If you have sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle accident, you need a knowledgeable and experienced team of North Miami Beach Motorcycle Accident Lawyers who will fight for your legal rights. Contact the skilled attorneys at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA for a free initial consultation to learn more.
Why You Should Choose Dolman Law Group as Your North Miami Beach Motorcycle Accident Law Firm
After a motorcycle crash, you should make sure that the personal injury firm you choose handles motorcycle cases and has successfully resolved these claims in the past. Also, you don't want to work with a firm that only settles cases and won't take a case to trial.
Dolman Law Group is a nationally recognized personal injury and motorcycle accident law firm. Our North Miami Beach personal injury lawyers have over 120 years of combined experience. Further, our law firm has recovered over $400 Million for our car accident, motorcycle accident, and other personal injury victims.
At Dolman Law Group, we will most likely begin by trying to settle your claim with the at-fault driver or their insurance company before we jump into civil litigation. However, insurance companies usually won't offer a fair and reasonable settlement at the start. As a result, you need an attorney who is skilled in the courtroom and not afraid to litigate your case if necessary.
The legal team at Dolman Law Group is proud to publish our past track record, including settlements, trial verdicts, and cases where the insurance company refused to make a fair offer but ultimately settled after we filed a lawsuit.
Some of our recent motorcycle crash case results include:
- A $1.4 million motorcycle accident settlement.
- A $1 million settlement for a client who incurred a traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle accident.
- A $415,000 settlement for a client who incurred damaged discs in the neck in a motorcycle accident.
You can see more of our successful case results which show how hard we work for our clients.
How Common are Motorcycle Collisions in North Miami Beach, FL?
In general, statewide and South Florida motorcycle accidents are too common and can result in serious injuries and sometimes fatalities.
Recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that almost 19 percent of fatal accidents that take place in Florida involve a bicycle or motorcycle. Sadly, Florida holds the number one position in terms of nationwide motorcycle fatalities. Alarmingly, nearly one in five Florida motorcycle operators do not even carry motorcycle insurance, and the majority do not wear helmets when they operate their motorcycles on Florida roadways.
For Miami-Dade County, reports from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles show there were 1,029 motorcycle crashes just in one recent year alone.
Where Do North Miami Beach Motorcycle Accidents Occur Most Often?
Motorcycle accidents can occur anywhere and may come about in a variety of ways. In most cases, the accident occurs when another motor vehicle driver collides with the motorcycle, causing injuries to the motorcycle operator and their passengers. Motorcycles are no match for large cars and commercial trucks, so when a collision occurs, serious injuries can result.
Moreover, the driver and passengers of a car or truck have a protective shell around them. Motorcyclists and their passengers do not have the benefit of this protective covering, and they usually suffer disproportionately as a result.
If you have sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle accident as an operator or passenger, you may be eligible to recover monetary compensation under the law. Our North Miami Beach motorcycle accident attorneys at Dolman Law Group can meet with you to discuss your case and we can assist you with proving every aspect of your personal injury case to recover the maximum amount of compensation possible.
Common Causes of North Miami Beach Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are well known for their intensity and propensity for inflicting brutal injuries on riders. These accidents share a lot with car accidents in terms of injuries, causes, and risk factors yet have many unique qualities of their own.
For example, motorcycle accidents generally cause more severe injuries to riders and are more common among the rider base despite the fact that fewer people ride motorcycles. Motorcycle accidents have a few risk factors that are not as common as other vehicle collisions such as:
Motorcycle Rider Visibility
One of the primary causes of motorcycle accidents across the state and country is the lack of visibility that comes with riding a motorcycle. Many drivers collide with motorcyclists simply because they do not realize that the motorcycle is there. Motorcycles can easily fit into the blind spots of larger motor vehicles and get hit when those motor vehicles make a number of maneuvers.
While motorcyclists usually take a number of measures to maximize their visibility to other drivers by painting their bikes, using powerful lights, and wearing reflective clothing, drivers still don't see them. Ultimately, a motorcyclist can take every precaution to maximize their visibility and end up still being hit by careless drivers.
