No matter how many precautions you take as a motorcyclist, accidents can still occur due to driver negligence. You can work to hold an at-fault driver responsible for their actions, and our motorcycle accident lawyers in Orlando can help.
At The Schiller Kessler Group, our team is dedicated to helping you recover justice and fair compensation. We have over three decades of experience representing accident victims.
Our Orlando personal injury lawyer can explore your legal options. To get started, contact us today for a free consultation.
How Our Orlando Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help You Seek Compensation
Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries that can leave victims facing significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. At The Schiller Kessler Group, our experienced attorneys understand the unique legal and medical complexities involved in these cases.
We are dedicated to helping riders in Orlando recover the compensation they need to cover medical costs, lost wages, and other damages caused by negligent drivers.
More people choose The Schiller Kessler Group because they know that we're a cut above other personal injury law firms.
How Auto Insurance Applies to Motorcycle Crashes
Unlike drivers of passenger vehicles, Florida does not impose the same insurance requirements on motorcycle riders, such as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance.
Because PIP does not typically apply to motorcycle riders, injured motorcyclists can usually pursue compensation through a third-party liability claim or personal injury lawsuit.
This distinction is especially important because motorcycle accidents often lead to severe injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and other types of head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Severe road rash or burns
- Internal injuries, such as organ damage
- Whiplash
Severe motorcycle injuries like these can lead to expensive medical bills, along with ongoing medical treatment costs that can financially overwhelm victims and their families.
See a Doctor Immediately After a Motorcycle Collision
Even seemingly minor injuries can disguise severe conditions with latent symptoms. Delaying medical care can worsen these injuries.
Seeking medical attention immediately and following through with your doctor’s orders can help you reach your maximum medical recovery after suffering these common motorcycle accident injuries. Medical records can also protect your motorcycle accident case.
No matter what time of day it is, you can contact The Schiller Kessler Group to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Filing a Claim Against Negligent Drivers and Seeking Compensation
If a negligent driver caused your accident, our law firm will take every step necessary to hold them accountable.
Our attorneys can file an insurance claim and negotiate directly with insurance companies to ensure you’re not taken advantage of and that you seek fair compensation for:
- Current and ongoing medical expenses: If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for both your immediate medical expenses, such as emergency room visits and surgeries, as well as ongoing costs like physical therapy, medications, and follow-up care.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity: Motorcycle accident injuries can prevent you from working, either temporarily or permanently. You can seek compensation for the wages you’ve already lost and any reduction in your future earning capacity caused by long-term injuries or disabilities.
- Pain and suffering: Beyond physical injuries, motorcycle accidents often leave victims with significant emotional and psychological pain. Compensation for pain and suffering addresses the physical discomfort, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the accident.
- Property damage: You may also recover compensation for the repair or replacement of your motorcycle and any other personal property damaged in the accident, such as a helmet, phone, or clothing.
- Permanent disability: If your injuries result in permanent disability, you may face lifelong challenges, including the inability to work, perform daily tasks, or participate in activities you once enjoyed. Compensation can help address the financial and emotional toll of these impairments.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Severe injuries from motorcycle accidents can leave lasting scars or cause disfigurement, leading to both physical and emotional impacts. Compensation can cover the costs of reconstructive surgery and address the psychological toll of adjusting to your changed appearance.
Insurance companies may attempt to undervalue or outright deny your motorcycle accident claim. Our Orlando personal injury attorneys can counter their determination of fault and advocate for you.
If the insurance company fails to offer a fair settlement, we are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and take your case to court.
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
Because motorcycle riders do not rely on PIP coverage, we can help you pursue compensation beyond the limits that car accident victims must adhere to under Florida Statutes § 627.737.
Our law firm has helped clients recover compensation from negligent drivers, and we’re here to help you, too. From managing interactions with insurance companies to ensuring you have access to the best medical care, we’ll handle every aspect of your case.
Understanding the Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits in Florida
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Florida, it’s important to know that there are strict legal deadlines for filing a lawsuit. Under Florida law, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim, as established by Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a). This time limit applies to most negligence-based claims, including motorcycle accidents.
Failing to meet this deadline can result in your case being dismissed, which means you lose the opportunity to pursue compensation from a liable party. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you meet your legal deadlines and streamline the legal process as much as possible.
How Florida’s Negligence Laws Can Affect a Motorcycle Collision Case
On March 24, 2023, House Bill (HB) 837 went into effect. The bill impacts plaintiffs in personal injury cases. If you are found to be partly responsible for your motorcycle accident, the damages you receive may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, a judge or jury may deem you 10% responsible for your motorcycling accident. If this occurs, the judge or jury determines that the defendant in your case is 90% at fault. Therefore, the defendant may have to pay you 90% of the damages you originally requested.
In a case where you are determined to be primarily at fault, you may be ineligible to receive damages. For instance, a judge or jury may say you are 51% liable for your motorcycle crash. In this instance, you may be solely responsible for your collision-related losses.
Proving Negligence in a Motorcycle Accident Case
Working with our motorcycle accident attorney in Orlando can help you collect a body of evidence to prove fault. We can help verify that the following elements of negligence were present at the time of your motorcycling collision:
- Duty of care: An at-fault party had a legal obligation to avoid careless and reckless acts toward you.
