Motorcycle Accident Attorney Palm Beach Gardens

Motorcycle accidents account for only 2% of Florida’s vehicle accidents, but result in 17% of annual vehicular fatalities. This is slightly above the national average of 14%. About 550 people are killed annually in Florida. Another 7,000 people are seriously injured.

The danger to motorcycle riders comes from a combination of warm weather, frequent often unpredictable rains and winds, and fun roads. Florida ranks fourth in the nation for motorcycle fatalities. Approximately 70% of motorcycle accidents happen at intersections. Traumatic brain injuries are by far the most common cause of death.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, do not wait to seek legal advice from an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. At the Swan Law Firm, we will support you and your family through this difficult time. It’s tempting to try to negotiate directly with an insurance company or adjuster. But they do not have your best interests in mind. An insurance company will try to minimize its financial exposure. Therefore, an offer of settlement made before you have retained an attorney might seem like a fast fix, but you might be cheating yourself out of the fair compensation you deserve.

Why Choose Blake Swan as Your Motorcycle Accident Attorney

The reputation of a personal injury attorney matters, especially in the early stages of a claim for motorcycle accident injuries. Blake Swan has the credentials that impress insurance companies and defense attorneys. They know that claims filed by the Swan Law Firm are legitimate causes of action. We get results for our clients.

The Swan Law Firm is a top-ranked attorney among the National Trial attorneys Top 40, recovering over $90 million on behalf of clients from around the country.

The Swan Law Firm will fight till you get paid!

A successful personal injury attorney has a combination of skills:

• Up-to-date knowledge Florida motorcycle accident law and civil procedure
• Compassion and dedication to our clients
• Trial experience that backs up aggressive negotiating strategies
• A reputation among insurance companies and defense counsel
• Professional, strategic, and effective

This professional attitude means that we will aggressively, and ethically, advocate for our clients so that we can recover the compensation that you deserve.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

All motorcyclists should know the rules of the road and follow all safety protocols, including wearing a helmet. A collision between a motorcycle and a car, truck, or van can be fatal due to the weight disparities between the two vehicles. Once a motorcyclist has lost control, any collision into another vehicle, tree, embankment, or building can result in serious injury or death. Alcohol and drugs, too, often play a role in motorcycle accidents.

The most common causes of motorcycle accidents are:

• Other driver doesn’t see the motorcycle: Because motorcycles are small, although often noisy, other drivers often claim that they didn’t see the motorcyclist on the road. Many motorcycle drivers wear bright colors on their helmets or clothing to make themselves more visible on the road.
• Road conditions: Motorcycles are more sensitive to road defects and debris on the highway, ungraded pavement or other rough surfaces. Often road conditions narrow the options for motorcycle drivers, and surrounding motor vehicles don’t give them enough space to maneuver safely around potholes, debris, flooding, or construction.
• Speeding: The combination of speeding and inattention can be fatal to a motorcyclist.
• Unsafe turns: Motorcycles are often cut off by other drivers as they make a left turn, because they either don’t see the motorcycle, the other driver misjudges the speed of the oncoming motorcycle, or they are just plain negligent.
• Blind corners: Turning a motorcycle too quickly can cause a wipe out, due to road conditions or unexpected other vehicles.
• Lane changes: Many motorcycle accidents occur when another driver changes lanes without warning or fails to see the motorcycle.
• Distracted or inattentive driving: Too many motorists are distracted by texting, telephone calls, and conversations in their cars with passengers. This inattention can be exacerbated by alcohol and drug use.
• Failing to adjust to weather or road conditions: All drivers need to be alert to sudden changes in the weather, quite common in Florida with its tropical climate, and to changing road conditions.
• Mechanical failure: A poorly maintained car or truck can cause much damage on the road, especially to a motorcyclist if a driver loses control because of brake failure, a blown tire, or steering complications.

Of course, other parties can also be responsible for a motorcycle accident. A road crew might fail to clear all of the debris from work, or fails to adequately place signs to warn of obstructions, potholes, or uneven pavement. A local government or state agency may have poorly designed a roadway, failed to synchronize traffic lights, or adequately post speeding signs.

