Driving a motorcycle in the sunny, warm Florida weather can be a fun and enjoyable way to get around Boca Raton, see the beautiful sights in our state, and get fresh air while traveling. Unfortunately, driving a motorcycle comes with a range of risks, all of which are present in Florida, the most dangerous state in the US when it comes to motorcycle accidents.
There are a variety of reasons for these increased risks of a motorcycle accident in Florida, but regardless of cause, it is important to know that you have rights as the victim in a motorcycle crash if someone else caused the accident. Finding a lawyer in the early days or weeks following a serious motorcycle accident can seem like too much to take on, though, which is something that only works out to the advantage of the insurance company, and not the claimant.
Find a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Boca Raton Today
The sooner you are represented by an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer, the sooner you will be able to focus on your personal needs and recovery without feeling like you need to take on all of the stress of the complicated insurance process. Your attorney will be able to act as your intermediary and use their years of experience to make sure that they take the appropriate steps towards getting you the money you truly deserve, NOT just what the insurance company would prefer to pay.
Read more below for some general information about motorcycle accidents in Boca Raton, and contact CarAccidentAttorney.com as soon as possible to be connected with an attorney who is available to take your case today. CarAccidentAttorney.com is an attorney and medical referral service. Finding a lawyer shouldn’t be a blocker for getting legal representation, which is why we make it easy to connect with a lawyer in your area.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Boca Raton
Like all accidents, the causes of a motorcycle accident are unique to the situation, and will need to be reviewed by an experienced attorney to identify things that will help your lawyer establish who is at fault for the accident. The following are some of the most common causes, but regardless of whether or not your situation is represented below, there will be a lot of work that your lawyer will need to do in order to establish a strong case for your settlement.
Drunk or Drugged Drivers
When a driver is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, their reaction times are significantly reduced, their ability to recognize other drivers is diminished, and they are more distractable, all of which can lead to someone making a dangerous lane change into the path of a motorcycle and cause a serious accident.
Texting and Driving
As with drunk driving, when a driver is looking at their smartphone to read or send a text or use an app, they take their minds and eyes off the road and significantly increase the risk of an accident. By relying on peripheral vision and attention, it can be easy to miss a smaller vehicle like a motorcycle if the driver is specifically trying to pay attention to a larger vehicle like a truck or car.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is dangerous no matter who the reckless driver is sharing the road with, but when someone is operating at dangerous speeds or engaging in reckless maneuvers while there is a motorcycle in the area, the risk is increased. Motorcycles are harder for a driver to notice in their peripheral due to the size difference, and even minor contact between a car and a motorcycle can cause catastrophic damage by throwing the motorcyclist from their vehicle, causing multiple points of impact.
Inexperienced Drivers
Inexperienced drivers are often overwhelmed while driving, and a motorcycle in the area can cause their anxiety to increase and lead to them making dangerous maneuvers out of fear. Additionally, inexperienced drivers may not know to take the extra time necessary to look for motorcycles as they are pulling out of side roads, merging into traffic, turning at an intersection, or changing lanes.
Calculating Damages After a Motorcycle Accident in Boca Raton
The physical injuries that a motorcycle rider may suffer after what would normally be a fender bender can be significant, since there is significantly less protection provided by the vehicle itself, and the additional fact that the rider is nearly always thrown from the motorcycle and hits the ground. Florida does not have mandatory helmet laws for people above the age of 21, meaning that there is an increased number of fatalities in our state relating to traumatic brain injuries and trauma to the skull, as well. All of these severe injuries come with a cost, which must be sought through an insurance claim or a lawsuit.
Economic Damages
Economic damages seek compensation for measurable financial issues relating to the accident, such as medical bills and all other treatment-related costs like physical therapy, medication, copayments, assistive devices, and more. In addition to medical costs, these damages seek compensation for earnings-related impacts such as lost wages due to time off of work to recover, or impacts to the victim’s earning capacity as a result of their injuries.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are more complicated to calculate because of their abstract nature, but they are just as important in a personal injury claim. They seek compensation for things like the emotional and psychological impacts of the accident, like the trauma of the experience, depression, anxiety, or fear that the victim suffers from after, and the pain and suffering they have endured from their injuries.
Since these damages are more complex to quantify, the insurance company will push back more aggressively on these. An experienced attorney will be able to build a comprehensive case for why they must be included in the settlement or may decide that filing a lawsuit with the Florida court system is the most effective way to recover these damages for their client.