- Breach of duty: The party violated this obligation, committing a careless and reckless act that put you in danger.
- Causation: Since the party breached their obligation, your accident happened, and you got hurt.
- Damages: You are dealing with economic or non-economic losses because of the party’s actions.
Our motorcycle collision attorney in Orlando may use accident scene photos, police reports, and other pieces of evidence to help you hold the responsible parties accountable for your motorcycle accident injuries.
Examples of How Negligence Causes Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are often caused by avoidable factors, many of which stem from negligence or unsafe driving behaviors. Understanding these common causes can help identify who may be at fault and hold them accountable:
- Distracted driving: Drivers who are texting, using their phones, eating, or otherwise distracted often fail to notice motorcyclists, resulting in dangerous collisions.
- Failure to yield to motorcyclists: Many crashes occur when drivers fail to yield the right of way at intersections, during lane changes, or while making left-hand turns, putting motorcyclists in harm’s way.
- Aggressive or reckless driving: Speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and other irresponsible behaviors greatly increase the risk of collisions with motorcycles.
- Poorly maintained roadways or hazardous conditions: Potholes, debris, uneven pavement, and inadequate signage can create dangerous road conditions for motorcyclists, who are especially vulnerable to road defects.
- Drunk or impaired driving: Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs have impaired judgment and reaction times, making them more likely to cause serious motorcycle accidents.
These factors often lead to severe injuries for motorcyclists, who lack the protection afforded by cars. If you were involved in a motorcycle accident caused by any of these factors, The Schiller Kessler Group can help you hold the negligent party responsible and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Our Orlando Motorcycle Crash Lawyers Can Help You Seek a Fair Settlement
If you are injured in an accident, our attorneys can help you avoid legal mistakes. One of the most common mistakes motorcycle accident victims make involves accepting a lowball settlement.
Our lawyer can evaluate a settlement proposal with you. If your attorney believes a settlement offer is far less than what you deserve, they will let you know. You may weigh the pros and cons of an offer and decide whether to accept or decline it.
With a settlement proposal, you have the final say. If you are satisfied with a proposal, you can approve it. At this point, you can accept the offered compensation from the liable party and close your case.
Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Accidents
When the at-fault driver in a motorcycle accident flees the scene, it can create significant challenges for injured victims. However, you still have options to pursue compensation, and The Schiller Kessler Group is here to help.
Evidence, such as surveillance footage, witness statements, or accident scene details, may help law enforcement identify the hit-and-run driver.
If the At-Fault Driver Cannot Be Identified
If the driver cannot be located, we can assist in filing a claim through your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage to seek financial recovery for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Hit-and-run accidents often add stress to an already difficult situation, but our legal team is committed to exploring every available avenue to help you recover the compensation you deserve, even if the responsible party remains unidentified.
How Our Orlando Wrongful Death Lawyers Help Grieving Families
Losing a loved one in a fatal accident is one of the most devastating experiences a family can endure. At The Schiller Kessler Group, our compassionate team of Orlando wrongful death lawyers is committed to helping grieving families seek justice and compensation after a tragedy, such as a fatal motorcycle accident.
We understand the emotional toll this can take on your family and are here to guide you through the legal process with care and professionalism. When a loved one is taken too soon due to someone else’s negligence, it can leave families not only heartbroken but also burdened with financial challenges.
Our attorneys are here to help you hold the responsible party accountable and recover damages for:
- Pain and suffering, including the physical pain and emotional distress your loved one endured before passing due to their fatal injuries
- Medical expenses incurred for emergency treatment of the injured motorcyclist
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of financial support, companionship, and guidance
Our team will investigate the circumstances of the fatal motorcycle accident, gather evidence, and determine who is at fault. Whether the accident was caused by a negligent driver, defective road conditions, or another factor, we will work tirelessly to hold the at-fault party accountable.
Compassionate Legal Support in Difficult Times
At The Schiller Kessler Group, we know that no amount of compensation can ever replace your loved one. However, pursuing a wrongful death claim can help alleviate some of the financial burdens you are facing and provide a sense of justice for your family.
Our attorneys will handle every aspect of your case, allowing you the time and space to grieve and heal. From negotiating with insurance companies to representing your family in court, we are here to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal accident, we can provide the compassionate legal support your family needs during this difficult time.
We Work on a Contingency Basis
At The Schiller Kessler Group, we believe that financial concerns should never prevent you from seeking justice after a motorcycle accident. That’s why we operate on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t have to pay any upfront fees for our legal services.
You only pay if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. This approach allows you to focus on your recovery without worrying about legal costs. Throughout the process, our team is dedicated to fighting for your best interests and helping you pursue the financial recovery you need.
By working this way, we make it easier for accident victims to access experienced legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
Let Our Orlando Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Help You
The Schiller Kessler Group is ready to help you hold a negligent party accountable and seek the financial recovery you deserve. Our Orlando motorcycle accident attorney can examine your case and help you determine where to go from here.
With over three decades of experience and a track record of helping over 30,000 accident victims, The Schiller Kessler Group is here to fight for your rights.
For a free case evaluation, contact us today. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, so you never have to worry about paying upfront fees.
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