Motorcycle Accident Damages You May Be Entitled To

The injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident can be quite serious due to the vulnerability of the motorcyclist, especially when a truck or other vehicle is involved. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you to document your injuries and the resulting cost to you. Generally, damages might include compensation for:

• Reimbursement for medical costs and rehabilitative services
• Property damage
• Lost income or wages
• Loss of future income and opportunities
• Pain and suffering
• Wrongful death

How Blake Swan Can Help You

Every potential client who approaches the Swan Law Firm for a free consultation will be interviewed to determine the viability of your claim. This process involves reviewing the evidence, medical records, and perhaps conducting a brief investigation to locate the responsible parties and their financial assets, including insurance policies, and any prior claims based on dangerous road conditions or driving record.

Once a case is taken, and a retainer agreement drafted and signed, the Swan Law Firm will contact the insurance carriers, if any, to feel out whether negotiation or litigation is the best course of action for you. If the insurance carrier has undervalued the damage, and not offered an appropriate pre-filing settlement, then the Swan Law Firm will file suit on your behalf. Our goal is to maximize your recovery in the shortest period of time. However, not all cases can be settled without a trial. Especially complicated or serious motorcycle accident cases require a trial before a jury. And Blake Swan and his team has the experience and fight you want in a trial attorney.

We Fight Until You Get Paid

At the Swan Law Firm, we will guide you through the legal process and aggressively pursue your claim, maintaining integrity and offering you compassion and understanding during this difficult time. We are committed to providing our clients with legal representation based on their needs and our professionalism. Your case will begin with a Free Consultation.

We are standing by ready to assist you 24/7. Call us now at Swan Law Firm 561-291-7492 or fill out the contact form below to schedule your free consultation.

Our Florida office is located at:

11410 Jog Road, Suite 100
Palm Beach Gardens, FL, 33410

Our telephone number is: 561-291-7492

Or email Blake Swan at: bswan@swanlawfirm.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do after a motorcycle accident? Most importantly, take care of your medical needs, documenting all medical and ancillary costs. Take pictures of the crash scene, all damage to your motorcycle, any other vehicles, road conditions, and any property damage. File a report with the police and notify your insurance carrier. Do not agree to any settlement offered by your insurance company or the insurance company representing any other drivers. Consult an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. The Swan Law Firm has the experience and the savvy to assess your case and guide you to a resolution with compassion and commitment.

What if I wasn’t wearing my helmet when the accident occurred? Florida is a comparative negligence state, meaning that if you weren’t wearing a helmet, you can still sue for damages. However, any financial recovery will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to your failure to wear a helmet. Not all injuries will lead to a reduction. Broken legs or arms, or spinal cord injuries not attributable to failing to wear a helmet can be fully compensated.

How is liability established in motorcycle accident cases? Most motorcycle accidents are based on theories of negligence. However, liability can be established by criminal indictment or ticketing of the other motorist. In a negligence case, liability is established by proving that the other motorist had a duty to drive safely, that the duty was breached by inattention, speeding, driving while under the influence, or not obeying traffic laws or signs. The breach of duty must be the actual cause of your injuries. And your injuries and lingering conditions must be documented.

How are losses and damages determined in palm beach gardens motorcycle accidents? Like all claims for damages, the injured party must document any loses and damages. Make sure to seek out medical care and to keep track of all medical visits, prescription drug costs, rehabilitative services, and any medical equipment. In addition, keep track of time off from work, any costs for services during your incapacity, and any renovations to your home needed to accommodate disability, whether temporary or permanent. While negotiating with an insurance company or presenting evidence at trial, your attorney might bring in expert opinions as to the value of any injuries and the impact of any injuries on your future earning capacity.

What’s the motorcycle accident statute of limitations? Ordinarily the statute of limitations requires that a case be filed within four years of the accident. However, if the motorcyclist died, then a wrongful death case must be filed within two years.

Should I engage a motorcycle accident attorney? An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can guide you through the medical system and help you maintain accurate records, investigate the accident scene, collect relevant physical evidence and solidify witness testimony, and interact with police and insurance companies on your behalf. Although anyone can represent themselves, it is better to retain an attorney who understands the value of these kinds of injuries and knows how insurance companies operate. At the Swan Law Firm, you have skilled and savvy motorcycle accident attorneys with a reputation for solid claims and fierce representation.