Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Boca Raton: Get the Compensation you Deserve

Motorcycle crashes often result in catastrophic injuries and significant damage. If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle mishap, our Boca Raton motorcycle accident lawyers are prepared to help you file a claim. You shouldn’t have to cover expenses out of pocket.

Dyson Law has the expertise, resources, and legal acumen to help you secure the highest possible compensation following your motorcycle accident. 

Don’t hesitate to contact Dyson Law, PLLC today for your free consultation by calling us at 561-498-9979 or completing the online form below.

Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accidents in Florida

In Florida, you have a 4-year window from the date of a motorcycle accident to file an injury claim. 

If a death occurs, surviving family members only have two years from the accident date to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If you’re filing an injury claim against a government official you believe caused your injuries, the statute of limitations is three years.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

In Florida, motorcycle insurance doesn’t provide medical payments coverage, also known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP), mandatory for drivers of four-wheeled vehicles in the state. Furthermore, motorcyclists cannot purchase PIP coverage. As a result, if you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, you’ll be responsible for covering your medical bills immediately.

It’s essential for motorcyclists who’ve been hurt in a Florida accident, regardless of injury severity, to consult with a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer. This will enable them to recover damages from the responsible party.

Regrettably, injured motorcyclists and their passengers may encounter various challenges when seeking compensation for their injuries or other damages resulting from an accident. This is primarily because PIP insurance isn’t required for motorcyclists, so an accident leading to injury or lost wages can cause financial strain.

Here are a few more things to do after a motorcycle accident:

Seek medical assistance

A lawyer would advise you to prioritize your safety before proceeding with legal matters. Police officers at the scene can arrange for a medical professional to examine you, as some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, may not display immediate symptoms.

Collect Contact Information

Obtain contact information from other drivers involved in the accident and witnesses. This information will be crucial later. Gather license plate numbers, insurance details, phone numbers, email addresses, and full names.

Acting quickly ensures that other drivers don’t leave the scene prematurely. Having their contact information will allow you to pursue compensation for your personal injury if they are found responsible.

Take Photos

A Boca Raton personal injury lawyer can assist with this step, but gathering photographic evidence as soon as possible is helpful. Photos taken immediately after an accident can be valuable during a trial or settlement negotiation.

Photos are often more reliable than written statements about an accident. While police officers will also take pictures, capturing your own images before the scene is cleared can provide additional evidence. Anyone can make mistakes, including officers. Although it’s not guaranteed that the photos will help, they might provide peace of mind.

Refrain from Discussing the Claim

Be mindful that anything you say can be recorded and used in court later. Avoid talking to other drivers or anyone else at the scene. If your statements sound like an admission of guilt, they could be used against you. 

This is why consulting a Boca Raton motorcycle accident lawyer is crucial, as they can advise you on how to communicate with other motorists, police, witnesses, etc.

Generally, avoid discussing accident details with anyone, particularly on social media. Investigators may use comments or posts against you, even seemingly harmless photos that show you looking unharmed. It’s advisable to stay off social media until the situation is resolved.

Beware of Early Settlements

Insurance companies investigating the accident might present an early settlement offer after knowing who is at fault. One of their tactics is to propose small settlements to potential victims, hoping to avoid larger payouts. They may persuade you to waive your right to a trial but don’t fall for it. Consult a lawyer first.

Injuries Sustained in a Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents often lead to severe injuries and fatalities. Such injuries include:

• Head and traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Joint injuries
• Fractures
• Paralysis
• Amputations
• Organ damage
• Burns
• Cuts
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Permanent disability
• Wrongful death

Motorcyclists have minimal protection against cars weighing several tons, so collisions with any moving vehicle can result in the aforementioned injuries. 

These injuries can lead to substantial damages, creating an immense financial burden.

During your motorcycle accident lawsuit, you can hold the responsible party accountable for initial and future medical expenses related to the injury. You may also be eligible to recover lost wages or loss of earning capacity and compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other applicable legal damages.

A 2019 Federal Reserve study on U.S. households’ economic well-being revealed that most Americans can’t afford an unexpected $400 expense. Motorcycle injury costs can easily exceed $400. You don’t have to fall into debt to cover your damages. Don’t let the insurance company shortchange you by offering less than you deserve.

Common Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Negligent Drivers

Motorcycle riders can also suffer injuries due to general negligence. For instance, the NHTSA states that reading a single text while driving at 55 mph takes your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds.

At this speed, you would cover an entire football field without looking. Essentially, it’s like driving that distance with your eyes shut. Not only is this illegal in many places, but it’s also extremely dangerous and negligent.

People often engage in other activities that may not be illegal but are equally hazardous. These activities include eating, drinking, adjusting the radio, grooming, talking to passengers, reading, and more.

Negligence Leads to Injuries for Motorcycle Riders

Inattentive motorists might turn left without noticing a motorcycle rider, causing severe injuries. If a city fails to clean up debris on the road, it can lead to a motorbike skidding. 

Car drivers who change lanes without paying attention might not see a motorbike and seriously injure the rider. There are countless ways negligence causes injuries. The key is finding a lawyer who can use this to establish fault.

Drivers of passenger cars who ignore traffic safety laws, multitask behind the wheel or drive unsafely cause motorcycle accidents. While motorcycles and scooters can be involved in similar accidents as passenger cars, there are unique types of crashes that impact riders:

Left Turn Accidents

If a motorist fails to see a motorcycle or misjudges its speed, they might turn at an intersection in front of the rider. Sometimes drivers only notice the absence of cars, not motorcycles.

Skidding on Road Debris

Poorly maintained roads or hazards created by debris falling from large vehicles can pose significant crash risks for riders. While cars can handle such obstacles without noticing them, they can be extremely dangerous for motorcyclists.

Cars Changing Lanes into a Motorcyclist

When a car driver suddenly veers into the space occupied by a motorcyclist in an adjacent lane, the results can be fatal. Motorcycles can easily fit into a driver’s blind spot, increasing the risk of accidents.

Rear-End Collisions

The consequences of a rear-end collision can be drastically different for motorcyclists compared to other vehicle types. Although fault might be relatively clear in such situations, insurance companies often try to minimize injuries due to their liability exposure.

Car Door Opening

The largest traffic gap might be between active traffic and parked cars. While riding through this path, an inattentive driver might open a car door into a motorcyclist’s path.

This type of inattention is hazardous, so the area within a door’s width of parked cars is called “The Death Zone.”

Finding the Best Motor Accident Lawyer Near You

These are just a few examples of unique motorcycle collisions our law firm handles for personal injury and wrongful death victims. Our Boca Raton motorcycle accident lawyers represent many riders struck by distracted, speeding, drunk, or careless motorists. We understand that police reports may be biased against motorcyclists due to negative stereotypes and the need for the rider to be taken to the hospital before an interview. Our law firm also recognizes the unique handling and safety limitations of motorcycles, allowing us to analyze liability effectively.

If you’re ready to receive the help you need after a motor accident, give Dyson Law, PLLC a call at 561-498-9979 today or completing the online form below.