Motorcycle riders can enjoy riding along popular roads in West Palm Beach, such as Okeechobee Boulevard or South Dixie Highway. Still, no matter where they go, they can’t get away from crowded streets and expressways, which also means they can’t escape the possibility of getting into a crash.
If you or a loved one is being treated for injuries from a bike crash in West Palm Beach, you likely have medical bills and other accident-related expenses. But if someone else’s error or negligence caused your accident, you shouldn’t pay those expenses. A West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine will demand the liable party pay you your rightful financial compensation.
Our West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyer have decades of legal experience handling motorcycle accident cases. We aim for the best outcome for our clients and won’t stop working until we resolve their cases. Call us now for a free, no-obligation case review.
Our West Palm Beach Motorcycle Lawyers Can Represent You Now Without Upfront Fees
It costs nothing to hire our personal injury law team for your motorcycle accident case. That’s because we work on contingency. It’s simple: You don’t pay us unless you win your case. This means you owe us nothing if we do not obtain money for you at trial or settlement. We accept cases on contingency so that our clients won’t worry about how much it costs to hire a personal injury attorney to lead their case.
Our goal is to get you justice for your injuries. To achieve this goal, we will take whatever steps necessary to ensure you receive financial compensation from the responsible party that eases your financial burdens as you work to get back on your feet. We built our firm by giving personal attention to those we represent and providing responsive legal care.
We Will Go The Extra Mile For You After a West Palm Bike Crash
Our motorcycle injury attorneys care about how our clients recover, as we know motorcycle crashes are serious, especially since so many people walk away from them critically injured. In addition to providing legal services, we ensure you get your lawyer’s cell phone number so you can reach them directly with your questions and concerns. We will provide frequent case updates and return calls and emails promptly.
We know life after an accident can be complicated, so we can schedule key appointments for you, such as a doctor’s appointment or a motorbike service repair appointment. We want you to focus on your recovery while we take care of pursuing compensation for the accident.
We Seek Full Recovery For All West Palm Beach Motorcycle Crash Damages
West Palm Beach is a great city for motorcycle riders — offering sunny skies and scenic views. However, there are bound to be motorcycle accidents where there are motorcyclists and negligent driving.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), nearly 400 motorcycle accidents occurred in Palm Beach County in 2021, resulting in 29 fatalities. During the same year, more than 8,600 motorcycle crashes happened statewide.
If you or your loved one sustained devastating injuries in an accident that was not your fault, you could seek related compensatory damages from the liable driver. Motorcycle riders can seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company or pursue awards with a personal injury lawsuit. We will determine which action to take upon reviewing your accident.
We can help you pursue compensation for the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Medical costs
- Ambulance transport to the hospital
- Physical therapy
- Home medical equipment
- In-home medical care
- Rehabilitation
- Loss of income
- Lost earning capacity if you cannot return to work
- Motorcycle repair or replacement costs (property damage)
- Pain and suffering
- Enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Impaired quality of life
- Other related losses
Wrongful Death Damages
If you lost a loved one in a West Palm Beach motorcycle accident, please accept our sympathies. Our thoughts are with you and your family. If someone else caused the accident, and you believe their negligence is to blame, our wrongful death attorneys can demand that they pay you compensation under a wrongful death claim or lawsuit.
Parties who recover losses from these legal actions can receive compensation for:
- Funeral expenses and burial costs
- Accident-related medical expenses
- Rehabilitation therapy costs
- Loss of your loved one’s companionship, care, support, and other services
Call us today for a free, confidential consultation where we can explain how wrongful death actions work in Florida. We can also review other damages you can seek after a motorcycle collision in Florida.
We Will Gather Evidence to Prove Your Bike Accident Damages in a Compensation Claim
We can collect proof of your economic (financial) losses through your medical bills, repair receipts, employment records, and other documentation that shows your damages. To seek these damages, we must prove the other driver in your crash acted recklessly and that their negligent actions caused your crash. Evidence that can establish that negligence occurred include:
- A police report from West Palm Beach law enforcement
- Witness statements
- Expert witness testimony (e.g., medical professionals, accident reconstructionists)
- Photos, video footage from the accident scene
- Physical evidence from the accident scene (debris, torn clothing)
Then, we can file a West Palm Beach personal injury lawsuit with their insurer or take legal action.
What Is the Value of Your Injury Case?
Every personal injury case is different, so the value of your potential settlement or verdict depends on factors unique to your accident and injury, including:
- Your age
- Your wages at the time of your accident
- The cost of your current medical care
- The estimated cost of your future necessary medical treatment
- The value of your motorcycle accident damages
- The length of your recovery and how long you are out of work
- Whether you suffered a permanent or severe injury
- The extent of your physical pain, emotional suffering, and mental anguish
The at-fault party’s insurance coverage can also affect how much compensation you may receive. If the liable party does not have coverage above the state minimums, their policy may not fully satisfy your losses.
