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Motorcycle accidents can happen from negligence as simple as opening a door to more difficult situations involving drunk drivers – and all can result in life-changing brain injuries, internal damage, limb function, and more. Motorcyclists are the most vulnerable travelers on the road, so it’s important to have a legal expert to advocate on your behalf in case of a serious accident.
From pressing medical bills and long-term health care to anguish and future limitations on your career, we work with you to handle a gauntlet that includes frequently-uncooperative insurance companies and the negligent party themselves.
Hunter’s motorcycle injury lawyers will work with you to craft a legal strategy based on the unique details of your case. We’ll make sure that you receive the compensation you deserve so you can focus on rebuilding your life.
Your immediate safety should be your first concern after an accident. Contact emergency services and allow them to give you any care you need. After you’ve been cleared by emergency responders, there are some steps you can take that will help your personal injury lawyer if you choose to file a personal injury suit.
The actions you choose to take after a motorcycle accident can have a significant impact on your ability to maximize the recovery that you are entitled to receive for your injuries. Tampa motorcycle accident attorneys understand how taking specific actions can either help or hurt potential jury verdicts or insurance claim cash settlements.
Do not argue with the other driver after the accident about fault and do not apologize for anything, regardless of whose fault it appears to be. All information gathered by following four simple steps can provide you with useful evidence for your Tampa motorcycle accident claim.
Collect evidence: If you are not hospitalized, take as many photos of the crash scene as you can with your phone. Attempt to capture multiple angles of both your motorcycle and the vehicle or object that was part of the collision. If there are any witnesses, ask for contact information and testimony. If you are in the hospital, ask a friend to try to find the site and take some photos of the crash while it’s still fresh. Make sure that you obtain a copy of any police reports.
Contact your insurance company: Contact your insurance company and inform them of the accident. Provide them with any information they request, but don’t claim responsibility for the accident. Even if you are aware that you made mistakes, the same may be true of other drivers involved in the accident.
Schedule a full medical evaluation: A full medical evaluation may be necessary to even be aware of all of the physical consequences of an accident. You may have fractures you cannot yet feel, or experiencing brain swelling or other soft tissue damage.
Contact an attorney as soon as possible: After you have finished collecting evidence and seeing to your immediate medical needs, you should contact a lawyer as quickly as possible. Your Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer will want to collect their own evidence, and contacting them quickly gives them the best opportunity to find it fresh.
The most successful personal injury suits are those that can plainly show that the other party was negligent. Negligence isn’t always easy to prove, but many motorcycle accident cases are the result of poor attention to the road or other obvious examples of careless behavior. If any of the following situations were involved in your accident, you may have a very strong personal injury case.
Aggressive Driving Behavior: Aggressive motorists are dangerous to everyone on the road, but they are particularly dangerous to motorcyclists. When aggressive driving behavior results in an accident, it can mean catastrophic injuries. Aggressive driving can be demonstrated with roadside/dashboard cameras and witness testimony. When it can be demonstrated, it can make your case much easier.
Cell Phone Use: Cell phone use and other distracted behaviors can easily result in collisions with motorcycles. If the distraction can be proved, through social media/call records or eyewitnesses, proving negligence can be a simple matter.
Poor Respect for Road Conditions: Even driving that isn’t exactly reckless can be inappropriate for certain road or weather conditions. In these situations, even behavior as typical as going slightly above the speed limit can be used to show negligence.
Improper Turning: Motorcyclists are frequently injured on the road when motorists make bad turns. Motorcycles are harder to spot from a distance than cars, and they can be missed by in a quick scan of the road before making a turn. However, just because motorcycles are smaller than cars doesn’t mean they have any less of a right to the road. Motorists are required to watch for everyone, and failing to do so can show negligence.
More than one party can be found to be at fault in an accident. Sometimes, a lawyer for the other side may attempt to use examples of your own negligence to reduce the total amount of the claim. There are some ways that you can protect yourself from these accusations.
First, wear all recommended safety gear, including your helmet. It’s considered reckless to ride without a helmet, and failing to wear one can complicate claims that involve head and neck injuries. After all, if you wouldn’t take basic measures to protect yourself, it’s harder to find others at fault for an injury. Make sure that you pay special attention to all road signs and speed limits. Even if you were not at fault, you can be found partially so if you don’t obey posted speeds.
If you have been hurt in a Tampa motorcycle accident due to another driver’s carelessness or recklessness, you may be able to recover monetary compensation for damages to yourself and your property.
You can reach us at any time day or night, by calling 813-287-2227
If you need legal assistance with a personal injury or a family law issue, contact our team of qualified attorneys today.