Anybody who rides knows—motorcycles are a way of life. Unfortunately, motorcycles are also dangerous, even when the handlebars are held in experienced hands. No one expects to need a motorcycle accident lawyer to help them recover compensation for their injuries, but when you are in that position, you probably want to know that your attorney is going to be able to follow through.
So, can an attorney help pay your medical bills after a motorcycle accident?
Absolutely. But it’s not guaranteed. For that, you need to make sure that the lawyer you hire knows what they are doing. It’s not enough that they handle auto accidents—they should be knowledgeable about motorcycle accidents specifically.
Why? Because they are different.
Why Motorcycle Accidents Are Different
It’s not just the lack of safety features, such as seatbelts and airbags, that make motorcycles so much more dangerous than other vehicles. It’s also difficult to see them on the road because of their speed and their small size. Regardless of visibility, though, other motorists owe a duty of care to those they share the road with, and not seeing a motorcycle is not an excuse.
The injuries that motorcyclists sustain during an accident are also often more severe than those sustained by drivers in cars and trucks. What all of this means for your motorcycle injury case is that it’s going to be much more complicated than the average auto accident case.
Building a Case with a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
When building a case, a lawyer has to consider many different factors. Among those considerations are negligence and fault.
Let’s start with negligence. Motorcycles are difficult to see on the road, but that isn’t the only reason that they get into accidents. Many accidents occur because the driver of the other vehicle was acting negligently—that is, they were not or could not give their full attention to the road. Common causes of negligence include distracted driving (texting, eating, talking on the phone or to someone in the car), drunk driving, driving while drowsy, as well as failing to follow the rules of the road and traffic laws. If you suspect your accident happened because of negligence, let your motorcycle accident lawyer know. They may be able to find evidence.
Next, we have fault. Fault in Florida is a bit complicated. Florida is a no-fault state, meaning each driver’s insurance is supposed to cover the policyholder, not the other driver. In a lawsuit, however, the court may determine that one or both parties are at fault, assigning liability and damages according to a percentage. It’s possible that even if you were at fault, you could still recover damages.
What You Can Recover
Motorcyclists who are injured in an accident can recover economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover a variety of expenses that are related to the accident:
- Hospital bills
- Lost earning capacity
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses, such as rehabilitation
- Long-term care expenses
Of course, not everything you lose in an accident can be measured in dollar increments. Non-economic damages cover things that may be less tangible yet still important to consider in a motorcycle injury case:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If you were injured and need a motorcycle accident lawyer, don’t wait to talk to us. Schedule a free case evaluation today.