If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important to speak to a New Port Richey motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. The experienced team of personal injury lawyers at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA is nearby and ready to help.
We understand why you love riding a motorcycle. The feel of the open road, the freedom your cycle brings, and the cost-effective means of transportation are only a few of the reasons riders choose a motorcycle over a car or truck. However, without protection like rollbars, airbags, and the shell of a larger vehicle, riders who are involved in collisions usually suffer severe and life-changing injuries.
After a serious accident, a skilled motorcycle crash attorney can become your best ally and advocate. The tenacious and knowledgeable motorcycle injury lawyers at Dolman Law Group can fight for your legal right to recover the maximum compensation possible under your specific circumstances.
When Someone Else's Negligence Leads to a Motorcycle Accident and You Were Injured, Turn to Dolman Law Group
Our team of New Port Richey personal injury lawyers understands the challenges you are facing after a motorcycle accident. The at-fault driver's insurers will quickly try to blame you because you were on a motorcycle, or they may not take your injuries and losses seriously. However, we know the devastation a motorcycle accident can cause. Your health and your life can be forever changed.
We want to fight for you and help you move past this traumatic situation. Let us pursue the money you need to cover your expenses and help compensate you for all your crash-related losses. You can count on our vast experience and successful track record representing victims of motorcycle accidents in New Port Richey and statewide.
While our past results cannot predict the outcome of your claim, our previous successes include:
- A $1.4 million settlement for a client in a serious motorcycle accident
- A $1 million recovery for the victim of traumatic brain injuries in a motorcycle collision
- A $750,000 insurance settlement for a motorcycle accident victim after sustaining multiple injuries including a TBI and severe shoulder injury
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in New Port Richey, FL?
According to the NHTSA, roughly 5,000 motorcyclists are killed in traffic accidents each year. Sometimes motorcycle fatalities go up and down by a small degree, but never by very much. This means that nearly 14 people die every day in the US because of motorcycle crashes. This statistic highlights the danger of being involved in a motorcycle accident and the risk of riding in general. But to those who love to ride, statistics don't paint a complete story.
With well over half a million motorcycles registered in Florida, many riders enjoy the scenic routes in the Sunshine State every day without incident. However, every year, more than 500 motorcyclists die in a traffic crash on Florida's roadways. Also, nearly 2,000 motorcyclists suffer incapacitating injuries according to The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
How are Motorcycle Accidents Usually Caused in New Port Richey?
More often than not, the responsibility for causing a motorcycle accident falls on the driver of a vehicle other than the motorcycle. In fact, the most common cause of motorcycle accidents is not the bad behavior of motorcyclists. Usually, another party's negligent or careless actions affect the safety of motorcycle riders and their passengers.
Unfortunately, there is a general lack of awareness when motorcycles are on the road. Many drivers of larger vehicles simply do not look for them or look too quickly and fail to see a motorcyclist. Other drivers not seeing a motorcycle on the highway, in combination with other negligent driver actions can spell disaster for a motorcyclist traveling in and around New Port Richey.
Driver Negligence That Can Lead to Devastating Motorcycle Collisions Includes:
- Distracted driving - including texting, eating, drinking, talking to passengers
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failure to yield when necessary
- Reckless and aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Violating traffic laws
Motorcycle Crashes Can Also Be Caused By These Negligent Situations:
- Road hazards - due to negligent highway maintenance
- Poor road conditions - also a road maintenance issue
- Defective parts or equipment - caused by motorcycle manufacturers and sellers
How Does a New Port Richey Motorcycle Collision Attorney Prove Fault in Your Accident Case?
Before anyone can receive payment for their accident-related losses, they must establish who was at fault for the accident itself. Florida law sets forth four specific factors that must be proved to determine who is liable for another person's expenses and legal damages. It's imperative to work with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer to gather evidence and build a solid case that shows all of these factors in order to recoup your losses in a legal claim.
In many circumstances, it is another driver involved in the motorcycle accident, but there are cases where multiple vehicles or parties play a role in the events leading up to a collision. To determine who is at fault for an accident, insurers and courts will look at the laws of negligence and whether the elements apply to the circumstances of at least one of the parties in a case. When a party is negligent in their actions or they fail to act when required, they can be liable to you for your damages.
The four elements of negligence required by law to hold someone else responsible for an accident include:
- A Duty: The law states all motorists have a duty of reasonable care to not harm others on the road
- A Breach of the Duty: The responsible person or entity acted or failed to act in a way that breached the duty of care owed.
- An Injury: Someone was injured as a result of the responsible party's act or failure to act, and
- A Causal Link: The injuries were causally related to the breach of duty.
Common Injuries Our New Port Richey Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Handle
Because of the nature of motorcycle riding, there is a high likelihood that riders and passengers will be severely injured when involved in a crash. In fact, even a bump in the road or being brushed by another vehicle can lead to catastrophic consequences, such as brain injuries, or even death.
Unfortunately, a catastrophic injury caused by a motorcycle accident can create a list of complications for the victim, including permanent and irreversible conditions that may prohibit the rider from working or participating in common life events ever again.
Because motorcycles offer no airbags, seatbelts, or metal exteriors to protect riders, when struck by another vehicle, the rider and passenger can be launched from the bike with great force. Sometimes, the second impact is more harmful than the first blow if the rider is thrown into traffic or a stationary object.
