uncommon for a motorcycle hit from the side to have a broken tibia, and sometimes the knee joint is involved. If you experience this, you may be at a much higher risk of post-traumatic arthritis.
Severe Rash
Another serious injury that may occur in a motorcycle accident is a severe rash that many people call “road rash.” When your skin is exposed during a motorcycle accident, it can experience serious damage if it contacts the asphalt or another surface at high speed. Some accident victims experience permanent scarring and pain. This is especially the case if the road rash impacts the nerves and connective tissues.
FAQs for Your Lake Worth Motorcycle Accident Case
We get a lot of questions about Lake Worth motorcycle accident cases. Answers to the most common can be found here.
What Is Your Case Worth?
Filing a lawsuit may let you seek compensation for current and future pain and suffering, along with all accident related costs. The actual worth of your case depends on the severity of your injuries and damages.
Can You File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
You can, but you should remember that your ability to recover damages may be limited to if you were properly insured. The right to sue someone is called the ability to sue, and not everyone will have that right. Talking to our attorneys will help you know what rights you have.
Speak With A Lake Worth Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me Today
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident case, it’s best to contact our professional legal team. We can evaluate your claim and situation to help you build a strong case that gets you the compensation deserved for your injuries and damages.
Keep in mind that we cannot guarantee a certain outcome or amount for your case, but you can feel confident that we will work diligently to help you recover the damages you deserve. The best thing you can do is contact as soon as possible after the accident to begin working on your case.
