Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Stuart
Florida is a great place for riding motorcycles, thanks to its temperate, year-round climate. According to data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (FLHSMV), the Sunshine State is also one of the most treacherous places for motorcyclists. In such challenging times, seeking legal representation by an experienced Florida motorcycle accident lawyer is crucial to protect your rights, navigate the legal complexities, and maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation.
Our Personal Injury Attorneys
Despite its smaller population, Florida averages more motorcycle accident-related deaths than California. In the first 7 months of 2022, Florida logged 7,205 motorcycle crashes, 60 of which happened right here in Martin County. Many of these accidents resulted in severe bodily injuries, and 348 motorcyclists have lost their lives.
If you or a loved one were hurt in a motorcycle accident caused by another’s negligence, it’s crucial to have experienced legal representation. The Law Offices of Travis R. Walker, P.A. help victims from our headquarters in Stuart, Florida.
A knowledgeable Stuart personal injury attorney can handle insurance adjustors and the entire claims process from initial consultation through settlement negotiations. Don’t settle for less than you deserve after being hit by a careless driver. Your recovery, your health, and your livelihood are all on the line.
Our law firm offers consultations to help you understand how the law applies to your specific case.
Why Hire a Florida Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Accidents between motorbikes and vehicles happen in the blink of an eye. One second you’re cruising down the A1A, and the next, you’re lying unconscious by the side of the road. Sometimes, there is more than one vehicle is involved, which can make these injury claims even more complicated. Evidence of negligence can disappear quickly, highlighting the need for competent legal counsel.
Our skilled lawyers can optimize your chances of a successful monetary recovery against negligent parties, and take the following steps to build a solid case.
- Preserve valuable evidence such as traffic surveillance footage, cell phone records, and police reports
- Work with accident reconstruction specialists, economists, medical experts, and other professionals
- Handle all communications and negotiations with the defendant’s insurance company
- Ensure legal documents are filed within the statute of limitations
- Depose witnesses who saw the accident
- Assess the full value of all past, current, and future damages
- Represent you in court if settlement negotiations are not satisfactory
Florida Helmet and Motorcycle Laws
Motorcyclists who comply with state legislation on helmet use, equipment, and traffic regulations can help minimize the risk of being in a serious accident.
- Helmet laws: Motorcyclists over the age of 21 do not have to use a helmet if they have purchased an insurance policy providing at least $10,000 in property damage and personal injury benefits. Those under the age of 21 must wear a helmet at all times when operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle.
- Headlights: Florida statutes mandate that anyone operating a motorcycle, regardless of time of day, must keep their headlights on to improve visibility.
- Lane Splitting: Motorcyclists are expected to comply with the same traffic rules as other motorists. In Florida, lane splitting is illegal. Bikers who weave through traffic and are injured in a collision may be held partially responsible for any injuries that result.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents on the Treasure Coast
Because motorcycles are inherently more dangerous than vehicles, bikers often face unfair bias when it comes to determining responsibility in a collision. National studies on motorcycle-car crashes indicate that the driver of the vehicle or truck is usually at fault.
Some of the leading causes of accidents include motorists who are:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving while distracted
- Failing to obey stop signs or intersection lights
- Speeding
- Changing lanes without signaling first
- Failing to check blind spots before turning left
- Opening the car door without looking first
Many tragic collisions involve errors from both drivers and motorcyclists. Under Florida law, these damages are reduced by the percentage of fault that the victim shared, but you can still recover damages proportional to the at-fault driver’s share of the harm.
Injuries Sustained in Motorcycle Crashes
The average motorcycle weighs 600 pounds and affords no exterior protection in the event of impact with a larger and much heavier vehicle. Even a low-speed crash with a passenger car can produce devastating trauma. Head injuries are some of the most common suffered by motorcyclists. While helmet use has been proven to lower the risk of both head injury and death after a motorcycle accident, victims can still sustain life-threatening harm.
- Broken bones
- Organ damage
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
- Road rash and deep lacerations
- Burns
- Soft tissue injuries
- Concussion and traumatic brain injury
- Nerve damage
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
When you’re in the hospital and unable to work, you need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Stuart who can prove liability and advocate for your rights.
Legal Help after a Motorcycle Accident in Stuart, FL
There are a lot of variables that can cause a motorcycle accident, including bad road conditions, extreme weather, and even defective vehicle parts. Our attorneys will investigate the circumstances leading up to your collision and determine the best steps moving forward.
A successful claim can seek damages for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, rehabilitation expenses, as well as out-of-pocket costs related to the accident.
Your Three Steps to Moving Forward
Call our office or complete our contact form and set up an intake call with our Intake Coordinator.
Attend a virtual or in-office consultation so we can better understand your case and determine how we can help guide you to success.
Retain our firm so we may lead you through the legal process as quickly and painlessly as possible.
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