West Palm Beach Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Florida has the second highest number of registered motorcycles—over half a million according to the World Atlas—in the country, behind only California, which has a population almost double that of Florida. With great all-year riding weather, it is no wonder why motorcycle riding is so popular in the Sunshine State. Unfortunately, Florida also has some of the most dangerous roads for motorcyclists, as car and truck drivers often speed, cut other road users off, drink and drive, and change lanes erratically and without any warning. These threats pose extreme risks for anyone on two wheels. While traffic fatalities in general have declined since 1994, motorcycle fatalities have actually risen, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Here at Hale Law, our West Palm Beach motorcycle accident attorneys pursue compensation for our injured clients, and will hold the negligent party responsible for your motorcycle crash responsible for their impatient, aggressive, or distracted driving.
COMMON INJURIES AMONG MOTORCYCLE CRASH VICTIMS
The only thing protecting a motorcyclist from the ground, fixed objects, and the impact from the at-fault driver’s vehicle is the bike itself, and potentially a helmet and a leather/nylon riding jacket or pants. Motorcyclist injuries are often extreme, particularly when the crash occurs at high speed, or when the motorcyclist is hit head-on or T-boned by the other motor vehicle. Injuries often involve the following:
- Fractured limbs;
- Fractured collarbone;
- Traumatic brain injury;
- Lacerations, heavy road rash, and contusions;
- Internal bleeding;
- Burn injuries
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Facial injuries including broken jaw, eye socket, and nose; and
- More.
HOW THE OTHER PARTY’S INSURER CAN DEVALUE YOUR CLAIM
Motorcyclists face an unfortunate uphill battle when proving liability, as many parties involved in the claims process are biased against motorcyclists. From police and jurors to judges and insurance adjusters, injured motorcyclists are often wrongly blamed for causing the crash. Moreover, because of Florida’s comparative negligence doctrine, by not wearing a helmet, injuries to a motorcyclist’s head can essentially be written off as the motorcyclist’s own fault. This is true even if the negligent driver was 100 percent liable for causing the collision, and despite the fact that riding without a helmet in Florida is completely within your right. As such, your damages can be greatly reduced by either a biased party who believes that you were partially at fault, or simply because you were not wearing a helmet, and the other party successfully argues that the injuries to your head and/or face would have not occurred had you been wearing a helmet.
CALL OUR WEST PALM BEACH MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS TODAY FOR ASSISTANCE
There are few things as traumatic as being hit by a car or truck while riding a motorcycle. Sadly, many motorcycle crash victims suffer PTSD and never hop on their bikes again. The driver who caused your injuries has taken enough from you. To make sure they do not take away your financial security as well, contact the West Palm Beach motorcycle collision attorneys at Hale Law today at 1-800-800-1414 to schedule a free consultation.