The beautiful weather we experience in St. Petersburg for much of the year may be very appealing to motorcyclists. Beautiful scenery and open roads are often a welcoming sight for motorcycle drivers. Unfortunately, a pleasant drive may turn to disaster if you are involved in a motorcycle accident, if this happens, you should call an experienced personal injury attorney to guide you through the recovery process of your motorcycle accident case.
A collision with another vehicle could leave you facing serious injuries. In this situation, you could be entitled to recover compensation for your losses. A St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer from Distasio Law Firm may be able to help you pursue damages to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and more. At Distasio Law Firm, we provide free consultations for those who have been injured in motorcycle crashes.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Florida
Driving a motorcycle may be an exciting and freeing experience. However, it may also be very dangerous. There are many motorcycle accidents every year in Florida. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in 2021, Florida had:
- 8,637 motorcycle crashes
- 592 motorcycle fatalities
- 17.1% of all deaths from auto crashes involve motorcycle accidents, but are only 2.5% of total crashes in Florida.
Many motorcycle accidents are severe because motorcyclists do not have the same degree of protection as individuals driving in cars or trucks. There are a number of single-vehicle motorcycle crashes every year. However, in many cases, motorcycle drivers are struck by other vehicles. These accidents are often caused by careless or reckless motorists who did not see the motorcyclists or did not drive with care for anyone else on the road.
You may be entitled to seek compensation for your losses if you were hurt in a motorcycle collision caused by another driver in St. Petersburg, FL. At Distasio Law Firm, our motorcycle accident attorneys can help you understand what caused your crash and who may be legally responsible. We build strong claims for our clients and seek fair and just compensation in these cases.
Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Other Drivers in St. Petersburg
Other drivers may be responsible for a motorcycle accident due to their negligent behavior. In some cases, drivers operating a car or a truck do not see a motorcycle. This may occur if the driver is not paying attention or if they are using a handheld mobile device. We often see motorcycle accidents when other drivers:
- Turn into the path of a motorcycle
- Rear-end motorcyclists at stop signs or stop lights
- Drift into the path of a motorcycle while changing lanes
- Open their door into the street after parking
- Look but fail to see a motorcyclist nearby
- Run into the side of a motorcycle while crossing an intersection
As we mentioned, sometimes these accidents occur because other drivers are not paying attention. Distraction is a serious problem on the roads around St. Petersburg. Drivers may be distracted if they are:
- Talking or texting on a cell phone
- Eating or drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Adjusting the radio
- Distracted by events or their thoughts
Other drivers may also strike a motorcyclist if they are driving while fatigued or under the influence of alcohol. Drivers who are speeding or driving aggressively may cause motorcycle accidents in St. Petersburg. Many factors can contribute to a crash and cause serious injuries.
If you were in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you may be able to get compensation for your losses. Our motorcycle accident lawyer can prove your claim, seek a fair payout, and build a case against the driver who caused your injuries, expenses, and losses.
Investigating a Motorcycle Accident in St. Petersburg
You should be aware that you may not be automatically awarded damages after a motorcycle accident in Florida. You may need to pursue compensation from an insurance company in settlement negotiations or by filing a personal injury lawsuit. In fact, if the other driver’s insurer makes an offer for compensation following an accident, you should not accept until you have discussed your options with an attorney on our team.
A well-practiced St. Petersburg motorcycle wreck lawyer from Distasio Law Firm may be able to represent you and investigate your case. This could allow our firm to:
- Interview eyewitnesses to the accident
- Visit the scene of the collision for a survey
- Go over police reports for the wreck
- Work with collision experts and conduct an accident reconstruction
- Analyze physical evidence, such as the damage to each vehicle
- Collect evidence to document injuries and costs incurred
To learn more about our services and to discuss your case with a member of our team, call Distasio Law Firm today. A free, no-obligation consultation is available to St. Petersburg motorcycle accident victims. We also represent injured parties based on contingency. We do not ask for any money up front. We are paid through the compensation we recover in these cases, not out of our clients’ pockets.
Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents in St. Petersburg
As previously mentioned, motorcyclists are often exposed to a high degree of damage when they are struck by another vehicle. Their body could impact the other car, the ground, trees, medians, barricades, guardrails, and many other surfaces. This is one reason why motorcyclists have such a high risk of suffering injuries. If you are struck by a larger vehicle, you could suffer serious injuries while the vehicle driver walks away relatively unharmed.
Some common injuries associated with motorcycle accidents include:
- Head and brain injuries, including severe traumatic brain injuries
- Neck, spinal cord, and back injuries
- Road rash, abrasions, and lacerations
- Broken bones and sprains
- Internal injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Wrongful death (motorcyclist was killed)
Seek Medical Care As Soon As Possible After a Motorcycle Crash
You should seek medical care as quickly as possible after your motorcycle accident. In some cases, you may require emergency medical care. If the paramedics on the scene believe it is necessary to take you to a nearby trauma unit or another emergency department, you should follow their recommendations. The insurance claim should cover these costs. Still, getting immediate care for any emergent injuries should be your priority after a crash.
If you get treatment right away, it may also help prove that your injuries were caused by the accident. This is important because it prevents the insurer from trying to claim your injuries occurred in some other way or downplaying the seriousness of your injuries after a motorcycle crash.
Compensation for a St. Petersburg Motorcycle Injury Claims
Motorcyclists in St. Petersburg may be eligible to receive compensation for their losses after a collision. You may be able to secure compensation to cover your medical expenses. This financial recovery includes your emergency medical care as well as:
- Medical Bills
- Surgeries and other invasive medical procedures
- Medication costs for prescription drugs
- Your stay in the hospital
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
Additionally, you may be eligible to receive other forms of compensation after a motorcycle accident in Florida. This could include:
- The costs of repairing your motorcycle
- The wages you lost while recovering from your injuries
- Your pain and suffering and mental anguish
If you lost your loved one to their motorcycle accident injuries, you and your family could pursue wrongful death action. Damages you can claim may include funeral and burial expenses, final medical care costs, and loss of income or inheritance.
Evidence Will Help Us Negotiate a Settlement for You
When our skilled motorcycle accident lawyers investigate a wreck in St. Petersburg, we use this time to gather evidence to prove our client’s damages and losses, as well. We collect medical records, work with doctors to understand ongoing and future care needs, determine lost wages, and take other steps to value the case appropriately. Only after taking these steps can we determine how much you need to recover to ensure you can pay your bills and cover your related costs.
When a diligent St. Petersburg motorcycle crash claim lawyer from Distasio Law Firm represents you, we can negotiate with the responsible party’s insurance company for compensation on your behalf. We use the value we determined for your accident case as a guide through this process. If the insurance company is not willing to make you a fair settlement offer, we may be able to take your case to trial.
Our team will not hesitate to sue and go to trial if your case calls for it at any time. Sometimes, this is the best route for a case. Most settle outside of court, though.
Contact a St. Petersburg Motorcycle Accident Attorney Now
If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash, a St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer from Distasio Law Firm can help you with free legal advice. Do not delay if you are considering legal action for your motorcycle accident injuries. Per Florida Statute § 95.11, a two-year statute of limitations, or legal time limit, may pertain to your ability to recover compensation in a personal injury lawsuit in Florida. Alternatively, you generally have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit if your loved one passed away from the motorcycle accident.
For a free consultation on your case, call Distasio Law Firm today.
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