Lake Worth Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
The lure of the open road is a strong one for Florida motorcycle riders, where the weather makes for ideal conditions throughout the year. However, enjoying the outdoors on a motorcycle is not without its risks. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there are more than 9,000 motorcycle accidents every year, 430 of which occur in Palm Beach County. These numbers may not seem significant compared to other motor vehicle collisions until you dig deeper into the data. Statistics reveal that 92 percent of all motorcycle crashes lead to fatalities or injuries for the operator.
If you were involved in a motorcycle crash because of another drivers negligence, you do have legal options under Florida law. It is possible to recover compensation for your losses, and our team at Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather will be at your side throughout the process.
Please contact our office to schedule a no-cost consultation with a Lake Worth motorcycle accident lawyer today. Some general information may also be helpful.
How Florida Motorcycle Accidents Can Happen
In short, motorcycle crashes are the result of carelessness and driving errors by motorists. Legally, the concept of negligence applies, so you must prove that the at-fault driver breached the duty to exercise reasonable care behind the wheel. You also need evidence showing a link between the breach of duty and the collision.
Examples of negligence in motorcycle accidents include:
- Speeding in excess of the posted limit;
- Drunk or drugged driving;
- Failure to yield right of way;
- Erratic lane changes;
- Texting, talking on the phone, surfing the internet, and capturing video; and,
- Other forms of distracted driving, such as eating, grooming, using a GPS, and adjusting the radio.
Note that your own negligence while riding could affect your rights in a motorcycle collision case. If you are partly responsible, such as through the same forms of conduct above, your compensation could be reduced by the amount of fault attributable to you.
Your Legal Remedies After a Motorcycle Crash
These incidents are similar to other motor vehicle accidents in the sense that you file an insurance claim to recover compensation. If the responsible drivers insurer refuses to pay a fair amount to resolve your claim, the next step is initiating a lawsuit in civil court.
Our lawyers at Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather will provide skilled legal services at all stages of the process, including:
- Investigating and collecting evidence regarding fault;
- Working with your health care providers to obtain necessary medical proof of your injuries;
- Completing all insurance forms, along with support documentation;
- Engaging in discussions to negotiate a settlement;
- Representing you in litigation, from filing the complaint to arguing your case at trial.
Trust a Lake Worth Motorcycle Accident Lawyer to Protect Your Interests
While this summary may be useful, the legal process for recovering compensation after a motorcycle crash is much more complicated in a real-life scenario.
You can count on our attorneys at Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather to pursue your remedies, so please contact us by calling 561-500-HELP to set up your free case evaluation.
