If you were involved in a Miramar motorcycle accident, you are likely looking for solutions to many different problems. You may not know how you are going to pay your medical bills. You may not know when, or even if, you will be able to go to work again. Even if you think someone else is at fault for your accident, you may not know how to prove it.
Every day, the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine helps victims of motorcycle accidents find answers to these questions. We understand the problems that motorcycle accident victims face, and help them get their lives back on track. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Miramar may be able to help you too. Schedule a free consultation today.
How Are Motorcycle Accidents Different Than Car Accidents?
Motorcycle riders face special risks when they are in accidents because of the lighter weight and smaller size of their bikes compared to cars and trucks. Because of these weight and size differences, motorcycle riders may suffer serious injury even in accidents that may seem “minor.”
Motorcycle riders also do not have a steel frame protecting them the way someone in a car does. In a motorcycle accident, a rider’s body may suffer injuries both in the initial impact and when it hits the ground after going airborne.
In addition, motorcycle riders often face bias in accidents. Because many people believe motorcycles are inherently dangerous, they also believe the rider was at fault in many situations. Our Miramar personal injury lawyers know this bias and we know how to fight against it.
How Can I Prove Who Was Responsible for My Accident?
Even though many people believe riders cause accidents, drivers are responsible for the majority of collisions that occur, according to a study by the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research. Drivers can be responsible in any of the following ways:
Failure to Observe
Because of a motorcycle’s size, car drivers who are not paying attention to the road may not see motorcyclists. This commonly occurs at intersections when passenger car drivers make a left turn and crash into a rider going through the intersection. Failure to observe can also result in accidents when merging or changing lanes.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is dangerous to all road users. However, it can be deadly for motorcycle riders. A rear-end collision caused by a distracted driver might result in some moderate to severe injuries for another passenger car driver. For a motorcyclist, it can be catastrophic or deadly.
Roadway Hazards
Small debris that a car could easily run over can topple a motorcycle. Debris that flies off commercial trucks or that shoots up from the wheels of bigger vehicles can cause serious injury to the rider’s body. Depending on the circumstances, we might be able to hold the party liable that left the debris behind (e.g., if a part fell off because of poor maintenance or if a driver did not tie down cargo).
If your accident resulted from potholes or other issues with the roadway, we might be able to hold the entity responsible for roadway maintenance liable for your injuries.
How Do I Prove I Suffered Injuries and Losses?
The most important thing to do if you suffer injuries in a motorcycle accident is to get medical help, and to continue getting treatment for as long as you need it. Your medical records are the best proof of how injured you are.
We will gather and analyze your medical records, and prepare your doctors to testify on your behalf if needed.
If you needed to take time off or cannot return to work at all, we can use your paystubs, W-2s, information from your employer, and testimony from a financial expert to establish how much you would have made over time had you not suffered your injury.
Your own testimony about how the accident has affected your life is also important to proving your damages. We will also use testimony from friends, family, and coworkers to establish your mental state since the accident. Attorneys for the other side are skilled at making you appear less injured than you are. You need attorneys that know how to help you explain how the accident has changed your life.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit in Miramar?
There are strict time limits to file a lawsuit for damages after a motorcycle accident. You have only four years after an accident, or two years in a wrongful death case, to sue.
During this time, both sides can lose evidence, memories can fade, or people can move away. Do not risk your right to compensation by waiting to file a claim.
Should I Accept a Settlement From the Insurance Company?
No. You should not accept a settlement from the insurance company without speaking with us first. We will ensure it covers all your losses and expenses from the accident, as well as the noneconomic damages you suffered.
Remember that if you accept a settlement, you cannot go back and get more money, even if your injuries worsen or you are unable to go back to work.
We Can Help Motorcycle Riders Recover Damages. Call Us Today.
The Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine understands the questions that motorcyclists in Miramar may have after an accident. We can help you fight against insurance companies who try to lowball you or blame you for your accident.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your motorcycle accident case.
We Can Help.
