Did you suffer injuries in a motorcycle accident? If so, you shouldn’t go through this challenging time alone. Through a motorcycle accident claim, you might recover compensation to combat financial difficulties resulting from the accident. Motorcycle accidents are often life-changing, resulting in serious injuries and thousands of dollars in vehicle repairs and medical bills.
Our St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyers understand how to navigate motorcycle accident claims and are prepared to help you seek full compensation from the at-fault party.
How Can Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Help You?
At Nicoletti Accident Injury Lawyers, we represent injured motorcyclists, and we can fight for the full amount of compensation you deserve.
Our results in motorcycle accident claims include:
- $1,350,000 for a client who needed multiple surgeries
- $425,000 for a client with a traumatic brain injury
Insurance companies are in the business of pressuring clients into accepting low-ball settlement offers. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney knows how to handle an insurance adjuster and can give you a proper evaluation of your case’s value.
You can ensure that the insurance company won’t escape liability by hiring an attorney. Our lawyers will negotiate on your behalf and take your claim to court if necessary. Don’t let the insurance company pressure you into agreeing to less than what you deserve. Schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers and get an accurate estimate of the value of your case.
What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
The first step toward obtaining financial compensation in your case is identifying the cause of the motorcycle accident. One or more parties may share fault for your injuries in a motorcycle collision. Once your lawyer determines who the at-fault party is, they will be responsible for paying your medical bills, non-economic damages, motorcycle repair, or replacement costs.
Here are some examples of the parties that can share fault for your injuries:
- A negligent or distracted driver
- The motorcycle manufacturer if your motorcycle experiences an auto defect
- The city for roadway defects
Motorcycle accident cases are complicated at times, and several factors can significantly affect the compensation you may receive from your claim. Some of these factors include driving with an invalid license, driving while under the influence, driving without your helmet, and having a track record of violating traffic or driving laws. Reaching out to a motorcycle accident lawyer is the best way to understand your rights and how to move forward with your claim.
Injuries That Can Result from a Motorcycle Crash
Injuries that result from a motorcycle crash are often serious. Motorcycles hardly offer any protection and are much smaller than passenger vehicles, trucks, or buses. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a motorcyclist is about 28 times more likely to die in an accident than a passenger vehicle occupant.
Common injuries that result from motorcycle crashes include:
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Skull fractures
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Brain damage
- Paralysis
Survivors of a motorcycle crash typically live with the physical and psychological repercussions of their accidents for life. Don’t face the insurance company on your own; when you file a personal injury claim, you want to compensate you for all your injuries and damages. A motorcycle accident lawyer with the right experience can help you fight for the maximum amount of compensation for your claim.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Collision
After a motorcycle accident, collect the contact information of anyone who witnessed the crash. When it comes to proving liability, it will be your word against the other party’s. If there was someone present who can confirm that the other party was the cause of the accident, retrieve their contact information, their statement could prove to be helpful if your claim goes to court. Taking pictures of the accident scene is another great way to gather evidence to support your claims. Once you’ve moved your disabled motorcycle off to the road and reported the accident to the police, you should go directly to the hospital.
Prompt treatment of your injuries is essential in helping you heal. Seeking treatment from a doctor right away looks good to insurance companies and will protect your right to recover compensation. Report the crash to the insurance company of the party you believe was responsible for the accident. It is ideal to file a motorcycle crash accident report within 24 hours of the collision. Before speaking with an attorney, gather as much information about your accident as possible; this may include copies of your medical records and police reports. For the best odds of recovering fair compensation, it is wise to partner with a lawyer from the beginning of the claims process.
What Damages Can You Collect from a Motorcycle Accident?
Compensatory damages are classified into two categories: economic and non-economic. While economic damages are easy to calculate, non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify. The extent of your injuries and property damage are used to determine what damages are available in your case. When the victim of a motorcycle accident has severe injuries and their losses exhaust their coverage award, they may need to file suit against the negligent party.
Victims of motorcycle accidents may recover the following losses when pursuing compensation:
- Medical costs, including hospital bills, medication, surgeries, and treatment
- Wages lost from missed time at work
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Damage to property
- Reduced earning capacity because of disability
Calculating the exact amount of compensation you will receive from a motorcycle accident is impossible because every case is unique. Different injuries will qualify you for various forms of compensation.
Let our team at Nicoletti Accident Injury Lawyers aggressively pursue your claim and address your needs. Don't suffer financially because of someone else’s negligence; help is only a phone call away. Learn about your rights as a motorcycle accident victim and the next steps you should take to move forward with your claim.
Motorcycle Accident FAQs
How much compensation will I receive for my claim?