Our motorcycle accident attorneys will help you identify every dollar owed to you and determine a course of action for seeking the maximum amount of compensation available in your case.
Time Limits Apply To Your West Palm Beach, FL, Motorcycle Crash Case
In Florida, the statute of limitations deadline in Florida Statutes § 95.11 gives you only two years from your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a family member passed away in a motorcycle accident, you might be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit, but you also have only two years to file your case.
We must act before this time expires. Sometimes, the threat of a lawsuit is the only way to convince a stubborn insurer to settle an insurance claim. The sooner you contact us, the more time we have to build a strong case for your compensation. Our personal injury attorneys will:
- File your motorcycle accident claim or lawsuit according to insurance regulations and statutory deadlines
- Collect case evidence, including medical records, police reports, photographs and videos of your crash site, and eyewitness testimony
- Work with expert witnesses who can testify on your behalf, including medical professionals, economists, physiologists, and crash reconstructionists.
- Handle all phone calls, emails, and communications with the insurance adjuster.
- Represent your interests during negotiations with the insurance provider
- Represent you during a civil trial if necessary
Throughout your case, we will provide you with regular updates. We pride ourselves on our accessibility and will even give you your attorney’s phone number so that you are never out of touch or left in the dark.
How West Palm Motorcycle Lawyers Can Prove Negligence and If the Other Driver Caused the Wreck
All drivers in West Palm Beach must exercise a duty of care to keep other road users reasonably safe from harm. If the other driver in your motorcycle crash behaved recklessly and failed to maintain that duty of care, we can hold them financially responsible for their negligence. They become liable for catastrophic injuries, property damage, and potentially other personal losses you suffered because of their actions.
We have to show all of these factors to establish the liability of the at-fault party:
- The defendant had a legal duty toward you. Everyone who operates a motor vehicle in Florida is responsible for driving with reasonable care and observing the rules of the road.
- The defendant breached their duty of care. The other driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeded the legal limit. Driving while under the influence of alcohol violates their duty of care. A breach of a legal duty is negligence.
- The negligence caused the accident. The defendant’s alcohol impairment slowed his reaction time and reflexes. He drove into the intersection at a red light and crashed into a car that was in the intersection legally. The motorist’s careless behavior caused the collision.
- Quantifiable damages. You must have measurable losses, like physical injuries, to satisfy the final required element to pursue most personal injury claims.
Proving Negligence Requires Showing How Your Accident Happened
To prove negligence, we must determine how the accident happened. We can turn to police reports, photos of the accident scene, eyewitness testimony, surveillance video, or testimony from accident reconstruction experts to determine who caused your crash.
During our investigation, we may find the other driver engaged in negligent behaviors, such as:
- Distracted driving, including texting, talking on the phone, or paying attention to passengers while behind the wheel
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Failing to see your motorcycle while changing lanes
- Ignoring traffic signals or signs
- Reckless driving
We may also find a third party who shares the blame for your motorcycle accident. For example, a motorcycle manufacturer’s defect or a faulty motorcycle part may also have contributed to your accident. Our firm uses various resources to investigate all responsible parties while recovering from your injuries.
Do Florida’s Auto Insurance Laws Apply To Motorcycles?
Florida law requires personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to cover you and your passengers if you own a vehicle with four or more wheels. After a car accident, each driver turns to their PIP policy for compensation.
Most PIP policies provide a maximum of $10,000 in medical and disability benefits if the injured party seeks medical treatment within 14 days after the accident.
However, PIP insurance does not cover motorcycles or motorcycle accident injuries, nor does Florida require you to purchase motorcycle insurance.
What Happens If You’re A Motorcycle Rider Without Insurance?
Suppose you do not have motorcycle liability insurance coverage, and you caused your accident. In that case, the other driver may hold you responsible for their bodily injuries and property damage.
Not only that, but you may also have to pay for your medical bills and personal losses. This is why it is a good idea to maintain insurance coverage for your motorcycle.
If you do not have motorcycle liability insurance but were not at fault for the crash, we can file a claim for your damages with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Each driver must meet the state’s serious injury threshold in a car accident to file a claim outside their PIP policy. However, you do not have to meet this threshold as a motorcyclist.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in West Palm Beach
Motorcycle accidents in West Palm Beach often result in severe injuries due to the exposed nature of riders. Understanding the common causes can aid in both prevention and legal action. One primary cause is driver negligence; many accidents occur because other drivers fail to notice motorcycles, leading to incidents of distracted driving, failure to yield, and improper lane changes. Speeding and reckless driving also significantly contribute to accidents, as excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the severity of collisions.
Road hazards such as potholes, debris, uneven pavement, and inadequate signage pose substantial risks to motorcyclists. Additionally, inclement weather, like Florida’s sudden rainstorms, can make roads slick and reduce visibility, leading to accidents. Driving under the influence is another critical factor; impaired drivers have slower reaction times and poor judgment, increasing the likelihood of collisions.
