Palm Harbor Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Experiencing a motorcycle accident can leave you battling with physical and psychological injuries that impact your entire life. In a city that gets its fair share of tourism, like Palm Harbor, FL, collisions may be likely to occur more often than in other locations.
If you have been in a crash and suffered serious losses, help is available. With experienced Palm Harbor motorcycle accident lawyers, you can file a claim against the parties that caused the accident. At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, we have some of the best motorcycle accident lawyers in the state. Learn how we can help you in the aftermath of a motorcycle collision.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Palm Harbor, Florida
Fatal motorcycle accident rates in Florida are higher than in other states. In 2022, 668 people lost their lives in bike crashes throughout the Sunshine State. In that same year, there were 9,270 total motorcycle crashes in Florida, leading to 1,999 incapacitating injuries. In Pinellas County in 2022, there were 437 motorcycle accidents resulting in 376 injuries.
There are some specific areas in Palm Harbor that are dangerous because of the heavy traffic, especially in the downtown area. Downtown Palm Harbor is pedestrian-friendly, which means there are many intersections, stop lights, and crossings, all of which could increase traffic accidents.
What Are the Most Dangerous Roads in and Around Palm Harbor?
When traveling through Palm Harbor on your motorcycle, being aware of the areas where bike accidents have occurred is important. One area to watch for is U.S. Highway 19. The constant traffic on this highway, and the high speeds involved, have led to significant accidents throughout the years.
Another road to watch for is Palm Harbor Boulevard (Alt 19). It’s a scenic route, and therefore, it’s very popular among motorcycle riders as well as passenger vehicles. The narrow lanes and the high traffic make accidents much more likely, especially if drivers are distracted by the picturesque sights.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can occur for a number of reasons in Palm Harbor, though they’re often a result of driver error. Distracted driving is one serious and all-too-common issue in Florida. A driver who is looking down at their phone, speaking with passengers, or eating might not notice a hazard until it’s too late. In 2023, almost 300 people died because of distracted driving in the state.
Speeding is another issue, which not only makes it more difficult for drivers to react in time to prevent a collision, but could also mean facing much more serious motorcycle accident injuries because of the force of the impact. These crashes often result in catastrophic injuries and even fatalities.
Intoxicated driving is a problem in a city where people visit on vacation. A driver who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol will have impaired reflexes and might not have appropriate depth perception, making them very dangerous to everyone else on the road. They may even fall asleep at the wheel.
Tourism is another issue. People visiting from other states and countries won’t know the area well and could make errors while driving, like entering incorrectly on one-way streets.
Many of Palm Harbor’s roads are narrow, as well. Their conditions are not always optimal, either, so there could be potholes and other pavement problems that could result in a driver losing control of their vehicle.
Laws and Regulations Governing Motorcycle Accidents in Palm Harbor, Florida
Statute of Limitations
When filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit or claim, remember that you have time limits. These are called the statutes of limitations. In Florida, you have two years in which to file a claim after an accident.
There could be many factors that affect this timeline. If you suffer an injury but don’t realize it until later, the statute of limitations would begin running when you discover the harm.
If the other party leaves the state, that, too, would stop the clock until they return. If the liable party is a government employee, however, you have a much shorter time frame.
Fault and Comparative Negligence
If you were partly responsible for the crash, you can still recover losses in Florida because of the state’s modified comparative negligence laws. As long as your fault doesn’t go above 50%, you can recover from the other party after suffering injuries.
Determining fault in bike accidents (which are not part of Florida’s no-fault laws) means gathering as much evidence as possible, and speaking with accident reconstructionists. Eyewitness statements and the police report are also vital.
To determine fault, it’s necessary to see which parties put the safety of others at risk. A lawyer for motorcycle accidents can help you establish this.
Insurance Requirements
To operate a motorcycle in Florida, you only need to have a minimum amount of coverage to pay for injuries that you sustain in a collision. You must have at least $10,000 in medical benefits, which you can get from a dedicated policy, or from your health insurance. However, that’s often not enough to cover medical expenses.
