Were you recently injured in a motorcycle accident in Port St. Lucie, FL? Our experienced Port St. Lucie 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 (772) 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 Port St. Lucie, 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 Injured In A Motorcycle Accident in Port St. Lucie?
Port St. Lucie draws in motorcycle riders every season. With a warm climate that offers lows in the 60s even during the coldest months of the year, it provides year-round comfort for motorcycle riders, whether they come out on vacation or live in the area. Unfortunately, those motorcycle riders can suffer serious injuries in accidents throughout Port St. Lucie, especially with the heavy traffic throughout the area. If you have been involved in an accident while riding a motorcycle you may be entitled to compensation and need to speak with our Port St. Lucie motorcycle accident lawyer immediately to discuss your case.
Did you suffer serious injuries in a motorcycle accident in Port St. Lucie due to someone else’s negligence? Shiner Law Group can help. Contact us today at 772-777-7700 for your free consultation.
Shiner Law Group: Port St. Lucie Attorneys for Motorcycle Accident Victims
At Shiner Law Group, our motorcycle accident attorneys help the victims of Port St. Lucie motorcycle accidents pursue the compensation they deserve for their injuries. Our team has a strong history of handling multiple types of accident claims and aiding our clients in the pursuit of the compensation they deserve.
- Take a look at some of our past motorcycle accident claim results.
- $550,000 was awarded to a client after workers dropped items in the roadway that led to a loss of control.
- $100,000 was awarded to the victim of a motorcycle accident who sustained serious injuries.
At Shiner Law Group, we believe that all motorcycle accident victims should receive the support they need to pursue the compensation they deserve for their injuries. We start with a no-cost consultation to help us better understand the specific elements of your motorcycle accident claim. Then, in many cases, we take clients on a contingent fee basis: you pay the attorney’s fees only when we win. For many motorcycle accident victims in Port St. Lucie, support for your motorcycle accident claim can be more affordable than you think.
We help victims of Port St. Lucie motorcycle accidents as they file personal injury claims, deal with the insurance company, and even, if needed, go to court to present and settle their claims. Our dedicated team of attorneys cannot guarantee the compensation any motorcycle accident victim will ultimately receive for their injuries, but we can provide ongoing support to our clients and help maximize their odds of getting the compensation they deserve.
The Dangers to Port St. Lucie Motorcycle Riders
Port St. Lucie seems like an attractive vacation destination and a great place to ride your motorcycle. However, the area does have several hazards that can increase the risk of motorcycle accidents and, in some cases, worsen the injuries sustained by motorcycle riders in the area when they do get involved in accidents.
1. Florida’s helmet laws may discourage some riders from using helmets as they should.
Florida’s helmet laws do not require motorcycle operators or passengers over the age of 21 who carry adequate insurance protection to use a helmet when operating their motorcycles on Florida roads. Unfortunately, all too many riders take advantage of this law to hit the road without adequate head protection. Helmet use can substantially decrease the risk of traumatic brain injury, though it does not eliminate it. Unfortunately, riders who choose not to wear their helmets may put themselves at much greater risk of severe injury to the head or face.
2. Port St. Lucie has a high chance of afternoon thunderstorms, which can negatively impact motorcycle riders and their ability to safely control their vehicles.
Port St. Lucie, like much of Florida, has a high risk of afternoon thunderstorms: quick storms that often show up, drop a little rain on the area and then disappear as quickly as they came. For motorcycle riders, those quick storms can cause an added danger on the roads. Not only does rain pelt down on the rider, but it may also make the roads slicker and harder to navigate. Afternoon thunderstorms may also decrease visibility and control for other drivers, increasing the risk that they will cause an accident with a nearby motorcycle.
3. Port St. Lucie sees a great deal of traffic every day.
As the third-largest city in South Florida, Port St. Lucie has a densely populated area that sees a lot of traffic on its roads each day, both from residents and from the wide range of visitors who come to the area to enjoy warmer weather in every season. That high amount of traffic can be particularly problematic for motorcycle riders, who often want the freedom to enjoy open streets. Heavy traffic can also make it more difficult for other drivers to see motorcycle riders since motorcycles do not fit the same visual profile as other vehicles.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Port St. Lucie Florida
- Head-on collisions: Unfortunately, most motorcycle accidents happen due to crashes with other vehicles. Cars, trucks, vans or other motor vehicles end up cashing into the motorcycle from the front, leading to severe injures or fatal injuries to the motorcycle rider. Remember, motorcycles, leave their riders entirely exposed, so most end up leaping away from their motorcycles onto the road, often causing extensive injuries.
