Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Hollywood, FL
Motorcycles allow you to enjoy the freedom of the road, but they don’t offer the seatbelts, airbags, and other protections of a car. A motorcycle accident can therefore lead to serious and expensive property damage and injuries, which is why you might want to consult with motorcycle accident lawyers in Hollywood, FL if you’re ever in a crash.
Are you looking for a boutique law firm with decades of experience and a track record of successful settlements and verdicts for motorcycle accident survivors? If you’re injured, reach out to Flaxman Law Group for a free consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Hollywood, FL.
Common Types of Motorcycle AccidentsMost motorcycle riders are careful when on their bikes, but road conditions and negligence on the part of other drivers can lead to many kinds of accidents, including:
- Left turn collisions, which can happen when a vehicle making a left turn at an intersection doesn’t see or yield to an oncoming motorcycle.
- Lane splitting collisions, which happen when a motorcycle tries to move between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic, causing a crash.
- Rear-end collisions, which can occur when a driver behind a motorcycle fails to notice the motorcycle or fails to stop in time.
- Side-swipe accidents, which happen if there is not enough space between lanes or if a vehicle tries to pass a motorcycle without leaving adequate room.
- Single-vehicle crashes, which can happen on bad roads or with high speeds, where a motorcyclist loses control of their vehicle.
- Head-on accidents, which are usually caused by a vehicle driving the wrong way and crashing into a motorcycle head-on.
- Car accidents involving motorcycles at intersections, which often occur when drivers fail to see or yield to motorcyclists.
- Parked vehicle incidents, common in parking lots, happen when a car pulls out or opens a door into the path of the motorcycle.
Knowing the common causes of accidents lets you stay prepared for the unexpected and allows you to stay safer on the roads. While in many cases it’s car drivers who fail to see motorcycles, being aware of the risks allows you to exercise additional caution, reducing your risk of a collision.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Hollywood, FLMotorcycle accidents in Florida can occur for many reasons, but some of the most common causes include:
- Distracted driving.
- Blind spots, including those caused by poor infrastructure.
- Incorrect lane changes.
- Poor weather.
- Inadequate road maintenance.
- Wildlife running in front of your motorcycle.
- Inexperienced riders.
- Drunk or drugged driving.
- Mechanical failure.
You can’t control what other drivers do, but you can work to be the safest rider yourself. If you’re riding a motorcycle, taking care of your ride and being cautious can help you stay safer on the roads you share with others.
Common Injuries Seen in Motorcycle AccidentsWith fewer layers of protection, motorcycles can mean a greater risk of injuries if you’re ever in a crash. There’s simply nothing between you and the pavement, meaning you’re at risk of:
- Road rash, which is a painful abrasion that happens when your skin scrapes against the pavement.
- Broken bones, including complex fractures that could require surgery.
- Potentially life-threatening traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Spinal cord injuries, which can include herniated discs or severe injuries that lead to paralysis.
- Potentially life-threatening internal injuries that could affect your major organs.
- Shoulder injuries, including dislocations or rotator cuff tears caused by the impact of the accident.
- Facial injuries, including cuts, bruises, scarring, or fractures.
- Knee injuries, including ligament injuries or fractures.
- Rib fractures or injuries to the chest caused by the impact of the accident.
- Fatalities, including those caused by head injuries or crushing injuries.
Wearing a helmet every time you get on your motorcycle and riding safely can help you reduce your risk. However, if you are in an accident the nature of motorcycle crashes can mean your injuries may be severe. In this case, working with motorcycle accident lawyers in Hollywood, FL can be important to make sure you get the compensation you need to pay for ongoing medical care.
Seeking Help with a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Hollywood, FLIf you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, working with a motorcycle accident attorney can help. Most laypeople simply don’t know the law enough to navigate the complex claims process on their own.
A motorcycle accident attorney has the experience to explain how the law could impact your case. A lawyer can explain whether you have a claim after your crash, and how much you could seek in compensation. He or she can also explain the strength of your case and the strategy you can use in pursuing compensation. This can be crucial information as you consider whether you file a claim.
Should you decide to file a claim, an attorney has the experience to take care of the details. At Flaxman Law Group, for example, our team can explain your options, represent you, file your claim, gather evidence in your case, and more. We’ll even arrange a rental car for you while your motorcycle is in the shop. We take care of all the details, including negotiating with insurers and other parties, so you can focus on healing.
Most important of all, our team seeks the fairest compensation for you. We seek out all liable parties and negotiate when insurance companies make low-ball offers. We’re willing to take your case to court if that’s what it takes. Our founder, Charles Flaxman, once worked in the insurance industry and knows the strategies insurers use, so our team can create a plan to seek compensation that covers your motorcycle repairs, medical bills, lost wages, and more.