Without more significant motorcycle insurance, you could be left with serious expenses if, for example, you’re hurt in a hit-and-run or if you’re hit by an uninsured driver. Many insurers will offer bundled rates for those who have cars and motorcycles, which keeps prices affordable.
Can Multiple Parties Be Held Accountable for Your Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
In a motorcycle accident in Palm Harbor, FL, there could be more than one party to blame for the accident. Establishing liability is an essential step to pursue a claim. If there are many people involved, a thorough investigation can help pinpoint who might be responsible for your losses.
Learn more about liability by contacting our team of motorcycle lawyers.
Why Choose Our Palm Harbor Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Expertise in Florida Motorcycle Accident Law
When searching for an attorney for motorcycle accidents, you need to focus on experience. At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, we have been helping clients in Florida for decades. We have handled cases that involve multiple parties, as well as motorcycle accident claims that require a thorough investigation.
Because we have experience with motorcycle crashes, we know how much is at stake. We understand the serious injuries you can sustain, and how important it is to get fair compensation to cover your losses. We know what evidence can make a difference to insurance companies, and how to aggressively negotiate for compensation.
Proven Track Record of Securing Fair Compensation
Our motorcycle accident law firm has been able to help clients recover significant settlements and verdicts. Recently, we helped a family recover $3 million in a wrongful death claim that occurred because of a motor vehicle accident, ensuring that they could receive the assistance they needed and deserved.
We know how to negotiate with insurance companies and the types of tactics these companies use to minimize claims. Our team never backs down from a fight.
Personalized Legal Support for Palm Harbor Residents
When choosing a motorcycle accident lawyer in Palm Harbor, you need someone who understands the area and can tackle the unique challenges of a place where there’s so much traffic. As a local motorcycle accident firm, we are ready to get to the site of an accident to start working.
That’s just one way we demonstrate we’re a client-centered firm. With us, you can expect to receive the level of support you need at all times. We communicate clearly and regularly with our clients and encourage questions.
No Fees Unless You Win
One of the reasons why you may hesitate to contact a lawyer for motorcycle accidents is fear of how much the fees will be. When you choose us, you don’t have to worry about this. When you hire an attorney for motorcycle accidents from our firm, you don’t pay anything up front. We only get paid if we win you a settlement or verdict.
When searching for what the best motorcycle accident lawyer Palm Harbor, Florida, has to offer, upfront fees should not be a concern.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries for the biker because of the lack of protection that a motorcycle offers. Road rash is one common issue. Although it can seem like a minor injury, you can suffer serious wounds when the pavement scrapes your skin, putting you at risk of developing infections and scarring.
Fractures are another problem that bikers face, especially involving their wrists, legs, and feet. If you’re thrown off your bike, you might try to brace yourself, and the force of the impact can mean broken bones. Even relatively minor fractures can require extensive medical care and a long recovery process.
Hitting your back or twisting your spine as you land can result in spinal cord injuries. These can range in severity, with the worst ones leaving you with complete or partial paralysis. Spinal cord injuries often mean not being able to work or enjoy your life as you used to.
Even if you’re wearing a helmet, you can hit your head hard enough for your brain to shift in your skull. This causes a traumatic brain injury that could impact your cognitive function and even your personality. Brain injuries can be catastrophic, leaving you with permanent damage that lowers your quality of life and results in serious long-term expenses.
What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Palm Harbor, FL?
After a motorcycle accident, you need to get immediate medical attention. Even if you’re not sure whether you’re injured or not, getting paramedics to the scene is vital. The next thing to do after a motorcycle accident is to make sure the police get to the scene and file a report. As soon as possible, speak with an attorney to help you file a claim.
Types of Compensation Available for Motorcycle Accident Victims in Palm Harbor, FL
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover financial losses, including past and future medical expenses. Everything from hospital bills to medication costs are included. These damages will also cover the rehabilitation you may need after suffering serious injuries like fractures.
