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The fine weather, scenic roads and friendly culture of St. Lucie County make the area a haven for motorcycle riders. Reckless or negligent motorists can still cause serious accidents, however.
A Port St. Lucie motorcycle accident lawyer could provide valuable legal assistance if you are suffering the effects of a motorcycle accident. Our experienced attorneys at Kogan & DiSalvo can be of assistance long before filing an actual lawsuit—call today to schedule a free consultation and learn if you may be eligible for financial compensation.
Motorcyclists do not have the same physical protection as other drivers, and accidents that may barely affect other motorists could have devastating effects on the driver or passenger of a motorcycle. Injuries are often severe and may have long-lasting effects. Wary of high medical costs, insurance companies may try to take advantage of injured riders by offering low settlement amounts or trying to trick a rider into admitting liability.
Our injury attorneys in St. Lucie County could provide advice on how to deal with insurance companies without compromising a claim and also evaluate the reasonable monetary amounts for damages like medical care and lost wages to determine whether a settlement provides fair compensation.
Car accident cases are often handled by a driver’s own insurance company because of Florida’s no-fault insurance rules. No-fault laws do not apply to motorcycles, however, meaning even when drivers have personal injury protection insurance, that insurance generally will not cover the complainant’s injuries.
Instead, state law allows injured motorcyclists to seek recovery in a personal injury lawsuit directly against the responsible parties. Liable entities could include other drivers, manufacturers of defective equipment, or persons who created dangerous conditions on the roads. For more information about establishing liability, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer in Port St. Lucie.
The Florida statute of limitations establishes a deadline for filing lawsuits for negligence, including negligent driving or other practices that cause a motorcycle accident. In most situations, a suit must be filed within two years of the date of the accident.
Florida’s modified comparative fault law limits, and in some cases prevents, lawsuits in situations where the injured person’s own conduct contributed to their injury. Injured parties may have their damages reduced proportionately to their relative fault as long as they are 50% or less at fault. If they are 51% or more at fault, they are barred from recovery entirely. Motorbike accident lawyers in Port St. Lucie could review a case and determine if a motorcyclist may be partially at fault for their injuries.
For instance, if a motorcyclist is found to be 25 percent at fault in an accident for riding too close to the edge of a lane, and another motorist is held to be 75 percent at fault, the motorcyclist may still recover damages from the other driver, but the amount will be reduced by 25 perfect. If, however, the plaintiff is found to be 75% at fault, they will be barred from recovery entirely.
Motorcycles are unique vehicles that operate differently than cars and trucks—motorcycle riders must apply for separate licenses, follow different traffic laws, and expose themselves to significant physical risk. Each of these distinctions can complicate a motorcycle accident case.
When you work with our Florida motorcycle accident lawyers, we could help you recover compensation and move forward with your life. You may be entitled to money for medical needs, lost income, and lost wages. To learn what may be possible in your case, call now and schedule a free consultation.
If you are injured and unable to come to us,
our attorney will come to you - there is no charge for us to do so.