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Florida has more motorcycles on its roads than any other state in the country except California, with almost 573,000 registrations. Florida also has a significant number of motorcycle accidents, injuries, and fatalities. These accidents can have serious repercussions, and recovery can be extensive.
If you or a family member have been involved in a motorcycle crash, it is imperative that you seek a Stuart motorcycle accident lawyer right away. An experienced Stuart injury attorney can help you pursue a claim for necessary compensation.
Most accidents involving motorcycles are the fault of people at the controls of cars and trucks, according to research conducted by the South Florida Center for Urban Transportation. The principal reason is that drivers are not looking for motorcycles, so they do not see them. Florida’s motorcyclists were involved in 10,201 crashes in 2015, resulting in 8,231 injuries and 548 deaths, including 38 passengers, reports the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Agency.
The number of fatalities in that year was 72.73 percent higher than the previous year, and Florida has more motorcycle deaths than any other state. The number who were injured was only slightly higher than in 2014. A significant reason for motorcycle injuries and deaths is that riders are not wearing helmets and protective gear. Current Florida law requires protective strapped headgear that meets the Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard.
However, the law does not apply to people older than 21 years if they are covered by insurance providing a minimum of $10,000 in medical coverage.
When you pursue a civil lawsuit following a motorcycle accident, you do so with the intention of seeking financial compensation. Unlike a criminal case that can lead to jail time or fines, the result of a successful civil lawsuit is a monetary award based on the extent of your damages.
The severity of your injuries will likely play a major role in determining what your case is worth. It is important to understand that a settlement in a motorcycle accident case is made up of several different types of damages. These types of damages include:
Stuart motorcycle accident attorneys legally determine fault in personal injury cases by proving negligence. Florida uses the modified comparative negligence standard. In applying the modified comparative negligence doctrine, all parties involved in a personal injury case bear none, some, or all of the fault in causing the accident. If a plaintiff in a motorcycle accident case is 50% or less at fault for their injuries, their recovery will be reduced in proportion to their fault. If they are 51% or more at fault, they are barred from recovery entirely.
For example, a motorcyclist who is weaving in and out of traffic lanes and is hit by a car changing lanes will share some percentage of fault with the driver of the car. If the motorcyclist is determined to be 40 percent at fault, they are allowed to recover only 60 percent of the damages claimed.
Involvement in a motorcycle accident does not entitle you to compensation on its own. For you to recover a monetary award following a collision, your personal injury lawyer in Stuart must be able to establish that the defendant in your case was negligent. To be successful in claiming damages, all four of the negligence elements must be proven. These are:
Negligence law allows certain defenses, and if one element is disproven, the case is dismissed.
No two motorcycle accident injury claims are exactly alike. These accidents have different facts, result in different injuries, and involve different parties. That said, when these cases result in litigation, they follow a similar process. Understanding this process could be useful when pursuing compensation for your own injuries.
Initiating a motorcycle accident lawsuit involves filing a complaint against the at-fault parties. This complaint is a legal document that spells out the nature of your injuries, identifies the at-fault party, and explains in general detail why they are at fault.
Once the complaint is filed, it must be served on all of the defendants in the case. This means providing the defendant with a copy of the lawsuit and formal notice that court proceedings have begun. All parties have a right to be notified of any legal action before it can move forward, so serving the lawsuit on the defendant in your case is required.
Once the defendant is served, they have the right to file an answer. This answer goes line-by-line with your complaint, either accepting or disputing the allegations made. If the other party fails to respond to your lawsuit, you win by default.
Once the initial pleadings are filed, the next step is a process known as discovery. Discovery involves both sides sharing the documents and evidence they intend to use at trial. This process can take months and involves different methods of sharing information. In addition to written discovery, you could also be required to sit for a deposition. A deposition is similar to a court hearing, but it is not before a judge. Instead, both attorneys can ask you questions under oath, related to the case.
If your injuries allow it, gathering evidence at the scene of the wreck will prove crucial to building a strong argument for negligence on the part of other parties. Evidence in a motorcycle accident case includes photos and videos of the crash scene, eyewitness reports, the police report, medical records, and more. Your attorney can help you gather cell phone records of the drivers involved, any nearby surveillance footage, and reports from professional accident reconstruction experts.
