Law enforcement officers crack down on traffic safety over Memorial Day Weekend. They tend to do this with the expected increase in traffic, and…
With scenic roads and idyllic year-round weather in Florida, it is no surprise that riding a motorcycle is a popular leisure activity and transportation option for commuters. However, other motorists don’t always pay attention to motorcycle riders, and this leads to accidents. Collisions involving a vehicle and motorcycle can cause severe injuries or even death. If you sustained serious injuries due to another motorist’s negligence, it’s time to contact Wendy Doyle-Palumbo, Esq.
You are not under any legal obligation to hire a lawyer to represent you. However, having a legal advocate can help your claim in many ways. Your attorney will gather all evidence and handle communication with the defendant’s insurance company. That communication includes negotiating a potential settlement.
Your attorney will also ensure a lawsuit is filed before the Florida statute of limitations expires. If the defendant’s insurance company denies liability, we can file a lawsuit right away.
Wesley Chapel motorcycle accident lawyer Wendy Doyle-Palumbo, Esq., has the necessary courtroom experience to take your case to trial. While many cases do not get that far, you have peace of mind knowing your attorney has the expertise and resources to fight for you.
The circumstances of every motorcycle collision differ. A wreck can occur for any number of reasons. However, we see some causes more often than others. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Wesley Chapel include:
Other factors can also contribute to motorcycle accidents, including adverse weather and hazards on the road. It’s not uncommon for accidents to include multiple causes.
Before collecting any compensation, you need to prove liability against the responsible party. Your Wesley Chapel motorcycle accident lawyer will explain who could be held liable for your damages.
Florida is a comparative negligence state. If you are partially at fault for the accident, you can still collect money for your injuries. However, any compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 25% at fault, the maximum compensation is 75% of your overall damages.
Because Florida follows the legal theory of comparative negligence, you need an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Wesley Chapel on your side.
Insurance companies will do their best to place the most liability on you as possible. By doing so, they can reduce or eliminate their exposure. Without legal representation, the adjuster will try to make you believe you are the primary cause of the collision.
Motorcyclists have little protection when compared to occupants in a motor vehicle. Steel framing, airbags, and seatbelts are just three safety protections drivers have over a motorcyclist. That is part of why injuries are often so severe in motorcycle accidents.
Some of the most common injuries our Wesley Chapel motorcycle injury lawyers represent victims for include:
Traumatic brain injuries are among the most serious consequences of motorcycle accidents. Even with a helmet, the impact of a crash can cause significant brain damage. Symptoms of TBI can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, leading to long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments. Victims may require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
Injuries to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, significantly impacting the victim’s quality of life. These injuries often require immediate medical attention, surgical intervention, and ongoing rehabilitation. Spinal cord injuries can lead to permanent disabilities, necessitating lifestyle adjustments and continuous medical support.
Motorcycle accidents frequently result in fractures and broken bones due to the high-impact nature of collisions. Common fractures include those of the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis. These injuries may require surgical repair, immobilization, and physical therapy. In severe cases, multiple fractures can lead to long-term complications and chronic pain.
Road rash occurs when a motorcyclist’s skin makes contact with the pavement, causing painful abrasions. These injuries can vary in severity from minor scrapes to deep wounds that require surgical intervention and skin grafts. Lacerations, or deep cuts, can also occur, potentially leading to significant blood loss and infection if not properly treated.
Internal injuries are often less apparent immediately after an accident but can be life-threatening. These injuries can include damage to internal organs, internal bleeding, and punctured lungs. Prompt medical evaluation is crucial to diagnose and treat internal injuries, which may require surgery and intensive care.
The psychological impact of a motorcycle accident can be profound. Victims may experience emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Psychological injuries can affect a person’s ability to function daily and may require therapy and counseling for recovery.
The more severe your injuries are, the more your case might be worth. You need a skilled lawyer who can build the strongest case possible. Wendy Doyle-Palumbo, Esq. has years of experience assisting injured victims like you.
A standard motorcycle accident usually involves two types of damages. These are known as economic and non-economic damages, and they both play a significant role in determining the value of a claim. Here’s an overview of each damage type and how they might apply to a motorcycle accident.
When it comes to motorcycle accidents, the financial losses related to your injury are probably the most noticeable. That’s where economic damages come in.
Essentially, this damage type includes any direct financial loss associated with your accident, such as:
While this may seem relatively straightforward to calculate, keep in mind that some injuries require years of care. In this case, a Wesley Chapel motorcycle accident attorney can help figure out the future costs you may incur due to your injury. This is especially important in cases involving severe disability since these conditions often come with lifelong complications.
Although it’s easy to focus on the financial aspect of a claim, injuries also have a physical and emotional cost. The value of these hardships depends on how the challenges affect the victim’s daily life. Maybe their injury prevents them from having a normal routine or lowers their quality of life in some way.
These intangible losses are known as non-economic damages, and they include things like:
Since the scope of these losses is so personal, there is no standard way to calculate them. Instead, a motorcycle accident attorney in Wesley Chapel may come up with a custom formula for the client. Generally, the more severe the injury is, the more non-economic damages the victim has.
While most claims never end up going to trial, there are times when it’s impossible to reach a settlement. In this case, your Wesley Chapel motorcycle accident attorney might recommend filing a lawsuit.
Typically, the first step in filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit is making a legal complaint against the other party’s insurance company. This document serves as a notice to them and includes a general description of the negligent action itself.
Next, once the insurance company receives the complaint, they may attempt to negotiate a resolution. During this discovery phase, both you and the insurance company exchange evidence regarding the claim.
Finally, if the defendant refuses to settle for a fair amount of money, the case goes to trial. This is the stage of the lawsuit where your Wesley Chapel motorcycle accident lawyer presents your argument to the judge or jury. After both sides present their arguments, the judge or jury then hands down a verdict. For many, this is the most intimidating part of the lawsuit process. In any case, it’s usually best to hire a lawyer long before you reach this stage in your claim.
If a negligent driver injured you in a motorcycle accident, you have legal rights. You don’t need to go through the claims process alone. Hiring a Wesley Chapel motorcycle accident lawyer can improve your chances of receiving the money you deserve. Wendy Doyle-Palumbo, Esq. understands how challenging motorcycle injury claims can be. You should be concentrating on your healing, not fighting with the insurance company to get compensation. Contact us today.
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