The injury lawyers at Dolman Law Group commonly handle motorcycle accident injuries including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Multiple broken bones
- Internal bleeding and injuries
- Road Rash
- Burns
- Injuries to joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles
Unique Hazards Motorcyclists May Face in Pinellas County
Anywhere you ride, there are bound to be unique hazards for motorcyclists. However, Florida offers some unique hazards that may make riding here more dangerous. In fact, the statistics back up this notion. And while it may be unclear why, Florida has the most motorcycle fatalities in the nation, according to a report from the NHTSA. In Florida, motorcyclists accounted for 19% of motor vehicle fatalities, while only making up about 7% of motorists.
Why is it more dangerous to ride in Florida? One reason could be the no-helmet-required law if you are over 21 years old and carry sufficient insurance coverage. However, there are other hazards that make Florida a more dangerous place to cruise. Let's look at some hazards for motorcyclists that are unique to Florida.
Sugar Sand
If you grew up in Florida, or have lived here for any length of time, you're familiar with sugar sand. Sugar sand is one of Florida's unique features, caused by millions of years of erosion to crystal, coral, and shells. This thin and dry substance is great when it comes to long walks on Florida beaches, but it can be a nightmare on Florida roads.
When sugar sand builds up on road shoulders or in less trafficked areas, it can create a serious hazard for motorcyclists. It only takes a small amount of this slippery sand to cause your tires to lose traction and you to lose control when another vehicle turns left in front of you or changes lanes without sufficient space. Keep an eye out for this type of hazard while cruising the Florida streets.
Construction Zones
Everyone knows that Florida roads always seem to be under construction. Interstate 4 is notorious for this problem, but many other major roads in Florida seem to suffer the same fate. Construction zones create windy turns, unexpected items in the roadway, congestion, and difficult-to-navigate obstacles. Similarly, the DOT allows for roadways to change height by as much as 1.5" without any gradient. This can be treacherous for motorcycle riders, especially as other motorists try to navigate the area without seeing you.
Wildlife
Wildlife is one of the great things about living in a state with so much undeveloped land. However, these animals can also present a serious hazard to riders. Deer, bears, armadillos, and opossums are prone to running out into Florida roads. If you are riding, especially at night or on a rural road, be extra cautious of other vehicles suddenly braking or swerving to avoid colliding with an animal.
Rain
The state of Florida receives 60 inches of rain every year. Likewise, it rains about 100 days out of the year. No surprise here, wet roads are hazardous. The more it rains, the more dangerous it is to ride or safely operate a car or truck. Additionally, Florida is the lighting capital of America. Pinellas County and similar coastal areas are particularly at risk. Vehicles may follow you too closely during bad weather and fail to stop to avoid an accident if they don't see you.
What Financial Losses Can a Skilled New Port Richey Motorcycle Crash Lawyer Recover for You?
While every claim is different, most motorcycle collision cases involve the same general categories of financial losses, also known as legal damages. Basically, a rider who was injured by someone else's negligence can request compensation for both economic and non-economic losses as explained below. Depending on the unique circumstances surrounding your situation, your lawyer may be able to request all or some of these losses on your behalf.
Economic damages include documented, out-of-pocket expenses such as:
- Medical bills, for both current and future healthcare related to the collision
- Lost income, including immediate lost wages and future lost earning capacity
- Motorcycle repairs
- Other verifiable accident-related costs.
Non-economic damages are more subjective and difficult to calculate without prior legal experience. A skilled lawyer can help you determine the value of your non-economic damages such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress including PTSD or depression
- Emotional recovery
- Loss of your prior lifestyle, relationships, and ability to participate in common events
- Loss of the use of a limb or complications caused by loss of vision or other bodily functions
- The wrongful death of a loved one.
When Should You Consider Partnering With a Motorcycle Collision Lawyer?
The short answer is... it's never too early to hire an attorney to represent your legal rights after a motorcycle crash. First, you have a limited amount of time to bring a civil lawsuit to request compensation from the responsible party.
In Florida, accident victims generally must file a lawsuit within two years of the accident, but that deadline might be shorter in some cases. It's crucial to know your filing deadline because if you miss it, you will lose the opportunity to recover the money you need and deserve. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney at Dolman Law Group will ensure you meet all filing deadlines and protect your interests while you focus on your physical and mental recovery.
Second, it costs you nothing to consult with our compassionate team of legal professionals. Since we only accept cases on a contingency fee basis, you pay nothing upfront and nothing until we successfully recover compensation for you. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain, so reach out now and let us start building your legal claim right away.
Contact a New Port Richey Motorcycle Accident Attorney at Dolman Law Group Today
If you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident, it is important to speak to a New Port Richey motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, our team of highly skilled motorcycle accident attorneys has helped many victims obtain the recovery they deserve for their injuries and related losses.
Call our New Port Richey office at 727-853-6275 or use our online contact form for your free consultation today.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA - New Port Richey Office
5924 Main St
New Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 477-9660
Motorcycle in rain: https://www.flickr.com/photos/vinothchandar/
Motorcycle safety: https://www.misawa.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2000856940/mediaid/1128605/