Injured? Turn to Robert Sparks Attorneys for Help.
If you or someone you love was injured in a motorcycle collision, don’t wait to call a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer at Robert Sparks Attorneys. Our team understands the unique challenges that must be dealt with in insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits related to motorcycle accidents, and we know how to seek maximum compensation on behalf of injured riders while protecting their legal rights to the fullest.
Call (813) 606-5050 to arrange your free and confidential consultation.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Every accident is different, and a single collision may have a number of factors that contributed to its occurrence. Our goal in investigating these accidents is to determine the primary cause and assign liability to an individual or entity. This allows us to pursue financial compensation from that party for our client’s serious injuries.
There can be many contributing factors in motorcycle accidents, such as:
- Negligent vehicle drivers
- Defective motorcycles or auto parts
- Objects in the road (debris, potholes, etc.)
- Dangerous conditions or road design
Most of the time, it is drivers or riders who are responsible for causing motorcycle accidents. In these cases, their insurance policies will typically cover compensation for medical care and lost earnings. In other cases, however, another party may be to blame. The manufacturer of a defective bike or auto part, for example, may be held accountable. City or county government entities may be liable for accidents caused by dangerous roads.
Motorcycle Accident Investigations
When any type of traffic collision occurs, the best way to determine its cause is through a complete investigation. Law enforcement may conduct their own investigation into the collision if someone was seriously injured, insurance claims adjusters may investigate the accident to determine fault, and a victim’s personal injury attorney may also carry out an independent investigation to see who may be held accountable.
These investigations will prove extremely important to a motorcycle accident claim or lawsuit, and at Robert Sparks Attorneys, we are highly competent in conducting our own investigations and analyzing others as we seek justice on behalf of our clients. In carrying out an investigation, our motorcycle accident attorneys may utilize the services of private investigators, accident reconstruction professionals, and expert witnesses.
We may do the following during the investigation process:
- Carefully document and measure skid marks, debris patterns and damage to the involved vehicles;
- Take photographs of the overall scene and its surroundings;
- Analyze information from vehicle computers, which may record crash-related data;
- Get contact information and statements from witnesses who saw the accident or its aftermath;
- Review all available information and the accident reports from law enforcement; and
- Get statements from the other party or parties involved in the collision, if possible.
Using this information, we can put together a reconstruction of the accident using drawings, computer software or other mediums. This can help our investigators determine exactly what occurred and also allow us to present evidence of the accident’s cause in negotiations or litigation as we pursue a fair settlement or award.
Understanding the Rights of Motorcyclists in Florida
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) couldn’t have said it better: “Motorcyclists have the same rights and privileges as any motor vehicle driver on the roadway.”
But what are these rights and privileges, and what responsibilities come along with them?
Below are several of the key rights and responsibilities of motorcyclists in Florida:
- Motorcyclists have the right to their own lane, and other vehicles are prohibited from depriving motorcycles of the full use of their lanes, though two motorcycles may ride abreast in a single lane.
- Motorcyclists are afforded the same right of way as other motor vehicles in intersections, while merging and in other similar situations on Florida roadways.
- Motorcyclists have the right to pursue financial compensation from at-fault parties if they are seriously or permanently injured in traffic accidents.
- Motorcyclists over the age of 21 have the right to decide whether they will wear helmets, as helmets are not required for riders over the age of 21 who have at least $10,000 in insurance coverage.
- Motorcyclists must obey the same traffic laws as other motorists, such as observing speed limits, using turn signals, obeying traffic signals and never riding under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
- Motorcyclists are required to carry insurance.
- Motorcyclists are prohibited from lane splitting in Florida.
- Motorcyclists must be licensed to operate their bikes.
Motorcyclists also have the right to be treated fairly by their insurance providers. Insurance companies must act in good faith when it comes to handling motorcycle accident claims, and this includes addressing these matters in a timely and fair manner. If an insurance provider is intentionally trying to deny or delay a valid claim, a rider may be able to take legal action to seek the full value of the claim plus damages.
Seeking Compensation for Your Injuries & Damages
Motorcycle accidents often cause serious and sometimes fatal injuries, due largely in part to the fact that a rider’s only protection is a helmet and the protective gear he or she is wearing. Road rash, broken bones, head trauma, internal organ damage, spinal cord injuries, and soft tissue damage may require immediate hospitalization, emergency surgery, and ongoing medical treatment. Some of these injuries can even result in death.
Considering the serious nature of motorcycle crashes, it is important for riders to work with legal professionals who can protect their right to compensation.
When a motorcyclist suffers serious or permanent injuries, he or she may be able to hold the at-fault party liable. Damages in a motorcycle accident claim may include medical costs, damage to the motorcycle, ongoing medical care, loss of earnings, loss of future earnings, pain and suffering, emotional trauma and possibly more.
Call Robert Sparks Attorneys for Your Free Consultation
Before accepting a settlement from the insurance company or signing anything that may limit his or her ability to recover maximum compensation, an injured motorcyclist should speak with a qualified attorney. Far too often, insurance companies attempt to make less of a rider’s injuries in order to pay out as little as possible.
A Tampa motorcycle accident attorney can put the necessary pressure on insurance providers and other interested parties to seek a fair settlement or award. This can make all the difference for a person who has been injured and is dealing with the physical, emotional and financial issues that typically follow an accident.
Contact Robert Sparks Attorneys today to take the first step in your case.