Distracted Driving
Perhaps the most common reason all motor vehicles are involved in an accident is distracted driving. Most people are familiar with texting and driving as the primary example of distracted driving yet this often doesn't apply to motorcyclists who typically can't text while driving.
However, there are a number of other distracted driving activities that motorists are guilty of including, rubbernecking, eating and drinking, applying makeup, or simply talking to other passengers. Car and truck drivers are typically at a greater risk for driver distraction since smartphone use is much more likely.
Speeding
Regardless of the vehicle, when a motorist engages in high-speed driving the excess speed makes it more difficult to maneuver the vehicle to avoid an accident or stop in time when a hazard appears. Trying to make a light or change lanes at high speed when the driver doesn't take the time to look for a motorcycle can cause a devastating collision that the rider cannot avoid.
Lane Switching
The primary maneuver that results in collisions with motorcyclists is lane switching. As drivers change from lane to lane or when motorcyclists switch from lane to lane, there is a high risk that a motorist will not see a motorcyclist and collide with them because they were either in their blind spot or out of sheer negligence.
North Miami Beach Motorcycle Accidents Injuries Caused by Negligent Drivers
Sometimes, no matter how much caution motorcycle operators and their passengers exercise, negligent drivers collide with motorcycles and cause serious injuries. A hard impact can cause a motorcyclist and their passenger to fall off the motorcycle and strike their heads and bodies on the ground or other objects.
Common injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs),
- Bone fractures,
- Paralysis,
- Spinal cord injuries,
- Scarring,
- Soft tissue injuries, and
- In the worst cases, death.
When motor vehicle drivers operate their vehicles in careless and reckless ways—usually by speeding or violating some other traffic law—they can be held accountable in cases involving permanent injuries or extensive damages. The owner of the at-fault vehicle can also be held liable if they entrusted the vehicle to the negligent driver.
What Damages Can an Injured Motorcycle Rider Request?
After a motorcycle crash caused by the negligence of another person, the motorcycle accident victim may recover compensation for several financial losses, including:
- Related medical and physical therapy bills, including surgeries, home health care (both current and future expected costs)
- Lost income and wages (both current losses and loss of future earning capacity)
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional distress,
- Mental anguish,
- Loss of use of limbs, vision, or other losses, and
- Lost enjoyment of life.
The motorcycle accident attorneys at Dolman Law Group can help you recover the damages you deserve to help make you whole following your accident.
How Much Compensation Can I Recover Following a North Miami Beach Motorcycle Accident?
Recovering fair compensation from the at-fault party is incredibly important following a North Miami Beach motorcycle accident. The accident can send your finances into a tailspin. Not only are your medical bills mounting quickly, but you may not be able to work due to your motorcycle accident injuries—and that lost income can cause a chain reaction of financial difficulties that can make it very difficult for you to financially recover.
A motorcycle accident claim can help restore some of the funds you may have lost in your North Miami Beach motorcycle collision. At Dolman Law Group, we cannot guarantee the compensation you will ultimately recover for your motorcycle accident injuries. However, as we evaluate your claim, we will take a look at the following key factors and how they may influence the compensation you can recover for your injuries.
Who caused your motorcycle accident?
Often, motorcycle accidents in North Miami Beach occur as a result of driver negligence. The driver might, for example, fail to look closely enough before changing lanes or ignore your right to take up an entire lane of traffic.
A distracted or inebriated driver might fail to notice your presence entirely. When driver negligence leads to an accident, you may need to file a motorcycle accident claim through that driver's insurance.
Florida auto insurance policies may have strict limits regarding the compensation you can recover following a motorcycle accident. The limits of that policy may determine how much compensation you can ultimately receive for your injuries.
What injuries did you sustain in your motorcycle accident?
Motorcycle accidents can lead to many serious injuries. Traumatic brain injury occurs frequently in motorcycle collisions. You may have suffered multiple broken bones, severe road rash, and even a spinal cord injury in your accident.
The more severe your injuries, the higher your medical bills—and the more compensation you need to recover for those injuries. Often, your medical bills will serve as the foundation of your claim following a motorcycle accident. Keep track of all medical bills in one place as they come in so that you can put together a highly comprehensive claim that reflects your real financial losses.
