Motorcycle Accidents Lawyer in Boynton, Florida
Many motorists fail to look out for motorcycles and often blame motorcyclists for accidents due to negative stigmas. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important to hire an attorney who has experience handling these types of cases. One of our partners at Aronberg Law is an experienced motorcyclist and holds a motorcycle endorsement license. We also handle all types of vehicle accident cases, including drunk driving collisions.
Motorcycle accidents often result in devastating injuries due to the lack of protection riders have compared to occupants of passenger vehicles. When a motorcyclist is injured due to another driver’s negligence, they deserve aggressive legal representation that understands both the law and the unique challenges faced by bikers on the road.
Understanding Motorcycle Accident Cases
Motorcycle accidents differ significantly from car accidents in several ways:
Severity of Injuries
Motorcyclists lack the protective shell of a vehicle, making them vulnerable to catastrophic injuries even in relatively minor collisions. Common injuries include road rash, broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and amputations.
Bias Against Motorcyclists
Many motorists fail to look out for motorcycles and often blame motorcyclists for accidents due to negative stigmas. Insurance adjusters and juries may harbor unfair biases against riders, assuming they were driving recklessly or were “asking for trouble” by riding a motorcycle.
Visibility Issues
The most common excuse drivers give after hitting a motorcyclist is “I didn’t see them.” While motorcycles are smaller than cars, the law requires all drivers to maintain proper lookout for all vehicles, including motorcycles.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Most motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligence of other drivers:
- Left-Turn Accidents: Drivers turning left in front of oncoming motorcycles, the most common type of motorcycle collision
- Lane Changes: Drivers failing to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Following Too Closely: Rear-end collisions when drivers don’t leave adequate space
- Opening Car Doors: “Dooring” accidents when parked car occupants open doors into traffic
- Road Hazards: Potholes, gravel, or debris that are minor annoyances for cars but deadly for motorcycles
- Distracted Driving: Texting, phone use, or other distractions preventing drivers from seeing motorcycles
- Drunk Driving: Impaired drivers who fail to notice or properly react to motorcycles
- Speeding: Excessive speed reducing reaction time to avoid motorcycles
Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
One of our partners is an experienced motorcyclist with endorsement license.
Catastrophic Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents frequently result in life-changing injuries:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Even with helmets, severe head trauma can occur
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Paralysis or permanent nerve damage
- Road Rash: Severe skin abrasions requiring skin grafts
- Broken Bones: Fractures to legs, arms, pelvis, or ribs
- Internal Injuries: Organ damage or internal bleeding
- Amputations: Loss of limbs from severe trauma
- Facial Injuries: Jaw fractures, dental damage, or facial scarring
- Burns: From contact with hot engine parts or fuel fires
- Wrongful Death: Fatal injuries claiming riders’ lives
Florida Motorcycle Laws
Understanding Florida’s motorcycle laws is critical to your case:
Helmet Requirements
Florida law requires riders under 21 to wear helmets. Riders 21 and older may ride without a helmet if they carry at least $10,000 in medical insurance coverage. However, failure to wear a helmet doesn’t bar recovery if another driver caused the accident.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting (riding between lanes of traffic) is illegal in Florida. However, if you were lane splitting when hit, you may still recover damages based on comparative negligence principles.
Motorcycle Endorsement
Florida requires motorcyclists to obtain an endorsement on their driver’s license. Lack of proper licensing doesn’t prevent recovery if another driver was at fault.
Insurance Requirements
Unlike car owners, Florida doesn’t require motorcyclists to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. This means medical bills may not be covered by your own insurance, making the at-fault driver’s liability insurance critical.
Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Victims
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, you may recover:
- Medical Expenses: Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and future medical needs
- Lost Wages: Income lost during recovery and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and emotional trauma
- Permanent Disability: Compensation for life-altering injuries
- Scarring and Disfigurement: Damages for permanent physical changes
- Property Damage: Motorcycle repairs or replacement, plus damaged gear
- Loss of Enjoyment: Inability to participate in activities, including riding
- Wrongful Death: Compensation for families who lost loved ones
Don’t Let Bias Against Bikers Hurt Your Case
We understand motorcycling and fight against unfair stereotypes.