At any time in this process, both sides could come to terms on a settlement agreement, which would resolve the case without having to go to trial. Most motorcycle accident cases do end with a settlement, whereby the plaintiff is paid an agreed-upon amount of damages to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
In a relatively small number of instances, the defendant’s settlement offer is not acceptable to the plaintiff, and the case proceeds past discovery to trial preparation. There can be motions filed by both sides in the lead-up to trial that could shape what evidence is heard by the court. At trial, each side can call witnesses and offer evidence. A judge or jury will consider this evidence and determine which side is entitled to compensation.
Motorcycle accidents can happen under many different circumstances. Some of these collisions occur due to the same factors that lead to collisions involving larger motor vehicles. Other accidents result from circumstances that are unique to motorcycles. If you were injured in a crash through no fault of your own, you could be entitled to compensation regardless of the specific type of collision. Some common types of motorcycle accidents include:
There are countless ways for a motorcycle accident to result in a physical injury. While these vehicles are enjoyed for the freedom they provide, riding them is also known for resulting in serious injuries. Riders have little protection from impact, and a collision with a car or truck could be devastating. These accidents could result in two impacts: the initial impact with another vehicle, and a secondary impact when a rider strikes the ground.
One of the injuries that is frequently associated with motorcycle accidents is road rash. This injury occurs when a rider is thrown from their motorcycle. As the rider slides across the pavement, the friction leaves burn-like injuries across exposed skin. While common, road rash is not one of the most serious injuries related to motorcycle collisions. The other injuries from these accidents could have life-altering consequences. Some of the conditions commonly associated with motorcycle accidents include:
When injuries happen, it is important to seek medical care right away. This is true even if you are uncertain that your condition is serious. Motorcycle injuries can worsen over time, and your chances of a full recovery increase by seeking immediate medical care.
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Florida, you face a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit. The deadline that applies to your case is known as the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations exists in every state. However, the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit not only differs across jurisdictions, but also varies depending on the type of case you file. In Florida, the statute of limitations generally gives you two years to pursue your injury claim.
The two-year period that applies to your case begins to expire the day your accident occurs. If you do not file your case on time, you could face serious consequences in your personal injury case. Any time the statute of limitations is violated, the court will typically have little option but to dismiss the case with prejudice.
Dismissal with prejudice is the worst-case scenario for your lawsuit. Not only does it bring your lawsuit to an end, but it prevents you from ever pursuing the case again in the future. This is true even if the facts of the case are favorable to you. Given the important stakes, you have every reason to reach out to a qualified attorney to ensure your compliance with the statute of limitations.
If you or a loved one are involved in a motorcycle accident, you need to know and protect your legal rights. To do so, contact a Stuart motorcycle accident lawyer at Kogan & DiSalvo promptly to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
Your skilled attorney can explain the applicable law, advise you on the strength of your case, and aggressively represent your interest to achieve the compensation that you deserve. Contact us as soon as possible to learn how we can help.
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Average rating: 4.9
From the moment I googled injury lawyers, the first name that appeared was Kogan & DiSalvo. I’ve seeing them painted in the back of the cross many times instantly felt a sense of relief that all that right away. Boy am I glad I trusted my instincts. From the initial phone call that I made at the time of my injury I was guided over the phone what to do. It was almost like having a family and solo me through a rather traumatic situation. My attorney Ted DiSalvo has been amazing, however I did most of my correspondence with Amanda Hudson (she was like a big sister) guiding me and reassuring me an answering every question that I had throughout this long process.
Kogan and DiSalvo they treated me like family from day one. If you are ever in a position that you need a great injury firm that pays closer attention to you then your own family; Kogan & DiSalvo is who you need to call. They will make sure that you do not get shorchanged . They will get you the money that you deserve.
Lastly I know I sound like a broken record but Amanda Hudson was amazing “you rock Amanda” You made this a truly great experience..
My neighbor used Kogan & DiSalvo twice and had such a positive experience that after I was involved in a car accident she told me that I really should call them, so I did. After I filled out the form online someone called me within 3 minutes. She was very kind, compassionate and very sympathetic to my situation. From the beginning she let me know that she needed to speak with the attorney and find out some more info before she could say if they could even help me. The honesty from her was very appreciated. Although I’m not finished with my case I am very very happy with how things are going and even more so with the treatment I recieve from everyone I have dealt with. I am treated like a person, not a number, which is unfortunately very rare. They honestly do care and do truly want to help. I would highly recommend them to anyone who needs a personal injury attorney.