Every case is unique, which is why speaking with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney is the best way to determine how much your case may be worth. Serious to catastrophic injuries are often worth more than minor injury cases, and wrongful death claims tend to be worth even more.
The severity of your injuries is one factor a jury will consider when determining the value of your cases.
The insurance company negotiates the award amount when cases settle out of court. An insurance company will assess your medical bills and other tangible damages to assess how much compensation you should receive for your damages.
Should I call the police if I was in a motorcycle accident?
Contacting the police after a motorcycle accident is essential, and an officer will create an official accident report which serves as a critical piece of evidence for your claim. Some insurance companies may deny your accident claim or reduce your compensation award due to a lack of evidence. To protect your legal rights, contacting the police will ensure that you receive the help you need and that the negligent party is held responsible. In some cases, the police driver may issue a citation to the other driver, which can become an invaluable piece of evidence in your claim. You should refrain from speaking with the other driver, apologizing, or admitting fault. Remember everything you say can still be used against you even if another party caused the accident.
How long does it take to resolve a motorcycle accident case?
Because there are many factors involved in each person’s case, it isn’t easy to give a definitive answer to this question. If there is a lot of evidence and documentation to support your case, the insurance company is more likely to cooperate and pay you what you deserve. In cases where the insurance company decides to deny or fight against the claim, the process can take longer. Working with a motorcycle accident lawyer is the best way to make sure your case stays on track at every stage so you can recover compensation sooner.
Will my paid sick leave from work or health insurance coverage limit the amount of compensation I receive from my motorcycle accident?
Your health insurance coverage or paid sick leave from work are not relevant if you were injured due to another party’s negligence in a motorcycle accident. If your health insurance covers the cost of some or all treatments, you will be required to reimburse them out of your settlement award.
Can I still recover damages if I was injured in a motorcycle accident but wasn’t wearing my helmet?
While some states have mandatory helmet laws, failure to comply with that law will not prevent you from recovering compensation for your injuries if another party is found liable for the accident. Suppose it is shown that your failure to wear a helmet contributed to your injuries. In that case, this issue may become relevant in determining the amount and type of damages you will recover.
Before accepting a settlement offer, why should I talk to a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer?
The law is often complex and tricky to navigate in motor vehicle accident cases. Getting advice from a qualified attorney is essential in securing a fair settlement. Insurance companies understand that most accident victims don’t have the legal knowledge to safeguard their best interests. Because of this, these companies are in the business of exploiting accident victims and talking them into accepting lower settlement offers. Some insurance adjusters may go as far as to discourage you from seeking outside advice. Our lawyers know the insurance company’s tactics and are prepared to fight against them so you can recover full compensation.
What if I was in a motorcycle accident with a hit-and-run driver?
Hit-and-run accidents are difficult to prove, and there is often no way to identify the driver, obtain their insurance information, and determine whether they were at fault. If a driver flees the scene of an accident before the police arrive, our lawyers can help you file a claim through your uninsured motorist policy, assuming you carry this type of coverage. Put your trust in our attorneys, who will guide you through the process of filing a hit-and-run claim; we’re prepared to help you obtain the maximum compensation possible.
If my insurance company offered me a settlement, do I still need a lawyer?
Accepting an insurance company’s initial settlement offer is seldom a good decision. Consulting an attorney is the best way to ensure that the insurance company isn’t simply trying to resolve your case quickly. Insurance companies care about profits and will attempt to weaken your claim meaning you’ll likely end up with insufficient compensation for your injuries and damages. A qualified motorcycle accident lawyer will counter low-ball settlement offers from the insurance company and make sure you get what you need to move forward with your life.
A car turned in front of me and hit me - who was at fault?
The driver turning left will be responsible, in most cases, for crashes that occur at an intersection. If you were speeding or found running a red light at the time of the accident, you may be held liable for the crash. Our attorneys can collect evidence on your behalf and help you build a strong case if the other attempts to present a different version of the event.
I was in a motorcycle accident, and the at-fault party doesn’t have insurance. What options do I have?
When an at-fault party fails to have adequate insurance coverage or significant personal assets, you may not recover compensation for your damages from that individual. Having uninsured motorist coverage for your motorcycle can protect you if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver.
When choosing this insurance, make sure it applies to your use of a motorcycle. If you are carrying uninsured motorcycle coverage at the time of the crash, you may recover compensation for your accident.
Call Our St. Petersburg Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today
Did a Port Richey driver crash into your motorcycle, leaving you with bills nobody should have to pay?
You can call Nicoletti Accident Injury Lawyers for help. Call us at our Port Richey office at (727) 845-5972 or reach out to us using our contact page at any time. We can evaluate your case for free, and if we agree to work together, we can investigate your claim, negotiate a settlement, and if necessary, fight in court to get the compensation you deserve.