- Left-hand turns: Motor vehicles, such as cars, trucks and vans make unexpected left-hand turns leading to unavoidable collisions. The vehicle typically will strike the motorcycle by going straight into an intersection, passing to overtaking the motorcycle. While a typical accident for cars, as well, the collision with a motorcycle makes the accident much worse for the ride, due to the lack of protection a rider has. Additionally, the relatively smaller size of the motorcycle makes the viability of seeing a turn by the driver of the other vehicle less noticeable. Vehicle drivers usually do not expect to see motorcycles in their lanes, so the maneuverer comes as a surprise to the driver which may lead to accidents.
- Lane Splitting: Lane splitting is quite common with motorcycle riders and can be a common cause of motorcycle accidents. Basically, Lane splitting is when a motorcycle rider drives between two lanes of cars, creating their own traffic lane in between the cars, usually when traffic is stopped at an intersection or during slow-moving traffic. Lane Splitting is termly dangerous because of the tightness between the cars which provides less maneuvering space for the motorcycle. Traffic laws vary from state to state, however, lane splitting in the State of Florida is illegal. If an accident occurs due to a motorcycle lane splitting, local traffic laws would apply in order to determine fault, and in Port St. Lucie Florida if the accident was determined to be caused because the motorcycle was lane-splitting at the time of the accident, the motorcycle rider would be considered to be at fault.
- Speeding and Under the Influence: Speeding and driving under the influence (“DUI”) are a common cause of all motor vehicle accidents and half of all accidents involving a single motorcycle. Speeding and DUIs affect the rider in several ways, it makes a rider riding a motorcycle less attentive to what is around them, the reaction time of the rider slower and less effective, and contributes to more severe accidents. Because motorcycles offer less protection to a rider than occupants of cars, these conditions help make motorcycle accidents due to speeding and DUIs more dangerous.
- Collisions with fixed objects: Approximately a quarter of all motorcycle accidents ending in death involve the driver of the motorcycle colliding with a fixed object such as a pole, building, post, barrier, or a stalled vehicle, whereas in car accidents this is a cause in only 18% of all car crashes. This is mainly due to the fact that motorcycles do not have as much protection as cars or trucks, additionally, seatbelts and airbags help a driver of a car and motorcycles do not have that level of protection.
As previously mentioned, a few of the main reasons’ injuries are more severe and there is more of a risk of death while riding a motorcycle is as follows:
- Lack of steel exterior around a motorcycle compared to a motor vehicle such as a car or truck
- No Safety equipment such as seat belts and airbags, which motor vehicles have.
- Motorcycles are much small in size and thus less visible to a driver of a motor vehicle like a car, van, or semi-truck.
- Motorcycles have two wheels which makes them less stable than four-wheel vehicles.
Injuries Motorcycle Riders May Suffer in Port St. Lucie Motorcycle Accidents
A motorcycle accident can leave the victim with severe injuries that may pose challenges. Often, injuries interfere with the victim’s ability to work, engage in hobbies, or even handle basic self-care tasks.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Motorcycle riders without a helmet have a high risk for traumatic brain injury. Wearing a helmet, however, does not eliminate that risk. If the motorcycle rider’s head hits the pavement, the vehicle, or an obstacle during the accident, a traumatic brain injury can result. A TBI may have consequences in many areas of the victim’s life. A traumatic brain injury victim may have both long-term and short-term memory problems, from difficulty remembering things that took place in the past to difficulty remembering why they walked into a room, where they keep specific items in their kitchen or bedroom, or what someone said to them just moments before. Traumatic brain injury can also interfere with focus, concentration, and emotional regulation.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Motorcycles offer little to no protection in the event of an accident, which may increase the risk of spinal cord injuries for motorcycle accident victims. Spinal cord injuries may cause complete paralysis and loss of sensation below the site of the injury. Even incomplete spinal cord injuries can lead to an ongoing loss of mobility. While victims with incomplete spinal cord injuries may recover some mobility with time, victims with complete spinal cord injuries may never regain function.
