Riding a motorcycle can be exhilarating. Unfortunately, it can also be just as dangerous. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident in Town ‘n’ Country, Florida, you might need some help, both medically and financially.
A Town ‘N’ Country motorcycle accident lawyer can help you recover money to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional trauma from the accident. Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers has helped motorcycle accident victims since 1996. During that time, we have recovered over $120 million for our clients.
Give us a call at (813) 686-7588 to set up a free consultation with our Town ‘N’ Country attorneys and discuss the details of your case.
How Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Motorcycle Accident in Town ‘N’ Country, FL
Hiring a lawyer may be the last thing on your mind after a motorcycle accident. However, for most victims, it should be the first.
The attorneys with Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers have over 50 years of f combined experience. We have seen every type of motorcycle accident and injury. Our team is recognized nationally as Super Lawyers and locally among the top trial attorneys in the region.
When you hire our Town ‘N’ Country personal injury lawyers to represent you, you will get access to:
- Honest and high-quality legal advice
- A dedicated team of trial lawyers
- Paralegals and support staff to keep your case organized
- Fierce negotiators who aren’t afraid to go to trial
Contact our law office serving Town ‘N’ Country, Florida, to learn more about how we can help you after a motorcycle crash. We work on a contingency fee basis, so there’s no risk in hiring us. If we don’t win or settle your case, you don’t pay us a dime.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Florida?
Motorcycle accidents are very common in Florida. In fact, in 2020, Florida ranked as the #4 most dangerous state for motorcycle riders. And in 2022, there were 9,145 motorcycle accidents and 588 motorcycle fatalities across the state.
Some theorize that motorcycle accidents are more common in warm, sunny southern states. That’s because there are more opportunities for motorcyclists to go for a ride. Regardless of the reason, Floridians need to be extra cautious when riding a motorcycle.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Town ‘N’ Country?
Like car accidents, there are many different causes of motorcycle accidents in Town ‘N’ Country. Some of the most common causes include:
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Failing to yield
- Improper or unsafe lane change
- Speeding
- Lane splitting
- Unsafe left turns
- Hazardous road conditions
Rarely does the cause of a motorcycle accident surprise our lawyers. We’ve seen every type of crash and know that motorcycle accidents can be unexpected and surprising. Our team can help you determine the cause of the crash and find out exactly how it happened.
Common Injuries After Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are very dangerous for the rider. Motorcycle riders don’t have the protection of the cabin of a car, or airbags, in the event of an accident. Plus, because motorcycles only have two wheels, they are less stable and more susceptible to crashing.
This means that injuries are more likely to be catastrophic and life-altering. Many motorcyclists experience:
- Brain injuries
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken and fractured bones
- Back and neck injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
Unfortunately, a high percentage of motorcycle accidents end up being fatal.
When Should I Hire a Town ‘N’ Country Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash, you should hire a Town ‘N’ Country motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. After receiving medical treatment, you’ll need to start filing insurance claims and calculating your damages.
An attorney can help you file claims and negotiate on your behalf. This is helpful because they can protect you from saying the wrong thing or taking a lowball settlement.
Many people aren’t aware that they can ask for damages for certain costs and suffering resulting from an accident. An attorney can also ensure that you receive maximum compensation for all of your damages.
What Is the Value of My Motorcycle Accident Case in Town ‘N’ Country?
The value of your motorcycle accident case will depend on the types of injuries that you experienced. Generally, the more serious your injury, the more money you can recover. That’s because you will spend more money going to doctors, getting surgeries, and adjusting to a new lifestyle.
However, you should also consider the pain and suffering, and emotional impact of the accident. If you can no longer work or enjoy your life because of your injuries, you can recover money for that impact. This “invisible” injury can also increase the value of your case
Ultimately, a lawyer can help you determine the value based on a conversation about your damages and their experience. You’ll want to get a good idea of the value before negotiating so that you know what you deserve and don’t get stuck with less.