Why You Need a Motorcycle-Experienced Attorney
It is important to hire an attorney who has experience handling these types of cases:
Understanding Motorcycle Dynamics
One of our partners at Aronberg Law is an experienced motorcyclist and holds a motorcycle endorsement license. This firsthand knowledge is invaluable when explaining motorcycle handling, visibility issues, and rider behavior to insurance companies and juries.
Combating Anti-Biker Bias
We know how to counter negative stereotypes and prejudices that many people harbor against motorcyclists. Our attorneys present evidence showing you were riding responsibly and that the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence.
Maximizing Damages
Motorcycle accident injuries tend to be more severe than car accident injuries. We ensure all future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and quality of life impacts are properly valued and compensated.
Expert Witnesses
We work with motorcycle accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and vocational experts who understand the unique aspects of motorcycle accidents.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
- Seek Medical Attention: Get examined immediately, even if you think you’re okay – adrenaline can mask injuries
- Call the Police: File an official accident report
- Document Everything: Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and your damaged motorcycle
- Gather Evidence: Get contact information from witnesses and the other driver
- Preserve Your Gear: Keep your helmet, jacket, and other gear as evidence
- Don’t Admit Fault: Avoid making statements that could be used against you
- Don’t Give Recorded Statements: Insurance adjusters will use your words against you
- Contact an Attorney: Speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer before accepting any settlement
Proving Fault in Motorcycle Accidents
Successfully proving your case requires strong evidence:
Police Reports
Official documentation of the accident, including officer observations and any citations issued.
Witness Testimony
Independent witnesses who saw the accident can counter the other driver’s version of events.
Accident Reconstruction
Experts can analyze skid marks, damage patterns, and physics to determine how the accident occurred.
Video Evidence
Dashcam footage, security cameras, or helmet cameras can provide irrefutable proof of fault.
Medical Records
Documentation linking your injuries directly to the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will not wearing a helmet hurt my case?
In Florida, helmet use by riders over 21 is optional if they have adequate insurance. While insurance companies may try to use lack of a helmet against you, it doesn’t bar recovery. An experienced attorney can argue that helmet use doesn’t prevent many injuries and focus on the other driver’s negligence.
What if the driver says they didn’t see me?
“I didn’t see them” is the most common excuse but it’s not a legal defense. All drivers have a duty to maintain proper lookout for all vehicles, including motorcycles. Failure to see you is negligence, not an excuse.
Can I recover if I don’t have motorcycle insurance?
Yes. You can still pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance regardless of whether you carry insurance. However, if you don’t have UM coverage, you may face challenges if the at-fault driver is uninsured.
What if I was speeding when the accident happened?
Even if you were speeding, you may still recover damages under Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still collect if you were less than 51% responsible for the accident.
How long does a motorcycle accident case take?
Timeline depends on injury severity and liability disputes. Simple cases with clear fault may settle in 6-12 months. Complex cases with catastrophic injuries or disputed liability can take 18-24 months or longer. We work efficiently while ensuring maximum compensation.
Why do I need an attorney who rides motorcycles?
An attorney who is an experienced motorcyclist understands the unique challenges bikers face on the road. One of our partners holds a motorcycle endorsement license and can explain motorcycle handling, visibility issues, and rider behavior to insurance companies and juries in ways that non-riding attorneys cannot.
Contact Aronberg Law Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident in Boynton Beach, it is important to hire an attorney who has experience handling these types of cases. At Aronberg Law, one of our partners is an experienced motorcyclist and holds a motorcycle endorsement license, giving us unique insight into motorcycle accident cases.
We understand that many motorists fail to look out for motorcycles and often blame motorcyclists for accidents due to negative stigmas. We fight against these unfair biases and work tirelessly to prove that the other driver’s negligence caused your injuries.
Our attorneys know how to maximize compensation for catastrophic motorcycle injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and wrongful death. We work with expert witnesses who understand motorcycle dynamics and can effectively present your case.
Visit our office at 1501 Corporate Drive, Suite 100 #A20, Boynton Beach, Florida 33426, or call for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Who Ride
Contact Aronberg Law today for expert motorcycle accident representation.