Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident?

When an individual experiences a motorcycle accident in Florida, their injuries can be extensive and catastrophic. The stress and uncertainty over the future can only increase as victims watch the medical expenses flow in and realize they are unable to return to work anytime soon to earn a living wage. In these cases, if your accident was caused by the negligence of another, you may have grounds to file a claim, and a Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyer can help.

Drivers on the roadways do not typically look for motorcycles when operating their motor vehicles. With so many people using their phones when they drive, negligent drivers cause more distracted driving accidents than ever before. This means that there is a higher likelihood for motorcyclists to suffer harm in an accident than those in cars or trucks.

Collisions with these vehicles can result in serious and life-changing injuries. If you were injured or a loved one has wrongfully died in a motorcycle accident, trust the Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident attorneys at The Law Office of John D. Ameen, P.A. with your case. Schedule your free consultation with our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers by dialing 954-763-4950 or contacting us online.

Common Reasons for Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accidents

A motorcycle accident can occur for a wide range of reasons. However, the most common of these reasons often involve the negligence of other drivers on the roadways. Many motorists fail to notice the presence of motorcycles, which can cause devastating accidents that lead to extensive injuries and even death. Some of the most common causes of Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accidents include the following:

• Distracted Driving: One of the leading causes of all motorized vehicle accidents, including those that involve motorcycles, is distracted driving. This can occur for a litany of reasons, such as texting while driving, eating or drinking while driving, applying make-up, talking on the phone, interacting with passengers in your vehicle, or reaching for something in the car. A simple lapse in attention to the road can place many at risk.
• Failure to Yield: When a driver of a motorized vehicle fails to yield to other drivers, especially at intersections, this can result in devastating consequences. Many motorcycle fatalities can occur at intersections when the driver of a car is not paying attention and takes a left turn while the motorcyclist is going straight. The injuries that occur can be life-altering or fatal.
• Speeding: Another very common factor that contributes to motorcycle accidents is speeding or other forms of reckless driving. The faster a driver goes, the less time they have to react to situations that have the potential to lead to collisions. When a driver increases their speed out of frustration or simple recklessness, it can increase the risk of accidents for all those around them.
• Driving Under the Influence: When a driver operates their vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, not only is this illegal, it can have horrific consequences. Driving while impaired due to substances can harm the driver’s ability to focus on the road and the motorists around them. It can cause their response time to be much slower, creating a dangerous situation. This can lead to horrible accidents and even death.

We Aggressively Pursue Compensation

After a motorcycle accident, you have four years from the date of the accident to bring a lawsuit against a negligent driver. Florida allocates compensation based on the “pure comparative cost rule,” meaning that you can still recover compensation if you were partly at fault for the accident.

However, whatever percentage of responsibility you are determined to have for the accident will be deducted from your total damages. Having attorneys on your side who can aggressively pursue the maximum financial award can make a difference in the outcome of your case. At The Law Office of John D. Ameen, P.A., we represent individuals injured in motorcycle accidents involving:

• Drunk drivers
• Uninsured drivers (UM Claims)
• Trucking companies or commercial vehicles
• Other negligent persons

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcycle accidents result in painful injuries, no matter what type of accident you are involved in. Without the thick metal frame and protections afforded to other vehicles, motorcyclists are directly exposed to the impact of the crash. Types of injuries we often see from motorcycle accidents include:

• Broken bones
• Herniated discs
• Spinal cord injury
• Brain damage
• Paralysis
• Head injuries
• Road rash
• Burns

Our legal team is dedicated to maximizing your compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, property damage, and more. An accident impedes your ability to work, which increases the stress associated with medical treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery from any injuries. We believe that all of these factors increase the amount the injured party is entitled to under the law.

Damages Available in a Motorcycle Accident Claim

Suffering an injury in a motorcycle accident can lead to a need for damage recovery. You have likely sustained harm to both yourself and your bike and deserve compensation to recover. The most common forms of compensation available to individuals who suffer a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another driver include the following:

• Medical Costs: Accidents involving motorcycles can often lead to severe injuries for the driver of the motorcycle rather than the driver of the car or other vehicle, as a motorcycle offers less protection. You may need compensation to cover hospital stays, emergency services, transportation, follow-up care, surgeries, necessary procedures, physical therapy, medical devices, or in-home care.
• Lost Wages: If you have been extremely harmed, you may not be able to return to your place of work for weeks, months, or even, in the most severe of cases, ever. If you are temporarily or permanently disabled and can no longer earn a living wage, you can pursue compensation to help with both your current lost income and any potential income you would have earned in the future if not for your injuries.
• Pain and Suffering: A form of non-economic damages, or damages that do not have an actual, tangible monetary amount assigned to them, pain and suffering can account for your physical pain or discomfort and the impact your injury has on your life. These can be difficult damages to calculate properly, but the attorneys at The Law Offices of John D. Ameen, P.A. have the tools necessary to do so.
• Emotional Distress: These types of damages are another type of non-economic compensation that refers to the emotional or psychological suffering you have dealt with because of your accident. These can also be difficult to calculate, but the team at The Law Offices of John D. Ameen, P.A. can help.
• Punitive Damages: In rare cases, you could pursue punitive damages. These will only apply to cases where the actions of the negligent party are deemed to be especially egregious. These damages are awarded to punish the party and discourage them from taking similar actions in the future. Often, these damages can be awarded in claims involving drunk or impaired driving.
• Wrongful Death: If an individual dies as a result of a motorcycle accident, their family members or dependents might have the ability to seek a claim for wrongful death benefits. These benefits can cover any funeral or burial costs related to the death.

FAQs

Free Case Consultations in English, Spanish & Creole

If you are injured in an accident because of the negligence of another, our motorcycle accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale can help. We offer free case consultations in English, Spanish, and Creole to help you understand your rights during this stressful time. The injured and their families should never bear the burden of someone else’s actions. We provide the personalized attention you come to expect from a small law firm with the resources of a large law firm.

If you have suffered a motorcycle accident in Florida, we are here to offer the legal support and assistance you deserve. Contact our offices today to learn more.