Motorcycle Accident Attorney Miami
Injuries stemming from motorcycle accidents tend to be more severe, often resulting in a higher settlement. This usually makes motorcycle accidents entirely different cases than those arising from other motor vehicle collisions due to various legal issues surrounding fault and negligence, including whether the injured party was wearing protective gear.
Common Reasons for Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle crashes can occur for a number of reasons, which could include driver negligence. Negligent acts that may result in an accident include:
- Swerving in front of a motorcyclist
- Cutting off a motorcyclist at an intersection
- Failing to follow posted speed limits
- Failing to yield appropriately
- Failing to leave sufficient space between vehicles
- Failing to observe a motorcyclist changing or entering lanes
- Neglecting to be appropriately aware of other drivers
- Driving under the influence
An inability to recognize motorcyclists in traffic including a failure to yield are among the most common causes of motorcycle crashes. These accidents often occur from motor vehicle drivers who do not exercise proper care when making left-hand turns at intersections. Left-turn accidents can be caused by drivers who:
- Underestimate the motorcyclist’s speed or distance
- Fail to see the motorcyclist
- Overreact and stop in the motorcyclist’s path
- Trust the judgment of another driver, who also fails to see the motorcyclist
Motorcycle Personal Injury Lawyers
Cases of motorcycle accidents fall under the category of personal injury, based on the notion of negligence. This means that your attorney will have to prove that the other driver in the accident was at fault due to a failure of exercising a reasonable standard of care. The motorcycle attorneys at Panter, Panter & Sampedro will conduct an investigation to learn more about the incident, which includes whether the other driver followed traffic laws, paid attention to his or her surroundings, was driving under the influence etc.
It is often difficult for injured motorcycle riders to recover compensation following an accident, especially if they are pursuing the claim without the assistance of a lawyer. In some states, Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, is only required for vehicles with four or more wheels and therefore motorcyclists are not permitted to carry this type of coverage. And even if the motorcyclist owns a car that is covered with PIP insurance, that coverage does not extend to accidents that occur on the motorcycle.
If you are an uninsured motorcyclist who is struggling to pay for costly medical bills, especially an injury that prevents you from working, the attorney’s at Panter, Panter & Sampedro can explain your options for pursuing compensation for your losses.
Motorcycle Accidents in Florida
Motorcycles are inherently dangerous vehicles. But this does not mean that motorcyclists take their own fates into their hands whenever they get on the road. An injured motorcyclist has the same right to demand compensation from a negligent driver as any other motorist.
Working with a qualified motorcycle accident Miami attorney as soon as possible after a crash could help to ensure the injured party does not miss the deadline to file a lawsuit set by Florida’s statute of limitations.
*On March 24, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill (HB) 837 reducing Florida’s statute of limitations for general negligence cases from four years to two years. In other words, a lawsuit alleging negligence which accrued after March 24, 2023 must now be filed within two years of the date of the alleged negligence or the claim will be forever barred.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The Miami Herald reported that Florida leads the nation in total annual fatal motorcycle accidents, with South Florida, including Miami-Dade County, Palm Beach County and Broward County being overrepresented among serious crashes. According to the US Department of Transportation, there are more than 600,000 motorcycle’s registered in the state of Florida. Unfortunately, our roads are simply not safe for motorcyclists all too often.
According to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, over 9,000 motorcycle crashes were recorded in Florida in 2018. Of those, 85% resulted in reported injuries and around 55% of those accidents included a driver under the influence of alcohol.
Panter, Panter & Sampedro Has Represented Victims of Motorcycle Accidents For Over 30 Years
If you have suffered a serious injury as a result of a motorcycle accident, we can help you. Our firm has obtained verdicts and settlements in excess of $100 million for our clients. Call us now at 305-662-6178 for a FREE CONSULTATION with our experienced South Florida injury lawyers.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers work with a variety of experts who assist them in investigation, accident reconstruction, crashworthiness testing, and obtaining and reviewing witness testimony to vigorously pursue all liable parties and maximize compensation for our client, especially if alcohol was involved.
We are also sensitive to the fact that people who have been injured need more than just legal help. Because of that, we make a strong effort to provide support and assistance in other ways. We have an on-staff critical care nurse to evaluate motorcycle accident injuries and to arrange for the best medical care available. We encourage questions and respond to concerns promptly. Likewise, we keep clients fully informed and involved throughout the process.
Lastly, putting together a clear, compelling story of what happened and why takes hard work and thorough preparation. Our dedication to practicing this way has produced proven results in previous bike accident injury cases and has led to many referrals from other lawyers and medical professionals in Florida. All motorcycle accidents are taken on a contingency basis; you pay no fees unless we make a recovery for you. If you’ve been seriously injured in a bike crash or have a family member who has suffered a closed head injury as the result of a motorcycle wreck, call our Miami law office at 305-662-6178 for a FREE CONSULTATION.