You’ve likely missed work because of the injuries you sustained, so you should also claim lost wages, which cover lost salaries, commissions, bonuses, and even vacation days. If you can’t return to work at all, or in the same capacity, you can receive damages for loss of earning potential, too.
Bikes are usually damaged and often totaled after a collision. Economic damages can cover property losses you suffered as well.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages help you receive compensation for the pain and suffering you’ve experienced. If you have emotional distress, physical pain, and difficulty living your life as you did before the accident because of the injuries you suffered, you may have a right to this type of compensation.
If you can’t participate in activities you once loved, it’s possible to claim loss of enjoyment of life, too. In instances when a loved one dies in the crash, loss of consortium is available.
Contact Our Palm Harbor Motorcycle Accident Law Firm Today
After being in a motorcycle accident in Palm Harbor, FL, filing a claim can help you recover the losses you sustained. This is not something you should pursue on your own. By contacting experienced motorcycle accident lawyers, you can receive the assistance you deserve.
At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, we offer dependable representation from local lawyers. We know how difficult going through a claim is, and we’ll fight aggressively to help you receive fair compensation. To help you get a sense of how we work and to give us a chance to get to know the details of your case, we offer free initial consultations.
Don’t wait. Contact our experienced Palm Harbor motorcycle accident lawyer for a free consultation.
FAQs
What Are the Four Elements of Negligence?
To prove negligence, you must prove that a duty of care existed and a breach of that duty occurred, which establishes causation (the breach caused your losses), and damages.
Can You Recover Compensation If the Insurance Company Blames You for the Crash?
Florida has modified comparative negligence laws in place, which allow you to recover losses if you were partly responsible for the accident. Vitally, however, you must not bear the majority of the fault.
Can You Recover Compensation if You Weren’t Wearing a Helmet?
If you are over the age of 21 and have appropriate insurance coverage, you are allowed not to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle. Insurance companies will still use that against you, however, when deciding on a settlement. If you weren’t wearing a helmet, speak with an attorney immediately.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From a Serious Motorcycle Accident?
The answer will depend on the exact injuries you suffered. If you experienced whiplash and other soft tissue injuries, you may be able to get back to normal within a couple of weeks. That’s not the case if you suffer a fracture or a spinal cord injury.
Why Does Florida Have the Highest Motorcycle Fatalities?
There are a number of factors that contribute to this problem. One of them is that the climate attracts many tourists who may not be very experienced riding a motorcycle. The helmet laws in Florida are also lenient, so brain injuries are more likely in bike accidents.
How Much Does a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Cost?
Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer doesn’t cost anything up front. The lawyer will receive a percentage of your settlement or verdict.
Citations:
FLA. STAT. § 95.11(5).
Life Takes a Turn Every 44 Seconds on Florida’s Roadways. (2024).
Motorcycles. (2024).
Traffic Crash Facts Annual Report 2022. (2023).
About Jack G. Bernstein Esq.
Personal Injury Lawyer
For more than 40 years, personal injury lawyer Jack G. Bernstein has protected the rights of individuals who have been injured in a variety of circumstances. Throughout his career, Bernstein has been a strategist thoroughly dedicated to the idea of protecting the rights of his clients. Mr. Bernstein is a member of the Florida State Bar Association, the Hillsborough Bar Association and the Clearwater Bar Association.
Mr. Bernstein has the experience and expertise to handle a wide range of injury cases. Among the types of plaintiffs Mr. Bernstein represents are individuals involved in car accidents caused by drunk drivers or other exhibiting negligence, medical complications resulting from carelessness caused by a physician or a medical facility, including brain injury, bicycle, motorcycle, moped and truck accidents, admiralty law and cruise ship accidents, accidental drownings, all types of wrongful death lawsuits, along with most injury, catastrophic occurrences and legal malpractice issues.
Our firm handles every type of personal injury and accident case, using negotiation and litigation tactics effectively. We handle cases throughout Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, FL. With a staff of approximately 40 people, including six lawyers and 34 support personnel, we have the legal resources to get the justice you deserve and the maximum recovery for your losses. Schedule your free consultation today; we are always here to help.
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