Motorcycles are an excellent way to get around Pinellas Park. Any motorcyclist can tell you that few things are as enjoyable as hugging a turn on a two-wheeler. However, this doesn’t come without risk. Motorcyclists have considerably less protection than other motorists on the roadway. When they get into crashes, their risk of suffering from a severe injury is higher.
The victims of these crashes have the legal right to pursue compensation, whether that’s through an insurance claim or lawsuit. If you were involved in a motorcycle crash, our Pinellas Park personal injury attorneys are here to help. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can fight for your rights and advise you on your legal options.
Damages In A Motorcycle Accident Crash Case
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), in 2021, Pinellas County saw 437 motorcycle crashes. These accidents can cause a range of financial, emotional, and medical challenges. For example, it’s not uncommon for motorcycle accident victims to find themselves in considerable debt as they work to pay off the costs of medical treatment. A settlement could provide you with reimbursement for these losses.
Settlements cover specific categories of losses, called damages. Damages after a motorcycle accident may include:
- Medical expenses for past and future care
- Ongoing care costs, such as rehabilitative therapy
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Reduction in quality of life
How Much Will You Receive In Damages?
Unfortunately, there’s no “average” settlement for motorcycle accidents. This is due in part to the variability of these accidents. Some motorcycles entail serious injuries, like spinal cord injuries, road rash, traumatic brain injuries, and abdominal injuries, whereas others involve minor bruising and cuts. These factors, which differ from crash to crash, could impact the valuation of your settlement:
- The type and severity of injuries you’ve suffered
- How effective your legal team is during negotiations
- Whether your case involves a lawsuit
A motorcycle accident lawyer on our team can discuss the potential valuation of your case with you. If insurers or another party offer you an unfair settlement, an attorney will be able to advise you on your legal options and how best to deal with lowball settlement offers.
What If You Lost A Loved One From a Motorcycle Crash?
The reality of motorcycle accidents is that they often involve fatalities. If your case involves a wrongful death, we are truly sorry for your loss. We understand the pain that you are experiencing and want to support you during this difficult time. These are the damages you can pursue after a wrongful death:
- Loss of a close personal relationship
- Funeral expenses
- Burial expenses
- Medical expenses your loved one incurred before their passing
- Pain and suffering that your loved one experienced
Working With A Motorcycle Accident Attorney on Our Team
Motorcycle accident victims often assume that it’s necessary to hire a lawyer if they plan on pursuing compensation. In most cases, this isn’t true. Florida typically doesn’t require claimants to hire a lawyer if they don’t want to.
However, there’s a range of benefits available to those interested in working with our Pinellas Park motorcycle accident lawyer such as:
- Providing consistent case updates
- Communicating with all relevant parties involved in your case
- Helping you to get your motorcycle fixed
- Understanding and explaining the legal options available to you
These services are designed to make your life as easy as possible after a motorcycle accident. Managing medical expenses and recovering from serious injuries can both be energy intensive. A motorcycle accident lawyer with our law firm can help to reduce your mental load so that you can focus on your recovery.
Dealing With Insurers
To pursue compensation, you and your lawyer will need to be prepared to handle insurance companies. Insurers can be tricky to deal with after a motorcycle accident, they may:
- Ask that you provide a recorded statement and then use these statements against you;
- Provide you with a quick but low-value settlement offer;
- Investigate your social media presence to look for signs that your injuries are not as serious as you claim.
A motorcycle accident attorney will be familiar with the tactics that insurers employ after motorcycle accidents. If you decide to reach out to our firm, you will not need to deal with insurers. When the insurers ask to speak to you about the events surrounding the accident, you can ask that they contact your lawyer instead.
Establishing Liability
Liability is a core element of motorcycle accidents. If you cannot prove that someone else caused your accident, it’ll be difficult to secure a settlement. To establish liability, you will need to first review relevant case evidence, which may include:
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert testimonials
- Medical records
- Footage of the accident
- Images from the scene of the accident
- The accident report
With this evidence in hand, you can work towards establishing the four elements of negligence. Together, these elements are designed to prove that another party is liable for your injuries. These are the four elements of negligence with relevant examples:
- A Duty of Care: The driver who crashed into you and caused your accident was responsible for keeping you from harm. All drivers owe every other driver on the roadway a duty of care.
- Breach of Duty: The liable driver was speeding prior to causing your accident, therefore behaving negligently.
- Causation: While speeding, the liable driver ran a red light and crashed into you and your motorcycle. This establishes a clear link between their negligent behavior and your accident.
- Damages: Your medical records and other expenses show that you suffered damages because of your accident.
Can You Afford A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer At Our Firm?
Working with a Pinellas Park motorcycle accident lawyer is easier than you might think since many work on a contingency fee basis, which means that:
- You don’t pay any money upfront.
- We cover every expense related to your case.
- Our team will evaluate your case for free.
- The services are risk-free since your lawyer only gets paid if they win your case.
Don’t Wait to Get Started on Your Pinellas Park Motorcycle Accident Case
Per Florida Statutes § 95.11, motorcycle accident victims have two years after their crash to file a lawsuit. This deadline is also two years if you’re filing a lawsuit on behalf of a lost loved one. While not every case will involve a lawsuit, it is best to get started on your case as soon as you can. If you delay filing at all, you risk missing the deadline altogether.
In that event, the court might prohibit you from collecting compensation from the liable party, meaning you have to come up with the funds to cover your damages on your own. However, if you involve a personal injury attorney with our firm from the get-go, they can help you comply with the state deadline.
Contact The Law Offices Of Anidjar & Levine About Your Motorcycle Accident Today
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we focus on providing compassionate and supportive legal services to our clients. We care about the residents of Pinellas Park and are here to support you during this difficult time by fighting for the best settlement possible.
We’re committed to pursuing fair compensation for our clients. Our team can provide you with a free case evaluation to review the facts of your case, and advise you on your next best steps so don’t hesitate to contact our offices today for your free consultation.
We Can Help.