Kogan & disalvo are literally the best lawyers to ever work with ! They cared tremendously and always kept me in the loop with me and my daughter’s case. They fought hard to get us a great compensation in just under 9 months . I would recommend them to anyone thanks again yall rock!
Great firm great attorneys very punctual very kind and very helpful. Always willing to help 24/7 willing to answer any doubts or questions.
I am truly appreciative for what this firm has done for me. All I can say is from the bottom of my heart, thank you all and God bless. 🙏
Really nice and friendly people to work with
Samantha was extremely helpful and attentive to my case! Thank you so much for all your hard work and effort!
Samantha was amazing to work with, detailed me throughout every step of the process and was extremely helpful and extremely friendly throughout my entire case, I recommend her and this firm
Thank you (Paul!!)and the rest of the team By far the best experience ive had with a law firm they genuinely care about their client (Like family)and their well-being and they’re all about doing what’s best for the client they gave me their word and stood behind it with their actions in helping me settle my case.I would HIGHLY recommend Kogan&DiSalvo personal injury lawfirm To anyone lookin for top notch quality service, thank you guys so much i really appreciate the hard work you guys put in for me!
Very great and didn’t forget about us thank you so much
Client: Charles Seitter ; Stephanie , Samantha and Paul. Your goto personal injury attorneys and company.
Everyone was very professional and nice
Unfortunately I was involved in an accident, for which I didn’t see the need for an attorney. But I am happy I took the advice to get the help of the team at Kogan & Disalvo. They made sure my medical bills are paid.
Thank you
My wife and I were hit in the rear by an 18 wheeler, that was loaded with bricks. Fortunately we were able to walk away, but I sustained damage to my back and neck. I can’t thank this law firm enough for the advice they gave me. It took quite a while to finally settle the case. Tiffany did a great job preparing me for my disposition, and I was very pleased the way she handled the eventual arbitration.
Thank you Tiffany, and the entire staff for their professionalism. I have no hesitation in recommending them to others in need of legal advice.
I highly recommend hiring Kogan & DiSalvo! They worked very efficiently and diligently to settle my case. There were a few setbacks and delays but Amanda Hudson conquered them without hesitation! If I ever need an injury lawyer I will only trust Kogan & DiSalvo!
Brian Andino was an outstanding lawyer who, along with his hard-working team, handled my personal injury case with professionalism and care. I was injured in a parking lot that was not maintained properly, and Brian, supported by his diligent staff, helped me navigate a complicated legal process with ease. His team was always responsive, organized, and ensured that I stayed informed at every stage of the case.
Brian’s expertise was evident in the way he built a strong case, and his team’s attention to detail made a significant difference. Together, they fought hard to secure a fair settlement for my injuries, holding the negligent parties accountable. I always felt like Brian and his team genuinely cared about my recovery and well-being.
I highly recommend Brian Andino and his dedicated team to anyone in need of skilled, compassionate, and thorough legal representation.
We would like to thank the team at Kogan and DiSalvo and wish them all a wonderful Thanksgiving. When my wife and I were involved in a small crash in 2021, we met with Ted DiSalvo at the Boca Raton office. Ted was so helpful and made us feel like he really cared about us and took our case even though it was minor. In 2022, we were rear-ended by a commercial plumbing truck that caused major injuries to my wife and I. We naturally called Kogan and DiSalvo back. We knew that they would take care of us again. Tiffany Fanelli was assigned to our case, and, Wow! For over 2 years, we worked with the team at Kogan and DiSalvo. There were times that we had doubts about what our future looked like, but Tiffany always encouraged and reassured us that she was working hard to resolve this case. Recently, Tiffany put together the most impressive presentation we have ever seen in our professional careers and Tiffany won our case in a big way. We are so thankful for what Tiffany was able to accomplish. And equally grateful to the entire team at Kogan and DiSalvo. We highly recommend them if you have to deal with a similar situation. To everyone at Kogan and DiSalvo, we wish you a happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday season.
Our attorneys were very professional and efficient.
They communicated frequently and were very patient answering our questions and or concerns. In addition, they negotiated settlements with medical providers which reduced our expenses resulting in larger settlement proceeds.
In closing they did a fantastic job, and I would strongly recommend them.
Jessica and jay the best attorneys that can handle your case
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