What Are My Legal Options After a Motorcycle Accident in Florida?
Getting into an accident while riding on a motorcycle can be traumatizing, especially if you sustain injuries that require ongoing medical care or limit your ability to lead your everyday life. You may not know what to do to get through the situation, but skilled personal injury lawyers in West Palm Beach can help you.
They say that within the legal framework, you can collect compensation for the damages arising from the accident from the party responsible. However, the process can be daunting, so you should have as much legal support and representation as possible to protect your rights and enhance the chances of a favorable outcome.
Here are some crucial factors to remember:
Collect Enough Evidence to Support Your Claim
One of the factors that can make or break your case is the type of evidence you attach to your claim. West Palm Beach motorcycle accident attorneys can help you gather evidence as soon as possible while still fresh. Evidence that can help your case includes the following:
- Police report: An official police report documents vital information about the crash, such as the date, time, location, a pictorial representation of the accident scene, road and weather conditions, and any citations or violations issued to the parties involved. If possible, obtain a copy immediately after the accident.
- Witness statements and contact information: Witnesses can be the source of invaluable details into the events leading to the crash and during the accident, which can help determine the cause and the liable party. Your lawyers can follow up with them later to obtain their statements to corroborate your claims.
- Photos and videos: Clear pictures and recordings of the accident scene can help demonstrate the accident’s severity and extent of your injuries. Take photos of the other cars involved in the accident, your visible injuries, traffic signals, skid marks, road conditions, and surrounding areas.
- Medical bills and records: Detailed medical documentation is necessary to prove your injuries and treatment received or which you may require in the future. Preserve all records, prescriptions, bills, and notes from your healthcare providers to enable your motorcycle accident attorneys in West Palm Beach to create a strong claim.
- Loss of income: Pay stubs and records of days you missed work due to the injuries can also strengthen your claim. Part of the compensation package includes lost wages and loss of earning capacity after an accident.
- Repairs and other expenses: Gather all invoices, receipts, and documentation related to your motorcycle repairs and other accident-related costs. You must prove you incurred them due to the accident; otherwise, you risk not obtaining compensation.
Your injuries may be so severe that you’re unable to gather all the necessary evidence. West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers are skilled and well-versed in collecting evidence for accident claims. They can handle this aspect as you focus on healing and recovery.
Be Prepared to Deal with Insurance Companies
Pursuing compensation from the at-fault party is often complex, mainly because it entails dealing with their insurance company. Motorcycle accident lawyers in West Palm Beach highlight that insurance companies usually work in their own interests to protect their profits. They often try to shortchange accident victims to avoid paying what their cases are worth.
With this knowledge, deal with insurance adjusters carefully. Do not accept the first settlement offer, as it is often less than what you may obtain if you’re relentless. Additionally, avoid giving many details about the accident, as the adjusters could fault you for the accident and hence deny or reduce your claim.
Instead, let your lawyers deal with the insurance company to negotiate a fair settlement. If the approach fails, they can help you pursue further legal action to fight for what you rightfully deserve.
Calculating Damages
Part of the claim entails showing the amount you demand as compensation for the damages. Arriving at a figure can be complex as it goes beyond the medical expenses and property damages. Nonetheless, your motorcycle accident lawyers in West Palm Beach will account for the following when calculating damages:
- Emergency treatment expenses
- Medical and hospital visit bills
- Cost of assistive medical devices
- Prescription costs
- Surgery costs
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Expected future medical expenses
- Cost of nursing care provided during recovery
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
Arriving at a figure accounts for many legal factors, so working with legal experts knowledgeable in personal injury laws is best to maximize your claim.
Statute of Limitations
The law stipulates that you must present your compensation claim within a specific timeframe or risk denying your claim. The deadline for most personal injury claims in Florida is twenty-four months from the date of the injury or when you should have discovered the injury. Experienced lawyers can help you file within the deadline to protect your rights.
A Skilled Personal Injury Lawyer Helping You Navigate Motorcycle Accident Claims
Motorcycle accidents can have stressful consequences that can leave you grappling with expensive bills and reduced quality of life. West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyers can help you pursue compensation for the damages to enable you to rebuild your life. The process can be complex, but knowledgeable legal experts can help you beat the system.
Gonz. Law Group is a reputable law firm with dedicated personal injury lawyers who can investigate your case. You don’t have to suffer for injuries caused by a negligent party. Our team can help you fight to obtain maximum compensation while you recover and rebuild your life. Call us at 561-639-7858 to schedule a FREE consultation.