Motorcycle accidents in West Palm Beach are often severe due to the exposed nature of riders. Understanding the common causes can help in both prevention and legal action:
- Driver Negligence: Many accidents occur because other drivers fail to notice motorcycles. This includes incidents of distracted driving, failure to yield, and improper lane changes.
- Speeding and Reckless Driving: Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the severity of collisions.
- Road Hazards: Potholes, debris, uneven pavement, and lack of proper signage can pose significant risks to motorcyclists.
- Inclement Weather: Florida’s sudden rainstorms can make roads slick and reduce visibility, leading to accidents.
- Driving Under the Influence: Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and poor judgment, increasing the likelihood of collisions.
Florida Motorcycle Laws That Affect Your Accident Claim
Navigating the legal landscape after a motorcycle accident involves understanding specific Florida laws. For instance, helmet laws stipulate that riders over 21 with at least $10,000 in medical insurance coverage are not required to wear helmets. However, choosing not to wear a helmet can affect injury claims and compensation. Unlike other vehicles, motorcycles are exempt from Florida’s no-fault insurance laws, meaning you can file a claim against the at-fault party without meeting the serious injury threshold.
Florida follows a comparative negligence rule, allowing you to recover damages even if you are partially at fault, though your percentage of fault will reduce your compensation. It’s important to note that you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit for motorcycle accidents, according to the statute of limitations.
Navigating the legal landscape after a motorcycle accident involves understanding specific Florida laws:
- Helmet Laws: Riders over 21 with at least $10,000 in medical insurance coverage are not required to wear helmets. However, not wearing a helmet can affect injury claims and compensation.
- No-Fault Insurance Exemption: Florida’s no-fault insurance laws do not apply to motorcycles. You can file a claim against the at-fault party without meeting the serious injury threshold.
- Comparative Negligence Rule: Florida follows a comparative negligence system, allowing you to recover damages even if you are partially at fault, though your percentage of fault reduces compensation.
- Statute of Limitations: You have 2 years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit for motorcycle accidents.
How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You Recover Compensation
Hiring an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can significantly impact the outcome of your case. An attorney will begin by assessing the merits of your claim and determining potential compensation. They will gather crucial evidence such as accident reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony. Your lawyer will handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies to seek a fair settlement.
If a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached, they will advocate on your behalf in court. The goal is to maximize your compensation by recovering damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and other losses. An attorney’s expertise can navigate the complexities of motorcycle accident claims, allowing you to focus on recovery while they handle the legal challenges.
Hiring an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can significantly impact the outcome of your case:
- Case Evaluation: Assess the merits of your case and determine potential compensation.
- Evidence Collection: Gather crucial evidence such as accident reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony.
- Negotiation with Insurance Companies: Handle communications and negotiations to seek a fair settlement.
- Legal Representation: Advocate on your behalf in court if a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached.
- Maximizing Compensation: Aim to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and other losses.
An attorney’s expertise can navigate the complexities of motorcycle accident claims, allowing you to focus on recovery while they handle the legal challenges.
What Is the Insurance Claims Process Like After a West Palm Beach Motorcycle Wreck?
Filing an insurance claim can be daunting, especially if you are trying to recuperate from your crash-related injuries. Our firm has skilled and knowledgeable attorneys who take the guesswork out of this process for you.
We will contact the other party’s auto insurer to alert them about your claim and begin settlement negotiations on your behalf with the company. Auto insurers typically want to underpay claims and offer low settlements.
They may also claim you played a part in causing the accident or contributed to your injuries. This is especially true if you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
How Comparative Fault Can Affect Your Claim
While Florida state law allows insured riders aged 21 and older to ride without helmets, many insurance companies have successfully argued that these riders share some blame for their injuries. This is called comparative negligence. If the insurance company can assign fault to you, it can use it to undo your fair settlement.
Under Florida’s comparative fault statute, accident motorcycle accident victims can seek compensation, but the court will reduce their awards based on their percentage of fault. For example, if the court assigns you 30% fault for not wearing a helmet, and you had $100,000 in damages, you would receive $70,000. Insurance agents know the law and will apply it to your claim.
We know how to defend against these tactics to get you the compensation you deserve. We fight to make sure you get the highest settlement offer possible. If the insurance company is unwilling to offer a fair amount, we can file a suit and take your case to court.
Our West Palm Beach Motorcycle Crash Lawyers Are Ready To Represent You – Call Today
The personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine will work to recover maximum compensation for your losses in a West Palm Beach motorbike accident. As noted above, our motorcycle accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, and we offer a no-cost consultation. There is no risk to you.
We have a team of motorcycle accident lawyers with decades of experience ready to help you get justice for your injuries. Contact us today to discuss your options.