Broken Bones
Motorcycle accidents often result in multiple broken bones, especially if another victim strikes the motorcycle rider directly or the motorcycle rider hits the pavement with a great deal of force. Bones can break anywhere on the body, but motorcycle accidents commonly fracture ribs, legs, hands, and arms. Broken bones can make it very difficult for some victims to complete their work tasks or to engage in basic self-care. They may rely on assistance during their recovery, which could require surgery, physical therapy, and some ongoing limitations related to the injury.
Road Rash
In a motorcycle accident, the victim’s skin may scrape across the pavement, resulting in road rash: a burn-like injury that strips away the protective layer of skin and leaves the victim at a high risk of infection. Road rash can cause permanent scarring, especially when it occurs around sensitive areas of the body.
Facial Injuries
Many motorcycle accident victims, especially those who choose not to wear a helmet, may suffer severe facial injuries. Facial injuries can be permanently disfiguring and may have a long-term impact on the victim’s self-esteem and comfort in public and the victim’s physical state.
Determining Liability in a Motorcycle Accident in Port St. Lucie
Motorcycle accidents occur for a variety of reasons, including distracted drivers. Because Port St. Lucie sees a great deal of tourist traffic, it may also have more distracted drivers than other areas of the country, since vacationers may need to use a GPS device to get around or may fall prey to more distractions as they head out on unfamiliar roads each day. A driver who commits an act of negligence, including driving while distracted, may bear liability in a motorcycle accident.
A deeper investigation into your motorcycle accident, however, may uncover that more than one party shares liability for your injuries. At Shiner Law Group, we take a close look at the circumstances that led to your accident so we can give you a better idea of all parties who may share liability for your motorcycle accident and your injuries.
Did a mechanical failure contribute to the accident?
A mechanical failure in your vehicle can leave you with a sinking feeling of dread in the moments before a collision occurs. Brake malfunctions, engine trouble, or steering difficulties can all leave a vehicle out of the driver’s control. If either your motorcycle or the other driver’s vehicle suffered a mechanical error that led to the accident, several entities may share liability.
At Shiner Law Group, we often start with a look at the vehicle manufacturer. If a manufacturer puts out a defective vehicle or defective vehicle part, the manufacturer may bear liability for the accident. Next, we would consider the vehicle’s maintenance history. Did a mechanic recently work on the vehicle, especially on or near the affected part? A mechanic who fails to properly complete their work, or who ignores damage to the vehicle and certifies it as roadworthy although it should not head back out on the road, may share liability for the motorcycle accident.
Did your motorcycle accident involve a driver on the clock?
Port St. Lucie sees a variety of commercial drivers on the road every day. From big truck traffic to delivery vehicles, many drivers hit the road, not for their own needs, but their employer’s. If a driver on the clock caused your accident, the driver’s employer may share liability for the accident, especially if the company’s policies contributed to the accident in any way.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Port St. Lucie Motorcycle Accident?
Compensation following a motorcycle accident usually falls into the same key categories. At Shiner Law Group, we cannot guarantee the compensation you will ultimately receive for your injuries. However, we can help you evaluate these key categories and give you a better idea of the compensation you should pursue.
Your Medical Costs
High medical bills can leave you scrambling. The more severe your injuries, the higher your medical bills may grow, especially if you sustain injuries like traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury, which may leave you with ongoing medical costs for the rest of your life. As part of your motorcycle accident claim, you could include compensation for all medical bills related to your accident, including the anticipated cost of future medical bills.
Lost Wages
Did your Port St. Lucie motorcycle accident make it difficult—or even impossible—for you to return to work? Many motorcycle accident victims need to take a considerable amount of time off following their accidents. Many motorcycle accident injuries, from broken bones to spinal cord injuries, can cause difficulties that make it physically impossible for victims to perform their usual job tasks.
Others can interfere with a victim’s ability to work. If you had to miss work because of your injuries, you could include compensation for your lost income as part of your claim. Did your injuries permanently prevent you from returning to your former job? You may have the right to claim lost earning potential for those losses.
Pain and Suffering
Primarily, a motorcycle accident claim provides you with compensation for the financial losses you faced from your accident. By including compensation for pain and suffering, however, your attorney may also help you pursue compensation for non-economic losses, including the anguish you faced during your recovery.
Contact a Port St. Lucie Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
If you suffered serious injuries in a Port St. Lucie motorcycle accident, do not try to handle your motorcycle accident claim on your own. Instead, connect with Shiner Law Group at (772) 777-7700 to learn more about your right to compensation.
Port St. Lucie Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Review
