St. Lucie Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Though they represent a small fraction of the total number of motor vehicle collisions, motorcycle accidents by far tend to be the most catastrophic for riders. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ Crash Dashboard reveals that there are 114 of these incidents in St. Lucie County every year, and almost 87 percent of them result in at least one fatality or injury. Based upon the lack of a protective metal barrier, you may not be surprised to learn that the rider is most often the victim. Fortunately, you do have legal options if you were hurt or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident. Retaining legal representation is critical, so trust our attorneys at Sholtes Law, PLLC to fight for your rights. We’ll handle the claims process with the responsible driver’s insurance company, and we’re prepared to go to court to get the compensation you deserve. Please contact our office to schedule a free case evaluation with a St. Lucie motorcycle accident lawyer today.
Victims’ Rights in Florida Motorcycle Collisions
There are many specific causes behind motorcycle crashes, but most of them happen because of driver error. In the practice of law, this misconduct amounts to negligence. You must prove that the motorist breached the legal duty to drive safely, and this breach was a direct cause of the accident in which you were injured. For example, a motorist may be negligent in causing a motorcycle accident by:
- Failing to yield to a motorcycle rider;
- Running a red light or traffic sign;
- Speeding;
- Drunk or distracted driving; and,
- Improper lane changes.
Recovering Compensation for Your Losses
Our attorneys at Sholtes Law, PLLC will take the lead on the legal process for obtaining monetary damages, including medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Our work starts by filing an insurance claim, which may seem as simple as filling out some forms. However, you could encounter challenges, since insurers are reluctant to approve payouts that affect their bottom line. The adjuster may try to blame you for the accident because of Florida’s statute on comparative fault, a particular concern in motorcycle accidents.
The law works by focusing on your conduct in a crash. If you were partly responsible for causing the collision, your monetary damages will be reduced by the amount of fault attributable to you. Considering the characterization of motorcycle riders as daredevils, an insurance adjuster may employ the concept of comparative fault to justify paying you less than full compensation.
A St. Lucie Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Explain Your Options
From this overview, you can see that the legal process after a motorcycle crash is far from easy. The implications of comparative fault can have serious consequences, which is why it’s wise to trust our attorneys at Sholtes Law, PLLC. For more information on our services for victims in St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, and Martin Counties, please call 855-534-2509 or check out our firm online. We can set up a no-cost consultation to review your circumstances and advise you on your rights.
