MOTORCYLCE ACCIDENT:
SERIOUS INJURIES DEMAND SERIOUS ATTENTION
Motorcycle accidents and fatalities are on the rise in Florida and nationwide after years of declining, with an influx of Baby Boomers riding motorcycles and some states like Florida relaxing their helmet laws. Many common concerns about motorcycle accident claims, such as motorcycle accident attorneys’ fees and caps on damages, are covered under the section on Frequent Questions. We also offer tips for steps to follow after a motorcycle accident to preserve evidence and increase your chances to maximize your monetary recovery.
Insurance and liability issues are particularly important in personal injury claims for motorcycle accidents: no-fault insurance coverage, comparative negligence if both drivers are partly to blame, and what happens if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured. Your motorcycle accident attorney should be familiar with motorcycle manufacturer recalls, motorcycle helmet laws, and other statutes pertaining to motorcycles and injury litigation.
Statistically speaking, motorcycle accidents are far more likely to result in fatality or catastrophic injury, including brain and spinal injuries. Even “minor” crashes can result in severe fractures and road rash for the biker, while the auto driver survives the accident without harm. A qualified motorcycle accident attorney will help you pursue full compensation, including future medical care, lost earning potential, and damages for loss of enjoyment of life.
While motorcycles and automobiles share similarities in that they both travel on Florida streets, highways and rural roads, a motorcycle accident differs significantly from a car crash. The injuries from a motorbike crash more often tend to be catastrophic. Furthermore, some insurers and juries seem to believe that motorcyclists should share more of the liability themselves, due to the inherent risks involved in motorcycling.
It’s no secret that motorcyclists in Florida love to feel the wind blowing in their hair and the glorious freedom of the open road. In addition to the simple pleasures of biking, motorcycle use has flourished in Florida’s Tampa Bay area for several reasons:
- Motorcycles are relatively inexpensive to buy;
- They use less fuel than other vehicles;
- Florida has pleasant weather all year long;
- Florida hosts several large biker events every year;
- Florida has more relaxed helmet laws than many other states.
Meanwhile, roads in the Tampa Bay area are crowded with millions of other vehicles from all over the country. Unfortunately, many drivers do not understand how to maneuver around motorcycles. Many motorcycle accidents have been unavoidable because another vehicle:
- Drove too close to a motorcycle;
- Turned in front of a motorcycle;
- Did not see a motorcycle when changing lanes.
One mistake from another driver can send a motorcycle spinning out of control. There are many other factors in motorcycle accidents as well, including road hazards, bike defects, and dangerous driving conditions. Regardless of what caused your accident, you deserve an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer who knows how to defend your rights. Being only a few inches from the asphalt, a motorcyclist who is in an accident almost always sustains an injury and must go to the hospital immediately. That is the first reason you need a motorcycle accident lawyer quickly. After an injury or death from a motorcycle accident, you must consider who will pay for:
- Medical bills;
- Disabilities;
- Lost wages;
- Decreased or lost earning abilities;
- Pain and suffering;
- Property damage.
Regrettably, you cannot always depend on insurance to pay for all of these things, and that’s where a Tampa, Florida motorcycle accident attorney can help you the most. According to a report prepared for the Florida Department of Transportation in 2004, the average motorcycle crash patient in a Florida trauma center, helmeted and non-helmeted, incurred charges ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 for the hospital bill alone. What if the insurance companies involved refuse to cover medical expenses, plus the other damages from the accident? Will you be in any condition to fight them alone?
You need a motorcycle accident attorney who can handle both motorcycle injuries and motorcycle deaths. Once we take your case at STAMATAKIS + THALJI, our motorcycle accident attorneys will passionately pursue justice for you.
Motorcyclists should always purchase as much insurance as they can afford.
CONTACT STAMATAKIS + THALJI for your FREE Consultation.
“As an avid motorcycle enthusiast I understand that the only way to make the roads safer for motorcyclists is to aggressivley prusue those reckless and careless drivers that make our roads a danger. I tell every fellow biker that will listen to make sure they have maximum insurance, because the inujuries that happen in these accidents are usually very severe.” — Scott Stamatakis, Founder, STAMATAKIS + THALJI