Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Vero Beach, FL
Experience Matters: The Law Offices of Keith Bregoff Delivers Results
The sunny and warm weather in the State of Florida lends itself to ideal motorcycle riding conditions. And with over 500,000 motorcycles registered in the state, accidents with injuries are far too common. At the Law Offices of Keith Bregoff, our Vero Beach, FL motorcycle accident attorney can help riders recover from their injuries by pursuing the individual who caused the accident for financial compensation.
Our experienced, veteran Vero Beach motorcycle accident lawyer has represented the motorcycle community in Florida for over 23 years and can help you and your family design a positive legal approach to recover fully from a motorcycle accident.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Florida?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records statistics for motorcycle accidents throughout the United States and the State of Florida.
Those statistics include the following findings:
- There were an estimated 88,000 motorcyclists injured on the roadways last year, nearly 9,000 in Florida alone
- Motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities, and 4% of all people injured
- 4,976 motorcyclists were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the U.S. last year
- Florida leads the nation in motorcycle accident fatalities, recording 616 last year
- Motorcycle deaths in Florida increased 30% over a single year
Many safety experts believe that the sharp spike in motorcycle accidents is attributable to the rise in distracted driving, since drivers who text or talk on the phone and rarely scan the road ahead often fail to notice smaller vehicles, such as bicycles and motorcycles. The Florida Department of Motor Vehicles cautions drivers to look for motorcyclists on the roadways to ensure everyone’s safety. This can include providing enough room for riders to maneuver and change lanes, without following too closely.
Why do motorcycle accidents happen?
Motorcycles are necessarily more vulnerable than passenger vehicles on the road, lacking the protective sides and windows that keep car and truck drivers safe. This should lead to passenger vehicle and large truck drivers being more vigilant in looking for, and cautious while driving around, motorcycles. Unfortunately, many drivers simply aren’t paying enough attention to the road to notice motorcycles. Others may deliberately drive aggressively towards motorcyclists in retribution for a perceived offense, or simply because they don’t like or respect sharing the road with motorcycles. This negligent or aggressive behavior rarely has as serious of consequences for the driver of the passenger vehicle as it does for the motorcycle rider.
One of the most common types of accidents that can ensnare motorcyclists and result in serious, if not fatal, injuries, are intersection accidents. When making a left turn at an intersection, many drivers fail to look at oncoming traffic carefully enough to notice motorcycles approaching from the opposite direction. Drivers also frequently misjudge the speed of oncoming motorcycles, thinking they can complete their turn before the motorcycle reaches them rather than waiting for the motorcycle to pass through safely. When these accidents happen, motorcyclists may end up getting hit head-on by a car, or they may themselves strike the turning car facing forward. The motorcycle rider may not even make contact with the vehicle, instead swerving to avoid a collision and ending up on the ground or, worse, thrown off their bike and into traffic, while the other car drives away without a scratch.
Other common motorcycle accident causes include:
- Rear-end crashes
- Side-swipe collisions
- Distracted driver crashes
- Single-vehicle crashes caused by negligent road maintenance or unsafe conditions
- Phantom vehicle accidents
- Motorcycles being forced off the road by a distracted driver
How Can the Law Offices of Keith Bregoff Help an Injured Motorcyclist?
At the Law Offices of Keith Bregoff, our Vero Beach motorcycle accident attorney knows that not all motorists heed the DMV’s advice. Representing injured riders for more than 23 years, our accomplished Vero Beach motorcycle accident lawyer has helped hundreds of individuals recover from their injuries by pursuing a settlement that fits their specific, personal needs.
The jarring nature of motorcyclists colliding with a vehicle or truck can cause severe injuries that require extensive medical care.
These severe injuries can include:
- Fractured or broken bones
- Burns, or road rash
- Injury or loss of limbs
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Wrongful Death
These injuries can require extensive medical care, and cause serious financial strain. Our Vero Beach motorcycle accident attorney will help you seek a recovery package that suits your overall, long-term needs to ensure your health is a priority.
Our precise legal approach will include pursuing a compensation package that includes:
- Short and long-term medical expenses
- Medical equipment rental and prescriptions
- Loss of income
- Increased debt from lack of income
- Inability to return to work
- Property damage
Each motorcycle accident is unique, and our accomplished approach to pursuing recovery for each of our clients in unmatched in Florida. We will review your Vero Beach motorcycle accident case fully, including your complete medical needs, and long-term financial grievances, to ensure the full scope of each of our clients’ injuries are considered before a monetary settlement is pursued. Our strategic approach delivers results that help our clients heal fully over time.
When Motorcycle Accidents Lead to Wrongful Death – We Can Help
Florida leads the nation in motorcycle accident fatalities, and families are left feeling – emotionally and financially – from the loss of their loved ones. At the Law Offices of Keith Bregoff, our Vero Beach motorcycle accident attorney has handled countless wrongful death cases with remarkable success, allowing our clients to recover financially for the sudden loss of their family members. We can help put the pieces back together while you and your family take the time you need to grieve.
Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Also Focus on the Following Areas:
- Head-on Motorcycle Collision
- Motorcycle Lane Splitting
- Hit and Run Accident
- Left-Hand Turns Accident
Contact our Exceptional Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Vero Beach, FL Today
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident or have lost a loved one in a crash, do not hesitate to contact our accomplished Vero Beach personal injury attorney today at 772-492-8967 to schedule a free consultation. We will provide you with specialized legal guidance that will allow you to make informed decisions that deliver results. Contact us now to find out how.
At The Law Offices of Keith Bregoff, our Vero Beach, Florida law firm focuses on the following practice areas:
- Auto Accident
- Dog Bite
- Pedestrian Accident
- Serious Injury Law
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Truck Accident
- Wrongful Death
Frequently Asked Questions of Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Vero Beach, FL
Do you need to file a police report after a motorcycle accident in Florida?
In Florida, you are not required to file a police report after a motorcycle accident unless the accident resulted in injury, death, or property damage over $500. However, it is generally recommended to file a police report after any accident, as it can help establish liability and provide documentation for your insurance claim.
How will an attorney help get me more compensation for my motorcycle accident case?
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you get more compensation for your case by conducting a thorough investigation of the accident, gathering evidence to support your claim, and negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf. They can also help you understand your legal options and rights, and may be able to help you recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Is lane splitting legal in Florida?
Lane splitting, which is the act of riding a motorcycle between two lanes of traffic, is not legal in Florida. Motorcycles are required to follow the same traffic laws as other vehicles and are not allowed to pass between lanes of traffic.
What if I was injured while a passenger on a motorcycle?
If you were injured as a passenger on a motorcycle, you may have a legal claim against the driver of the motorcycle or another driver involved in the accident. An attorney can help you understand your legal options and rights, and may be able to help you recover compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Can a lawyer help me if my insurance company denies my claim after a motorcycle accident?
Yes, a lawyer can help you if your insurance company denies your claim after a motorcycle accident. Insurance companies are businesses and may sometimes act in their own interests instead of yours. A lawyer can help you negotiate with the insurance company and provide evidence to support your claim. If necessary, a lawyer can also represent you in court to help you recover compensation for your losses.
How can motorcycle accidents be avoided?
There are several ways to avoid motorcycle accidents, including wearing protective gear, following traffic laws, staying alert and focused while riding, avoiding distractions, and being aware of other drivers on the road. It’s also important to regularly maintain your motorcycle to ensure it is in good working condition.
When do most motorcycle accidents happen?
Motorcycle accidents can happen at any time, but statistically, the majority of motorcycle accidents happen between the months of May and September, during the warmer months when more motorcycles are on the road. Additionally, motorcycle accidents are more likely to happen on weekends and in the late afternoon or early evening. It’s important to always ride defensively and be aware of potential hazards on the road, regardless of the time of day or year.
Is there a difference in what I can recover for my injuries as a motorcyclist compared to what I’d get as a driver of a passenger vehicle?
Florida laws on insurance coverage for motorcycle riders is completely different from those that apply to occupants of passenger vehicles. One important difference is that no-fault laws don’t apply to motorcycle insurance coverage, and motorcyclists do not have to prove that they have purchased motorcycle insurance in order to obtain a license. Instead, riders need only prove that they carry at least $10,000 in medical benefits coverage, which can be through their normal health insurance. Recovering money damages after a crash without motorcycle liability insurance coverage can be difficult, however, and riders without coverage who are hurt in an accident are strongly encouraged to obtain the help of an attorney.
An insurance company has offered me a cash settlement. Should I take it?
Insurance companies often make quick settlement offers to accident victims who are clearly the deserving party in an accident. However, these settlement offers are rarely an accurate reflection of the full amount that the accident victim needs or deserves for their injuries. Before agreeing to a quick settlement of your Florida accident claim, speak with Vero Beach motorcycle accident lawyer Keith Bregoff for a free evaluation of your claim. You may be able to recover far more through a lawsuit than the insurance company will provide in a quick settlement.
My motorcycle accident happened because another driver turned in front of me, but I was driving too fast when the crash happened. Can I still file a claim for money damages?
Even if you were partially at fault for an accident, the state of Florida allows you to seek compensation for your injuries. Comparative negligence is the legal term for the degree to which an injured victim was responsible for their injuries, in comparison to the fault of the other party involved. Florida follows what is known as the “pure comparative negligence” rule. Under this rule, the injured person can always seek damages from the other person or people responsible for their injuries. That said, their compensation will be reduced by the percentage for which they were deemed responsible for the crash. In other words, if you were speeding and the judge or jury concludes that you were 75% responsible for the accident and the other driver was 25% responsible, you’ll only be able to recover 25% of your accident-related expenses from the other driver.
Related Links:
- Motorcycle Accidents Show How Vulnerable Motorcyclists Are to Serious Injuries & Death
- Motorcyclist Dies While Trying to Navigate Curve
- Five Shocking South Florida Personal Injury Statistics
- Top Three Plaintiff Personal Injury Claim Mistakes
- The Basics of Personal Injury Cases in Florida
- Insurance Coverage in Motorcycle Accidents
- Who is Liable for Florida Motorcycle Passenger Injuries After a Collision?
