Florida's treasure coast, with its ocean views and gorgeous weather, is an ideal spot for motorcyclists looking to go out for a ride. However, if you suffered harm in a motorcycle crash in this area, this ride can quickly go from a thrilling adventure to a dire situation, especially when the crash results in catastrophic injuries that impact your ability to live your life, take care of your family, and work.
Yet, if these accidents were due to another person's wrongful actions, you should not be the one left handling these consequences. Instead, you should be able to go after compensation for the harm and losses you suffered.
With an experienced Port St. Lucie motorcycle accident attorney on your side from Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, you will not have to take on this legal fight by yourself. Instead, you can focus on your recovery while these legal professionals go after the justice you deserve.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA., was created to help those harmed in an accident get the personalized attention they need and the aggressive legal representation they deserve. Today, the firm not only has met this goal, but because of our hard work and dedication, we have expanded to serve both Florida coasts and even help those hurt in an accident outside of the state.
While only past results and no guarantee of outcome in all cases, we have also secured millions of dollars for our clients through settlement negotiations and trial verdicts, including these recent judgments:
$1,400,000 for a motorcycle accident resulting in multiple serious injuries
$ 1,000,000 for a motorcycle collision that caused a traumatic brain injury
$415,000 for a motorcycle collision that resulted in a cervical fusion
In addition, so our clients can meet with our Port St. Lucie legal team when they need to, we have made it a point to offer virtual consultations. Or, if you prefer to see us in person, you can stop by one of our conveniently located offices throughout Florida.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Port St. Lucie
Although a motorcycle crash can occur for many reasons, in Port St. Lucie, these collisions frequently result because of:
In addition, these accidents happen at intersections, when a motorist fails to recognize an oncoming motorcyclist as they are making a left-hand turn.
However, if you suffered harm in a motorcycle collision in Port St. Lucie, even if the cause of your crash is not indicated above, reach out to an experienced Port St. Lucie motorcycle accident attorney at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA., as soon as possible. These attorneys can review your accident, figure out whether you have a valid legal claim, and help you go after the compensation you deserve.
Common Injuries Resulting From a Port St. Lucie Motorcycle Accident
Due to the limited protection that motorcyclists from an accident, catastrophic injuries tend to include:
What You Should Know About Port St. Lucie When It Comes to Motorcycle Collisions
Although motorcycle collisions can happen anywhere, in Port St. Lucie, these devastating accidents tend to occur more often on:
U.S. 1 and Prima Vista Boulevard
U.S. 1 and West Midway Road
Okeechobee Road and Midway Road
The one-mile stretch of Port St. Lucie Boulevard near Florida's Turnpike
However, if you sustained severe injuries in a motorcycle accident in any of these locations, call a motorcycle accident attorney with experience handling these crashes and has the local knowledge to go after the justice and financial damages you deserve.
The Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA's our award-winning trial attorneys not only have the skills to take on these complex claims, but we have also successfully argued many of these challenging cases in courtrooms all over Florida. We know what it takes to handle your Port St. Lucie motorcycle collision claim and fight for the maximum compensation you need.
The Statute of Limitations Following a Port St. Lucie Motorcycle Accident
After a motorcycle accident, another local issue victims should stay aware of is the statute of limitations. If they fail to submit their case within this deadline, they cannot pursue compensation for their harm and losses.
In Port St. Lucie, this means motorcycle accident victims only have four years from the date of their accident to pursue this legal suit. However, some exceptions apply to the rule.
For these reasons, following a collision, work with a Port St. Lucie motorcycle accident attorney, who can confirm exactly how much time you have to file your case and file all your motions, legal files, and documents before this time runs out.
Obtaining Compensation Following a Port St. Lucie Motorcycle Accident
According to insurance laws in Florida, a motorcycle accident victim will only be able to pursue damages from a third party following a motorcycle crash if they have a qualifying "serious injury" or if they have passed the $10,000 threshold. However, because of the severity of most motorcycle collisions, you may meet this threshold relatively quickly.