How many hours at work did you miss, and how did it impact your income?
Many people find that lost income, when their injuries prevent them from working, leads to significant financial limitations and challenges. The longer you remain out of work, the more difficult it can prove to rebuild your finances following your accident. You can request your lost wages as part of a motorcycle accident claim after your accident.
How did your motorcycle accident injuries impact other areas of your life?
If you suffered a motorcycle accident in North Miami Beach, those injuries may have a heavy impact on all areas of your life. Not only do they cause immense physical pain and suffering, but they may leave you suffering from severe emotional anguish, including the loss of your independence and even loss of enjoyment of life.
As part of your motorcycle accident claim, you can include compensation for the pain and suffering you have faced while recovering from your injuries. Talk to your attorney about specific ways in which your motorcycle accident injuries have impacted you and how that impact may ultimately contribute to your North Miami Beach motorcycle accident claim.
Call the North Miami Beach Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Dolman Law Group Today for a Free Consultation and Case Evaluation
Insurance companies are absolutely not on your side in a motorcycle accident injury case and will do everything they can to reduce your damages. If you have sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle accident, you need a knowledgeable and experienced team of attorneys who will advocate for your legal rights.
The attorneys at Dolman Law Group can be your advocates both during settlement negotiations and, if necessary, in the courtroom. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with a North Miami Beach motorcycle accident attorney, please call us at (305)-676-8154 or contact us online today.
North Miami Beach Motorcycle Accident FAQs
If you suffered serious injuries in a North Miami Beach motorcycle accident, you likely have questions, not just about your direct recovery, but also about your right to compensation. Be sure to contact Dolman Law Group with any specific questions you may have about your claim. In the meantime, check out the FAQs below for some general information.
1. I wasn't wearing a helmet at the time of my North Miami Beach motorcycle crash. Do I still have the right to file a personal injury claim?
Although helmet use can vastly decrease the risk of many serious motorcycle accident injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and facial injuries, you can still be severely injured while wearing one. Even though Florida law does not require helmet use for motorcycle riders over the age of 21 who carry adequate insurance policies, injured motorcycle drivers and passengers without helmets still have legal rights.
Even if you do not wear a helmet in a motorcycle accident and sustain injuries, you may still have the right to a motorcycle accident claim against the individual that caused your accident. Contact Dolman Law Group to discuss the circumstances that led to your North Miami Beach motorcycle accident and whether you may have grounds to file a claim against the responsible driver.
2. Does the driver who caused my injuries have to pay my medical bills after an accident?
As the injured party and the one receiving treatment, you will bear ultimate responsibility for your medical expenses after a motorcycle accident. When you file a motorcycle accident claim to hold the driver that caused your accident liable, typically, the driver's insurance company will issue a settlement check to you.
Often, if you sustained severe injuries in your motorcycle accident, especially injuries like spinal cord injuries that may require ongoing treatment, you will find that your medical costs exceed the compensation your settlement provides. As the injured party, you will still need to make arrangements to pay your medical bills since the settlement check does not go directly to your medical care team. You and your lawyer can discuss how your bills will be paid from the settlement.
Your personal health insurance can help alleviate some of the expenses associated with serious motorcycle accident injuries. Contact your insurance provider as soon after your accident as possible to learn more about what coverage you have. You may want to ask questions about in-network providers versus out-of-network providers or what coverage you have for specific elements of care you know you will need after your accident.
3. Will personal injury protection (PIP) insurance cover me after a North Miami Beach motorcycle accident?
While Florida law requires the drivers of cars to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which offers assistance in paying immediate medical bills following a serious accident, it does not require the same insurance for motorcycle riders.
Unfortunately, personal injury protection insurance, even if you carry it on your other vehicles, typically does not cover motorcycle accidents. You may need to file a personal injury claim against the liable driver's insurance to recoup financial compensation for your North Miami Beach motorcycle accident injuries.
