Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle riders and their families deserve fair compensation when a negligent driver causes their accident-related injuries. If you suffered injuries and other losses in a Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident, our lawyers can file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit to seek financial recovery.

When another party causes or contributes to a motorcycle crash, the rider (or their family members in fatal cases) can file a claim against the liable party to pursue compensation for expenses and losses. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine offers free case reviews. You can speak with one of our team representatives about how a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer can build your case.

Do I Have A Valid Motorcycle Accident Claim?

When determining the validity of a motorcycle claim, the first factor that you must address is who is at fault for the accident. That is, why did the accident occur, and who caused it? Motorcycle accident claims fall under personal injury law, which requires plaintiffs to establish how another party’s negligence caused the accident that led to their injuries.

To establish negligence, you must be able to prove the following points:

• Duty of care: The defendant had a duty to keep you from harm. For example, drivers are prohibited from operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Breach of duty of care: The defendant breached, or violated, their duty of care through their actions or inactions. For example, the driver chose to drive while intoxicated instead of paying for a taxi or walking home.
• Causation: This point requires you to make a connection between the defendant’s breach of duty and how the accident occurred, essentially proving why it occurred. For example, alcohol lowered the driver’s motor skills, judgment, and vision, making them a risk on the road. Because of their intoxication, the driver ran a red light, which caused them to hit your motorcycle in the intersection.
• Damages: You suffered injuries and related damages in the motorcycle accident. The point allows you to list how the accident harmed you physically and emotionally, as well as any financial losses you suffered.

These four points build the basic structure of your case argument. However, for many people, not all points will be obvious immediately and may require further investigation to establish each point. Our legal team will investigate your accident for you to collect evidence so that we can prepare your case against the liable party.

Other Ways Negligence Can Factor Into Fort Lauderdale, FL, Motorcycle Accident Cases

Below are a few other examples of scenarios in which you would probably qualify to file a Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident claim:

• The driver was speeding or cut you off.
• Defective motorcycle parts caused you to crash.
• The driver was texting while driving.
• The roads were poorly maintained, e.g., potholes, uneven pavement, road debris, etc.

These examples showcase how further investigation might be necessary, whether it involves having a mechanic inspect your motorcycle for defects or requesting cellphone records from the defendant’s service provider to prove they were actually texting at the time of the accident.

So, if you are unsure about whether you have a solid case against the liable party, feel free to speak with one of our team members. We will listen to your case and discuss what one of our attorneys can do to build your case and represent you in litigation.

What If I Am Partly At Fault For My Motorcycle Accident?

In negligent motorcycle rider accidents, the fault is shared, so Florida’s comparative negligence rule applies. This rule provides that you can still file a claim and recover damages when you are partially responsible for the crash, but your degree of fault will reduce or disqualify your compensation, depending on the amount.

So, if the courts find you 40 percent at fault and your damages total $100,000, you will only recover 60 percent of your award. This means you will only recover $60,000.

What Factors Can Put Partial Fault on the Plaintiff?

Any type of careless or negligent behavior that contributed to the accident may apportion you with partial fault. For example, you may share the fault for:

• Lane splitting
• Riding along the shoulder
• Speeding and swerving in and out of lanes
• Not using proper signals
• Speeding through an intersection

Still, an insurer may try to undervalue or deny your claim by attributing more fault to you. In this case, our Fort Lauderdale, FL, motorcycle accident attorneys can challenge an insurance company’s determination of fault. We can conduct our own independent investigation and present our evidence to the insurer.

One of our Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyers can discuss more about fault and liability in your case and how to proceed with your claim during future consultations.

Understanding Motorcycle Accident Laws in Fort Lauderdale

Motorcycle accidents in Fort Lauderdale can have devastating consequences due to the exposed nature of riders. Navigating the legal aftermath requires a comprehensive understanding of Florida’s motorcycle laws and how they may affect your claim. Florida mandates that all motorcyclists carry a valid motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license and adhere to specific regulations regarding helmet use and insurance requirements. While riders over the age of 21 with at least $10,000 in medical insurance coverage are not legally required to wear a helmet, choosing not to wear one can impact the outcome of an injury claim by potentially reducing the compensation awarded.

Florida operates under a pure comparative negligence system. This means that if you are found partially at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are deemed 20% responsible for the accident, any awarded damages will be reduced by 20%. Understanding these nuances is crucial for establishing liability and maximizing potential compensation.

What Types Of Damages Can I Recover For A Motorcycle Accident?

Motorcycle accidents can cause serious, debilitating injuries, such as head trauma, amputation, facial and dental injuries, scarring and burns, fractured bones, and spinal cord damage. Damages tend to be rather high in these cases to compensate victims for all the medical care they need and for short- or long-term disability.

There are two main categories of damages our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers may be able to obtain in a motorcycle accident case:

Special Damages

Special damages, or economic damages, compensate you for your actual financial losses, such as:

• Medical bills, including ongoing medical expenses
• Rehabilitation costs
• Transportation expenses for medical care
• In-home nursing care costs
• Household services
• Your loss of income
• Reduced earning capacity
• Future financial losses you might expect if your injuries are long-term or permanent (e.g., future income loss)

Our team may collect receipts, invoices, and other financial records to prove the monetary value of your damages. You may also claim other damages not listed here, such as costs for wheelchairs or other mobility devices, if applicable.

