Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach

In Palm Beach County, many motorcyclists enjoy the freedom of the open road. But this freedom comes with risks. A motorcycling crash can derail your life in an instant, and when it does, you may face a long and challenging path to recovery. 

In the days after your crash, it pays to have a motorcycle accident lawyer in West Palm Beach at your disposal. Blakeley Law Firm is your trusted West Palm Beach personal injury law firm. 

We have obtained over $250 million in compensation for motorcycle accident victims and others. Following your motorcycling collision, we will guide you through the legal process while you focus on your recovery. Meet with a West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer from our team. 

Why Choose Blakeley Law Firm for Legal Representation After a Motorcycle Accident?

Choosing the right attorney makes a difference in your motorcycling accident case. Blakeley Law Firm is a local personal injury firm that offers compassionate care and a track record of success. Our team understands the challenges that motorcyclists face on the road and in the courtroom. 

We will pursue fair compensation for your accident losses, including:

Medical Expenses

After your accident, your treatment costs can escalate quickly. In the weeks following the crash, you may have to spend a lot on hospital and doctor’s visits, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and ongoing medical care. 

The Blakeley Law Firm team will fight to recover the compensation you need to cover your immediate and long-term medical costs. We document your medical expenses and build a comprehensive claim. This involves gathering your medical records, bills, and other evidence to demonstrate the necessity and extent of your medical treatment.

Lost Income and Earning Capacity

The financial repercussions of your accident are not limited to your medical bills. Many motorcycle crash victims face lost wages due to time taken off work for recovery. Some sustain injuries that affect their ability to earn an income in the future. For these individuals, they might have to take a low-paying job or rely on disability benefits moving forward. 

Blakeley Law Firm works to recover compensation for loss of income and diminished future earning potential. In your case, our West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyers can collect detailed evidence, such as pay stubs and employment records. They will make it clear to a judge or jury why you deserve damages for your loss of income or diminished earning capacity. 

Pain and Suffering

Calculating pain and suffering is a complex part of an accident claim. This is due to the fact that it involves putting a monetary value on non-economic damages like physical pain and emotional distress. 

At Blakeley Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys make use of psychological evaluations and personal journals. These can show a judge or jury how your accident is impacting your life.

Our team has decades of experience. We will teach you about the average payout for a motorcycle accident and position you to recover economic and non-economic damages. To learn more, discuss your case with our motorcycle accident attorneys in West Palm Beach.  

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Motorcycle Accident Claim in West Palm Beach?

Per Florida Statutes § 95.11, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is two years. Consult with a West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer if you are debating whether to file a claim. If you wait too long to do so, you will lose the right to seek compensation from any liable parties. 

There are Florida insurance requirements for drivers. However, most riders are not required to carry insurance coverage. If you are at fault for a motorcycle accident in Palm Beach County, you must be able to demonstrate financial responsibility for the incident. Comparatively, if a motorist is at fault for your collision, the driver’s insurer may cover your losses. 

When in doubt about what to do after a motorcycle accident, err on the side of caution by contacting a personal injury attorney. This gives you access to a lawyer who will advocate for you and protect your legal rights and best interests. Your attorney can negotiate a settlement with an at-fault party’s insurance company on your behalf. 

How to Get a Motorcycle Accident Settlement in West Palm Beach That Meets Your Expectations 

Your West Palm Beach motorcycle accident attorney will keep you updated about insurance settlement negotiations. They understand Florida’s motorcycle laws and how these apply to your case. Your lawyer works hard to get you a settlement that gives you enough money for your quantifiable and subjective losses. 

A liable party’s insurance company will look for any reason to dispute your claim. It may also offer a settlement that does not cover all of your accident losses.

Thankfully, your lawyer knows the tactics that insurers use to avoid paying out claims. They communicate and collaborate with a liable party’s insurance company while preparing your case for trial at the same time. 

Your lawyer helps you establish realistic expectations for settlement negotiations. They can explain why your accident settlement may be taking a long time. If you do not receive a reasonable settlement, your lawyer will advise you to file a personal injury lawsuit. At this point, your attorney can argue your case to a judge or jury. 

How Fault Is Determined in a Motorcycling Crash Case  

A motorist, a government entity, or other parties can be held responsible for your accident. Your motorcycle crash lawyer in West Palm Beach finds out who is liable. As your attorney crafts their argument, they account for the following elements of negligence:

Duty of Care

Ultimately, the dangers of motorcycles on Florida roads are significant. Riders must comply with traffic laws. If they do not, they can cause accidents and be held liable for them. This is similar to the duty of care that motorists and others owe to riders. If any of these parties commits a careless or reckless act, they can put a rider in danger. 