4. What should I do after a North Miami Beach motorcycle accident to protect myself?
Your personal health should take top priority following a North Miami Beach motorcycle accident. Even if you believe that you managed to escape without sustaining serious injuries, always have a doctor evaluate you to ensure that you did not suffer more serious injuries than you think. Often, motorcycle accident victims think they have come out all right, only to later discover that they sustained serious injuries.
You should also always:
Report the accident.
Always report your North Miami Beach motorcycle accident to the police. Unless you need to leave to seek medical attention, or you feel unsafe in any way at the accident scene, you should not leave the scene of the accident until the police arrive.
Do not let the liable driver convince you that you do not need a police report, even if you do not think you have sustained serious injuries. A police report can serve as vital evidence for later managing your motorcycle accident claim.
Contact our North Miami Beach motorcycle accident attorneys.
Following your North Miami Beach motorcycle accident, an attorney can offer vital support in moving forward with a personal injury claim. Do not attempt to handle your claim on your own or talk to the other driver's insurance company before consulting with an attorney to learn more about your specific rights following a serious motorcycle accident.
5. I thought my motorcycle accident was minor, but I actually suffered more serious injuries than I thought. Can I still pursue a motorcycle accident claim?
Even if you did not head immediately to the hospital after your North Miami Beach motorcycle accident, you may still have the right to pursue compensation for any injuries that you sustained in the accident.
Sometimes, injuries can appear days or even weeks after the initial accident. Don't brush off your initial symptoms and try to ignore them or assume that you just feel a little stiff and sore because of the accident. However, if you did not seek medical care at the time of the accident, it can prove more difficult to establish exactly when your injuries occurred, and you may need more help moving your claim forward.
Contact an experienced North Miami Beach motorcycle accident attorney as soon as you realize the extent of your injuries to help you begin building your claim.
6. The liable driver's insurance company called a few days after my North Miami Beach motorcycle accident to offer me a settlement. Should I take it?
Before accepting any settlement offer from an insurance company after a motorcycle accident, make sure you speak with an attorney to discuss your rights, including the amount of compensation you may really deserve for those injuries.
Often, the insurance company will offer an initial lowball settlement, and then apply a lot of pressure to the victim as they try to convince them to accept it. Unfortunately, that settlement usually does not reflect the real financial loss the victim has suffered—and may, in fact, reflect a small percentage of the compensation really deserved for those injuries.
Let an attorney look over your settlement offer before you decide whether you want to accept it. Once you have had an attorney review your claim, you may have a better idea of how much compensation you actually deserve, which can help you decide when to accept an offer and when you may want to work with a lawyer to negotiate for the compensation you really deserve.
7. Will I have to go to court to resolve a North Miami Beach motorcycle accident claim?
Most auto insurance companies will try to settle motorcycle accident claims outside of court. If you have to go to court, it will significantly increase the legal costs involved.
However, sometimes a trial is necessary if:
- The insurance company disputes liability for your accident. Maybe the insurance company is claiming that you sat deliberately in a driver's blind spot or sped through an intersection without stopping, although you know you took the necessary steps for your own safety. If the insurance company disputes liability for your accident, you may need to go to court to prove the at-fault driver's liability.
- The insurance company refuses to pay the compensation you really deserve. If you sustained severe injuries, you may have a harder time negotiating with the insurance company, since you may need to recover a considerable amount of compensation. If negotiation fails, you may have to go to court to resolve your claim.
Contact the Skilled North Miami Beach Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Dolman Law Group Today
While you are considering which Miami motorcycle lawyer to work with, be sure to research their skills, qualifications, and experience. Does the lawyer or law firm have a reputation for litigating cases and taking them to a jury? The team at Dolman Law Group is not afraid to litigate cases and the insurance companies know it.
Our motorcycle accident attorneys have successfully handled thousands of serious injury cases. We have seen nearly every type of fact pattern and our experience makes a huge difference. Injured motorcycle riders can be confident this is a law firm that has the financial resources to take on any corporate defendant. Call us at (305) 676-8154 or send a message through our online contact form for a no-obligation, free consultation today.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
1820 NE 163rd St #306,
North Miami Beach, FL 33162
(305) 676-8154