General Damages

General damages, or non-economic damages, compensate you for the intangible harms you sustain, such as:

• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability
• Physical disfigurement
• Diminished quality of life

Courts and insurers typically use a basic formula to estimate and assign a dollar value to non-monetary losses.

There are numerous factors that affect the value of a motorcycle accident claim. The details of the insurance policies, fault, the severity of your injuries, your prognosis, whether the claim goes to court, and the strength of your evidence can all play a role in the final outcome of your case.

Wrongful Death Damages

Unfortunately, many motorcyclists pass away as a result of their accident injuries. Surviving family members may qualify to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit, which would allow them to pursue compensation on behalf of their late loved one. Wrongful death damages may include:

• Funeral expenses
• Medical debts inherited
• Loss of inheritance
• Loss of parental guidance
• Loss of companionship, love, and affection
• Loss of financial support

Grieving the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming. Our Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyers can help you hold the liable party accountable so that you may be able to recover some practical losses. We’ll handle your case to give you and your family space to process your loss.

I Want To File A Motorcycle Accident Claim. Where Do I Begin?

After you have tended to your immediate medical concerns, some proactive steps you can take include:

• Filing a crash report with the local police of where the accident occurred
• Taking photos of the accident scene, involved vehicles, and injuries you sustained
• Calling our law firm to get a free case review

Our team representatives will assess your case, investigate the facts, and counsel you on how to best proceed, given your unique circumstances.

We Know How to Build Your Case

Our negligence lawyers will offer you advice concerning your case’s documentation and evidence, reconstruction with the help of experts, witnesses’ testimonies, and so on. In most cases, our attorneys will perform thorough research concerning liability. For instance, if your accident also involved a pedestrian, a pedestrian accident attorney from our firm will also investigate your case. The main idea here is to build a solid claim or lawsuit so you can maximize your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve.

In the meantime, there are several things you can do to improve your chances of having a successful claim. For example:

• Get medical care: Continue with your medical care and stick to your prescribed treatments. If you receive counseling or care from specialists, save copies of those records, too. This will help demonstrate the seriousness of your injuries.
• Gather as much evidence as you can to share with your lawyer: You need evidence to prove fault in a motorcycle accident, as well as to prove the extent of your injuries. For example, items such as the police report, eyewitness information, your personal account of what happened, and photos of the scene and damage to the vehicles might help prove your case.

How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You

Engaging an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can significantly impact the outcome of your case. An attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to gather evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and traffic camera footage. They will work to establish liability by demonstrating how the other party’s negligence led to the accident and your injuries. Your lawyer will handle all communications with insurance companies, which often attempt to minimize payouts or shift blame onto the motorcyclist. By negotiating on your behalf, they aim to secure a fair settlement that covers medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. If a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached, your attorney is prepared to represent you in court to advocate for your rights.

Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in Fort Lauderdale

Taking the right actions immediately following a motorcycle accident can protect your health and legal rights. First, ensure your safety and that of others by moving to a safe location if possible and calling 911 to report the accident. Provide accurate information to responding officers but avoid admitting fault or making speculative statements. If able, document the scene by taking photographs of your motorcycle, other vehicles involved, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses, as their testimonies may support your case. Notify your insurance company about the accident but refrain from providing detailed statements until you consult a lawyer.

Understanding Compensation Available to Motorcycle Accident Victims

Victims of motorcycle accidents may be entitled to various forms of compensation. Economic damages cover tangible losses such as medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages due to time off work. They also account for future medical expenses and diminished earning capacity if injuries affect your ability to work long-term. Non-economic damages address intangible losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases where the at-fault party’s conduct was particularly egregious, punitive damages may be awarded to punish them and deter similar behavior in the future. Understanding these potential avenues for compensation can help ensure you pursue a claim that fully addresses your losses.

The Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Claims in Florida

In Florida, there is a legal deadline, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a personal injury lawsuit resulting from a motorcycle accident. You have two years from the accident date to file your claim. Failing to do so within this timeframe can result in losing your right to seek compensation, regardless of the severity of your injuries or the clarity of the other party’s fault. This rule has limited exceptions, such as when the injured party is a minor or when the injury was not immediately discoverable. Consulting with a motorcycle accident lawyer promptly ensures all legal deadlines are met and your case is filed promptly.

Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accidents Cases Occur Frequently

Given the lack of safety features (e.g., crash-resistant frames, airbags, and seat belts), it is no surprise that motorcycle accidents tend to cause significant injuries and have a high fatality rate. In fact, motorcyclists were approximately 24 times as likely as passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash and four times as likely to sustain injuries, according to 2021 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Our Personal Injury Attorneys Take Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Cases on Contingency

We do not charge upfront fees or hourly retainers. You can access legal representation on contingency when you work with us. This means we only take a percentage of your potential compensation when your Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident claim or lawsuit concludes.

This way, you can seek compensation without taking focus away from your health. While you heal from your injuries, we can handle your personal injury claim.

Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Today for a Free Fort Lauderdale, FL, Motorcycle Accident Case Review

Our Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine advocate for motorcycle accident victims and their families. We know that motorcycle accidents can lead to severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and neck injuries. You deserve to access the medical treatment you need to make your maximum medical recovery.

We are available to discuss your case in person or via phone. Call now for a free consultation to discuss your motorcycle accident today.