Breach of Duty of Care

Someone violates their duty of care if they act in a way that can harm others. For example, a motorist is driving while distracted. They are breaching their duty of care to other motorists and riders and can be at fault if they cause an accident due to their actions. 

Causation

In their argument, your lawyer will highlight the link between a violation of a duty of care and your accident. They want a judge or jury to understand that the defendant acted carelessly or recklessly and, as a result, caused the incident.

Damages 

Before you can get compensatory damages, you must prove to a judge or jury that the defendant breached their duty of care and caused your collision. Your attorney can use accident scene photos, traffic camera footage, a police report, witness statements, and other evidence to validate your claim. 

Florida maintains a modified comparative negligence system that relates to personal injury cases. If you are 1-50% liable for your motorcycling collision, a judge or jury will reduce your damages by your degree of fault. Or, if you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages. 

How Florida’s Insurance and Legal Frameworks Can Impact Your Case

If you are not careful, you could make mistakes that hurt your chances of getting damages for your motorcycle collision losses. Your motorcycle crash attorney in West Palm Beach will consider Florida’s insurance and legal frameworks as they evaluate your legal options. Below are details about insurance and legal systems that can impact the outcome of your case. 

Insurance Coverage

Generally, it is beneficial to buy motorcycle insurance in Florida. With this coverage, those who ride motorcycles are protected financially if they are at fault for an accident. You can purchase insurance in alignment with the minimum liability coverage required in Florida, which is:

• $10,000 for bodily injury per person;
• $20,000 for total bodily injury per accident; and 
• $10,000 for property damage.

If you choose not to buy motorcycle insurance, you must obtain a surety bond or a certificate of self-insurance. No matter which option you choose, insurance companies of parties liable for your crash may try to blame you for the incident. Regardless, your attorney looks for ways to show that you are in no way at fault.  

Motorcycle Endorsement or License 

Those who want to ride motorcycles in Florida must have a valid endorsement or license. You can have a motorcycle endorsement added to your driver’s license. If you do not have a driver’s license, you can obtain a motorcycle-only one. 

Expect insurance companies to contest your personal injury claim if you did not have a motorcycle endorsement or license at the time of your crash. These businesses will commit substantial time and resources to make it tough to secure compensation for your losses. 

Helmet Laws

Your age and insurance coverage dictate whether you must wear a helmet when you ride a motorcycle in Florida. Riders under 21 must wear a helmet in accordance with Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard 218.

Those 21 and over can ride without a helmet if they have a minimum of $10,000 in medical insurance coverage for motorcycle crash injuries. 

Sometimes, not wearing a helmet can affect a motorcycle accident case. Tell your West Palm Beach motorcycle crash lawyer if you were not wearing a helmet at the time of your crash. From here, your attorney can argue that you were operating your motorcycle in compliance with the law. They can pursue compensation for brain injuries and other harm you have suffered. 

Your lawyer will share FAQs and other resources relating to insurance and legal frameworks for riders. In addition, they will provide insights into the risks and consequences of motorcycle accidents. 

Risks and Consequences of Motorcycle Accidents That You Need to Know About

If you do nothing after your accident, you take accountability for your losses. This means you will have to pay out of pocket to treat your injuries. On top of that, you will have to cover the costs of repairing or replacing your motorcycle, your lost wages, and other losses. 

Of course, if you take responsibility for a collision caused by someone else, the liable party could cause harm down the line. For instance, a driver is speeding and crashes their car into you and your motorcycle. By deciding not to take legal action, this motorist may continue to act the same way and could cause another crash that results in injuries or wrongful death. 

Your West Palm Beach motorcycle crash attorney wants you to treat your injuries before they get any worse. They also encourage you to fix or replace your motorcycle and track all of your accident expenses. That way, you can recover from your injuries. Meanwhile, you and your lawyer can put together a strong body of evidence. 

Get Legal Help from Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in West Palm Beach Who Provide Aggressive Representation

You feel stressed out and exhausted after a motorcycle collision to the point where you do not want to do anything. Talk with motorcycle injury attorneys in West Palm Beach. When you do, you can receive legal guidance in the aftermath of your crash. 

Your lawyers will help you make an informed decision about whether to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. At Blakeley Law Firm, we give your motorcycling crash case our full attention. Our personal injury lawyers are dedicated to achieving your goals. 

We can provide you with information about your legal rights and details about the best course of action in your case within hours or days of your motorcycling accident. Contact us for more information.