Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL
If a negligent road user led you into a motorcycle accident, he or she is responsible for your losses, including emotional distress, medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and diminished future earning potential. We know how complex it can be trying to fight for justice on your own, and that is why our motorcycle accident legal team in Fort Lauderdale, FL is ready to help you reach a fast and fair settlement.
Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accidents We Commonly Handle
All motorists in Florida are required by law to follow safe driving practices, more so when sharing the road with motorcyclists.
Minor distractions, bad decisions, and moments of negligence are some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Fort Lauderdale. Vehicle drivers have also been reported to cause motorcycle accidents due to:
- Failure to yield properly when making a turn
- Cutting off a motorcyclist
- Following a motorbike too closely
- Aggressive or erratic driving
- Failing to allow a motorcyclist to use a full traffic lane
- Bad weather
- Lack of visibility
- Unsafe lane merges or changes
- Driving under the influence/drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Running a stop sign or red light at an intersection
Motorcycle Personal Injuries You Should Seek Compensation For
If you survived a motorcycle accident, you should undergo an immediate medical checkup and then file for compensation for injuries such as:
- Severe scarring or disfigurement
- Internal bleeding
- Loss of limbs
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Broken bones
- Lacerations or road rash
Fort Lauderdale No Fault-Laws for Motorcycle Accidents
In Florida, there is a $10,000 personal injury protection law to cover for lost wages or medical treatment due to accidents, but this is only available for motor vehicle owners and not motorcyclists or motorcycle passengers. If you sustain injuries in a motorcycle accident in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in Florida, you need professional representation in order to win compensation of any amount.
Compensation for Motorcycle Accidents
Pursuing financial compensation for a motorcycle accident starts with identifying fault for the accident. Florida is a no-fault car insurance state, so proving fault only applies if the person injured intends to file a personal injury case within the civil court system. Should an insurance company offer you satisfactory recovery, then there is no need to assign fault or pursue a legal case.
A good motorcycle accident lawyer will help you make a claim against the negligent driver and recover compensation for:
- Motorcycle damages
- Injuries sustained
- Medical bills, ambulance fees, and emergency room bills
- Therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Mental anguish
- Reduced capacity to earn
- Loss of consortium
- Severe physical impairment such as a loss of limbs
- Wrongful death of a loved one
- Funeral bills
Helmets and Head Injuries
All riders are required to by Florida motorcycle safety laws to wear eye protection when riding their vehicles. These could be glasses, goggles, or a windshield. However, most motorcyclists are required to use helmets as well. Drivers of 21 years of age or higher who have a $10,000 medical insurance policy are not required to use helmets. While the non-helmet law might sound convenient, the National Center for Biotechnology Information reports that, since the law was enacted, fatality cases for motorcycle accidents have increased by almost 50%.
Product Liability
If a motorcycle manufacturer released a defective bike or sold defective parts, this could lead to severe accidents and, subsequently, product liability claims. The law demands that whenever manufacturers are aware of defective products, they must take adequate steps to recall all the affected items and provide replacements. In some cases, a manufacturer is required to stop production until the problem is fixed. However, if such defects harm customers, those customers can file product liability claims against the manufacturer to recoup losses. Our lawyers can help you seek compensation for motorcycle injuries resulting from:
- Defective design
- Defective production
- Misleading marketing
Claims for motorcycle accidents in Fort Lauderdale that involve negligent drivers only come about when insurance coverage is not sufficient to cover the motorcyclist’s damages. To succeed in a personal injury claim, you must be in a position to prove that the defendant directly caused the accident.
Motorcycle accidents in Florida can also result from roadway hazards or poorly maintained roads. In such situations, an injured motorcyclist is required to file a lawsuit against the government agency responsible for maintaining the location where such an accident took place. For instance, you can file a legal suit against the state’s Department of Transportation if you suffer an accident on a roadway construction site that did not display appropriate warning signs.
Injured in a Motorcycle Accident? We Are Here to Help
Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, FL are ready to start negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurance company so that you can win the compensation to which you are entitled. Should their insurance company fail to offer you an amount commensurate with your losses, we will seek justice for you in a civil court. Tell us about your motorcycle accident by scheduling a free consultation with us. You can also call us at 305-928-2909 and a motorcycle accident expert will walk you through your legal options.