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Motorcycle Accident Attorney in St. Petersburg, FL

Motorcycle Accident Attorney in St. Petersburg, FL

St. Petersburg is the perfect place to ride a motorcycle, with warm weather making for pleasant riding conditions most of the time. Unfortunately, busy roads throughout St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area mean more cars and trucks buzzing around bikers. When motorcycle accidents occur, riders are left with permanent scars and disabilities, impacting their quality of life and ability to earn a living. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, do not wait to speak with a highly qualified St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer.

Personal Injury Attorneys McQuaid & Douglas can help you pursue a legal claim to hold the at-fault driver or another party accountable for their actions. Our attorneys have a proven record of obtaining maximum results on behalf of motorcycle accident victims. In total, we have secured more than $145 million in compensation for our deserving clients.

At our motorcycle accident law firm, you’ll never be treated like just another case number. We care about your physical and emotional recovery following a serious collision. Our team will be by your side through each step of your case, working to provide the attention and support you need to move forward. Contact us to learn more about how we can help in a free case evaluation.

Do You Have a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

If you were hurt in a St. Petersburg motorcycle accident, you might be able to file a personal injury claim for compensation. If your wreck was caused by another motorist’s unlawful, careless, or reckless actions, such as by speeding, ignoring traffic lights or stop signs, or attempting to pass your motorcycle while in the same lane, that motorist can be held responsible. You might also have a motorcycle accident claim if you crashed your bike due to unsafe or poorly maintained roads.

To discuss the specifics of your case and what compensation may be available, contact us today for a free case review.

Why Are Motorcycle Accidents More Complicated?

Injured motorcycle riders often face a complex and difficult road to getting the compensation they need for their injuries. That’s because motorcycle accident claims can prove more complicated than an average car accident case for several reasons. These include:

  • Motorcycle riders tend to suffer more serious injuries because they’re fully exposed. Riders may require ongoing treatment that makes their future needs and losses not immediately clear. Our attorneys often work with top-tier experts to thoroughly evaluate anticipated future losses and determine the full value of a claim. Because riders often suffer such significant financial losses, resolving an accident claim can be much more complicated.
  • At-fault drivers may lack sufficient insurance coverage to cover a rider’s losses. A motorcycle rider could be forced to turn to his or her own insurance provider for compensation through uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Our motorcycle accident lawyers work to identify every possible source of compensation for injured bikers.
  • Liable motorists and insurance companies sometimes try to blame the rider for the accident, relying on stereotypes about irresponsible motorcycle riders. If some of the blame for an accident is assigned to the injured rider, it could reduce the total compensation received in the claim. Our dedicated St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyers know all the tactics insurance companies use to push the blame onto bikers, and we will fight back tooth and nail.

Statute of Limitations on Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits in Florida

Under Florida law, the statute of limitations sets a four-year deadline from the date of a motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. If you wait too long to bring your lawsuit, you risk having your case permanently dismissed by the court. This means you could lose your right to seek a financial recovery from the parties at fault for the crash.

Four years may seem like a long time, but it is crucial to get started on your claim as soon as possible. Contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in St. Petersburg to learn how we can help.

Why Hire a St. Petersburg Motorcycle Accident Attorney?

The last thing you want while recovering from your accident is to be battling daunting insurance companies and their experienced lawyers. They can be extremely difficult to take on if you file a personal injury claim alone. Here’s why the assistance of a motorcycle accident attorney in St. Petersburg is crucial for a successful outcome:

  • An attorney removes the legal pressures placed on you so you can focus on recovering and being with your family.
  • You won’t receive stressful phone calls from the insurance companies, and you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re in capable hands.
  • Our team will ensure evidence is preserved correctly in your case. Oftentimes, evidence can be lost or destroyed in a matter of days or even hours. We will work quickly to make sure it is secured.
  • Insurance companies will exploit the stress you’re going through, often pushing you into admitting a mistake. They will do their best to pay you as little as possible ─ or even deny your claim altogether. Our knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyers have a long track record of winning against big insurance companies. We won’t let them take advantage of you.
  • Acting soon will give you the upper hand and avoid the risk of missing important deadlines. The longer you wait without an attorney, the more time the insurance companies gain to devalue your claim.
  • Vastly greater compensation results can come from the work of a skilled St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer, rather than an inexperienced individual trying to handle a claim alone.

How Is Fault Determined After a Motorcycle Accident?

Unfortunately, some drivers at fault for motorcycle accidents try to avoid liability by shifting blame to the motorcycle rider. Our firm can investigate your motorcycle accident to recover evidence that we can use to prove how the other driver caused the crash. This evidence could include:

  • The police accident report
  • Accident scene photos
  • Vehicle damage or repair reports
  • Surveillance camera, traffic camera, dashcam, or helmet cam footage
  • Eyewitness statements
  • Medical records from the treatment of your injuries
  • Accident reconstruction expert reports

Determining motorcycle accident faults can significantly impact your claim for compensation. In Florida, accident claims follow the comparative negligence rule. This means that an injured accident victim’s share of fault will proportionately reduce his or her compensation. (In other words, if you’re 15% responsible for a crash, your total compensation amount would be reduced by 15%.)

What Compensation Can Be Recovered After a Florida Motorcycle Crash?

If you were injured in a motorcycle crash that was caused by someone else, you could be eligible to recover compensation for:

  • Costs of treating your injuries, including hospital bills, prescription costs, physical and occupational therapy, and purchases of medical or mobility equipment
  • Long-term care necessitated by permanent disabilities caused by your injuries
  • Loss of income and future earning potential if you can’t work due to the crash
  • Reduced quality of life due to extensive scarring or disfigurement, physical or cognitive disabilities, or reduced life expectancy attributed to your injuries
  • Physical pain and emotional distress from the accident
  • Costs to repair your bike or the cash value of your motorcycle if it was totaled in the accident

Understanding Florida Motorcycle Laws

Important Florida motorcycle laws include:

  • Helmets are required for riders under 21 and all riders who don’t have at least $10,000 in insurance coverage for injuries suffered in a motorcycle crash.
  • Motorcycles must have permanent, separate seats and footrests for passengers riding on the back of the bike.
  • Riders must obtain a motorcycle license or a motorcycle endorsement on their regular driver’s license.

Talk to Our Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in St. Petersburg Today

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If you’ve been the victim of a motorcycle crash, don’t wait another day to start pursuing the financial compensation you need for your injuries. Talking to a lawyer could be the first step toward returning to your regular life. Contact Personal Injury Attorneys McQuaid & Douglas today for a free, no-obligation consultation. You can speak with a knowledgeable St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer about how you can demand accountability and justice for what you’ve been through.

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