How is Fault Determined in a Hollywood, FL Motorcycle AccidentsUnfortunately, motorcyclists are often blamed for motorcycle accidents, even when they’re not at fault. At Flaxman Law Group, our legal team has the resources to carefully investigate the accident. Depending on the situation, we may examine vehicle positions, road conditions, and any visible damages. We may look at police reports, medical records, surveillance camera footage, and other evidence to find out what happened.
Our team also has access to investigators and accident reconstruction experts, if needed, to determine how an accident happened and what caused your accident. We can even seek to secure cell phone records and other sources of data to determine if a driver was distracted, under the influence, or otherwise at fault in your accident.
Comparative Negligence in FloridaComparative negligence is a legal principle used to determine how much each party was at fault when more than one party is responsible for an accident. In Florida, this is known as "pure comparative negligence," which means that each party's degree of fault is determined, and damages are awarded according to the percentage assigned to each party. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for your accident and a car driver is found to be 80% at fault, you can still recover damages, but the amount will be reduced. So, if you’re awarded $100,000 in damages and are 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000.
Type of Compensation for Motorcycle AccidentsAfter a motorcycle accident in Florida, you can seek compensation for the injuries and damages you have suffered. These can be significant, so you may be able to seek financial recovery for the following:
- All medical costs related to your injury. This includes hospital bills, doctor visits, surgeries, medications, and physical therapy, as well as current and future medical expenses.
- Lost wages. If your injuries prevent you from working, you can seek compensation for the income you’ve lost during your recovery. You can also seek compensation for any expected future earnings losses if your injuries affect your ability to return to your previous job or require you to work in a different capacity.
- Pain and suffering. While it can be more subjective, pain and suffering compensation reflects the impact on your overall quality of life.
- Property damage. If your motorcycle or any other personal property was damaged, you can seek compensation to repair or replace these items.
- Incidental expenses. Compensation can cover the costs of making your living space or transportation more accessible and suitable for your situation. You can also seek compensation for the cost of transportation to doctors’ appointments and any additional expenses related to your injury.
You may not consider all the current and future costs of your motorcycle accident. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Hollywood can put an accurate number on your injuries and can work to secure compensation for you.
Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accidents in Hollywood, FLIn Florida, the general statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit, including those resulting from motorcycle accidents, is four years from the date of the accident. You have four years to bring a claim against the responsible party or their insurance company. There are some exceptions to this number.
While four years can seem like a long time, it’s important not to delay seeking legal representation. Waiting months or years can hurt your case. Evidence will go missing, the memories of any witnesses will fade, and the defendants can use your delay against you.
If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident in the Hollywood area, it’s important to seek out motorcycle accident lawyers in Hollywood, FL right away. Your attorney can start securing evidence and building a strong case. Crucially, your attorney can also negotiate and talk to insurers and other parties in your case on your behalf, which ensures you don’t make a costly error or sign away your rights without realizing it. The claims process is complex, and it’s easy to make a mistake that ends up costing you the right to compensation. An attorney can protect you from this eventuality.
If you’re looking for motorcycle accident lawyers in Hollywood, FL because you’ve been injured, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free consultation. Our legal team has decades of experience with vehicle and motorcycle accident claims, and we’ve secured court wins and settlements for thousands of injured people. We’ve even secured multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements.
Our founder, Charles Flaxman, worked in the insurance industry for ten years, and knowing insurance law and personal injury law from both sides of the aisle allows him to negotiate with insurers effectively. This experience also makes him willing to take your case to court if that’s the best way to get compensation for your injuries.
The reality is that a motorcycle accident in Coral Gables, Homestead, Hollywood, or any South Florida community can come with a life-changing price tag. You shouldn’t have to pay for all these costs, especially if you didn’t cause the accident. Talk to the father-son attorney team at Flaxman Law Group as soon as possible after your car accident to discuss ways you may be able to seek benefits from an insurance company and compensation you may need to cover your many accident costs.
Flaxman Law Group is a boutique, family-based law firm and we work tirelessly to seek compensation for those who have been injured. We even offer free initial consultation for injury survivors to make sure you can get legal information before you make any decisions in your case. We also work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay legal fees until and unless we recover money for your injuries. This allows you to pursue a meritorious claim without worrying about the upfront costs.
In addition to motorcycle accident injuries, we also represent survivors of truck accidents, car accidents, slip and falls, sports injuries, nursing home abuse cases, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, construction site accidents, and more. We may even be able to help you with your workers’ compensation claim.
If you’re injured, go ahead and call our firm at 866-352-9626. You can call us 24/7 to set up your free consultation. Let’s discuss the strategy we may be able to use to seek compensation for your injuries.