What Types Of Damages Can I Ask for in a Town ‘N’ Country Motorcycle Accident Case?
Damages are a legal remedy in civil cases. It is usually money that the defendant pays the plaintiff.
In a personal injury lawsuit, you cannot ask for an arbitrary amount of money. Your request must fall into different categories of damages that are allowed under Florida law. You must also prove that you are entitled to the damages that you ask for.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the expenses that most people think about first after a motorcycle accident. These are monetary costs that result after the crash, usually because of the injury. Examples of economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Cost of medicine
- Transportation to and from doctor’s appointments
- Domestic help (if your injuries prevent you from performing these tasks)
- Damage to the motorcycle
Some people may have other types of economic damages not included on this list. You should keep all bills and invoices that are related to the accident. Your lawyer can help you determine if they are eligible for reimbursement.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are emotional and intangible losses that happen because of an accident. When you get into a motorcycle crash, you are affected by more than just a physical injury. Your whole life may change.
You are entitled to compensation for this trauma, including:
- Emotional anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disfigurement or scarring
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental health disorders (like PTSD, anxiety, and depression)
By keeping a journal after a crash, you can reflect on how the accident and injury have affected your overall quality of life. This is useful for calculating the full impact of the crash. If you seek mental health treatment, you can claim that as economic damage, as well.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are far less common than the other types of damages. You are only entitled to punitive damages if you prove that the defendant acted with intentional misconduct or gross negligence. That means that they acted so recklessly that they consciously disregarded the danger of their behavior.
In motorcycle accident cases, for example, this may be someone who was drunk driving or had road rage and ran a biker off of the road. In those cases, the driver makes an intentional decision that they know is likely to result in harm to another person.
This is different from a driver who is merely negligent and made a terrible mistake, like failing to check their blind spot before merging. In those cases, you can only recover economic or non-economic damages.
Who Is Responsible for My Town ‘N’ Country Motorcycle Accident?
The negligent person who caused the accident is responsible for your damages. This may be:
- A driver or multiple drivers
- A pedestrian
- Another motorcyclist
- The government (in the event of improper signage or poorly maintained roads)
- The motorcycle manufacturer (if there is a defect)
You might even have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit against multiple different parties if they all contributed to the crash.
Proving Negligence After a Motorcycle Accident in Town ‘N’ Country, Florida
To win your motorcycle accident case, you must prove that the defendant was negligent. Negligence is the basis of motorcycle crash claims. Negligence is when someone fails to use reasonable care. As a result, they cause an accident that hurts someone else or their property.
To prove your negligence claim, you must provide evidence of four different elements:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- The defendant breached that duty
- The breach caused the crash and injuries
- As a result, you experienced damages
Every driver and motorcyclist owes a duty of care to others on the road. They breach that duty when they act unreasonably and don’t use proper care while driving. This might be by speeding, being distracted, or failing to follow traffic laws.
Even though it may be an honest mistake, a negligent driver is still responsible for making you whole and paying for your damages.
What Happens If I Am Blamed for Causing My Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcyclists are usually blamed for crashes. There is a common misconception that motorcyclists drive recklessly, lane split, or speed through traffic. While some do, most motorcyclists are aware that they are in danger of getting seriously hurt if they get into a crash.
If you are blamed for causing the accident, you can still recover money as long as you are no more than 50% responsible for causing the crash. This is called modified comparative fault. However, if you are held partially responsible, your damages are reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
How Long Do I Have To File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
If your accident happened on or after March 24, 2023, you have 2 years to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit. If it happened before, you have 4 years. If you miss this deadline, then you will lose your chance to recover money. A lawyer can help you keep track of important dates and deadlines, like the statute of limitations.
Contact Our Town ‘N’ Country Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers is ready to help you get the compensation you deserve after suffering in a motorcycle crash. We know that your case is about more than just money, it’s about your livelihood and quality of life. You can trust our experienced Town ‘N’ Country motorcycle accident lawyers to treat your case with the dedication and effort it deserves.