As a result, if you can pursue a lawsuit against the wrongful party after your motorcycle crash, you may obtain economic and non-economic compensation, such as:
Past and present medical bills related to hospitalization, medical prescriptions, doctor visits, assistive medical devices, emergency services such as ambulance rides, and other medical treatment
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Future ongoing medical treatment costs
Personal property damages, such as replacement or repair expenses
Pain
Suffering
Mental anguish
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of companionship
Inconvenience due to the injuries sustained from the accident
Disfigurement
Scarring
Reputation loss
Yet, because these damages include both easy-to-verify and hard-to-prove losses, obtaining these monetary damages can be challenging. However, working with a knowledgeable Port St. Lucie motorcycle accident attorney can help you with this process. These lawyers can not only figure out which of these damages you can pursue, but they can also prepare the strongest legal case on your behalf and fight for the financial recovery you are entitled to
Never Deal With the Insurance Company by Yourself
Following a motorcycle accident, many victims assume that the insurance company will try to help them secure the money they need to help them cover their medical costs and lost wages due to their accident.
Unfortunately, this is not how these companies operate. Like other businesses, these insurance companies want to make a profit. And by offering you less money following your accident, the more profit they end up making. That is why insurance adjusters will do everything to get you to admit fault for the incident, including getting you on the phone shortly after your crash, hoping you say something that hurts your case, and ultimately the amount of money you receive.
For these reasons, before you speak to the insurance company or provide them with a statement, you should discuss your case with a Port St. Lucie motorcycle accident attorney at the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA. Our legal professionals can help you understand these insurance companies and the deceitful practices they may try on you.
More importantly, our attorneys can also take over these discussions for you, making sure you do not do or say anything that can hurt your chance of securing all the money you need.
Taking Action After a Port St. Lucie Motorcycle Accident
While taking any action following a motorcycle accident may be the last thing on your mind, it is still important to point out that the things you do after this terrifying crash can not only affect your health and safety but the outcome of your legal claim. As a result, following this crash, it may be a good idea to consider the following steps:
Call the Authorities
After a motorcycle accident, you should call 911 immediately. This is the quickest way to alert everyone of your accident, including the police and emergency medical personnel, and get it on record. After the police arrive and perform their preliminary investigation, they can write down their findings in their police report, which can provide your attorney with valuable information that can help your case.
Get to a Doctor Immediately
Make getting medical treatment following this accident your priority. In the rare situation where an ambulance does not take you to the hospital after your accident, get to a doctor right away. Health care professionals can not only provide you the care you need and ensure you do not have any hidden, serious injuries such as a traumatic brain injury, but they can also help your legal claim.
For instance, after you get treated, the doctor will prepare a medical report that will detail the extent of your injuries and link them to your motorcycle crash. Your lawyer can then use this evidence to fight for the maximum monetary damages you deserve.
However, make sure you also stick to the treatment plans that your doctor sets for you. Otherwise, the insurance company may argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim them to be.
Gather Evidence
If you can, collect as much evidence from the accident scene as possible, including photos and videos of:
Your visible injuries
The vehicles involved in the crash
The damage to your bike
The placement of these vehicles on the road
Skid marks
Road defects, including potholes
Traffic signals and signs near the area
The weather conditions at the time of the accident
Any other things that can help show what happened
However, if you are can't gather this evidence because of your injuries, do not stress about it. Once you retain an experienced legal counsel, these attorneys can take on this investigation process for you and work on gathering this valuable evidence.
Talk to Witnesses
If there were people at the crash scene, you should try to get their names and phone numbers. These individuals can often provide your attorney with helpful details regarding your accident and even offer testimony that can help validate your claim.
Get Evidence to Your Attorney
When you meet up with your attorney, you will want to bring all the evidence you gathered with you, including:
The medical and police report
The photos and videos you got of the accident
The bills associated with the accident
Your attorney can use this evidence to prepare a strong legal case, prove what happened, and go after the financial damages you deserve.
Contact a Port St. Lucie Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If a Port St. Lucie motorcycle accident rattled your life, do not deal with the devastating repercussions on your own. Instead, contact Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, today at 833-552-7274 (833-55-CRASH) for your free case consultation and find out how our skilled legal team can help you fight for your rights and the justice you deserve.
Matthew Dolman
Personal Injury Lawyer
This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits. Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.