Practice Areas Motor Vehicle Accidents Motorcycle Accidents

How a Boca Raton Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You

If riding a motorcycle is more a way of life than a mode of transportation for you, then you are in good company. For many people, the thrill of cruising the open road on a motorcycle is one of life’s greatest joys. This is particularly true in South Florida, where you can enjoy beautiful rides along the beach. Unfortunately, our Boca Raton motorcycle accident lawyer knows that riding a motorcycle is also much more dangerous than driving a car.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident or any motor vehicle accident, you may be facing serious financial hardships associated with costly medical bills, ongoing rehabilitation, and lost wages from missed work while you recover. But you don’t have to go through this difficult time alone. Michael K. Grife will focus all of his energy on recovering the compensation you deserve so that you can focus your energy on recovering from your injuries.

Proving Negligence in Motorcycle Accident Cases

Motorcycle accidents are often more complex than other motor vehicle accident claims. In many instances, there is no collision with another vehicle, even though an aggressive driver who failed to respect your right of way caused you to swerve to avoid an accident. These “near misses” caused by another driver’s negligence can still result in a devastating crash on your motorcycle. This can make proving negligence very challenging.

In his practice as a motorcycle accident lawyer in Boca Raton, Mr. Grife works with a team of accident reconstruction experts and biomechanical engineers who will investigate your case to determine the cause of your accident. Some of the most common negligent actions resulting in a motorcycle accident may include:

• Failing to yield the right of way to a motorcycle
• Cutting in front of a motorcycle
• Failing to check for a motorcycle before making a lane change
• Entering an intersection into the path of a motorcycle

With Mr. Grife’s help, you can hold the negligent driver responsible for these actions and recover the compensation you deserve.

Florida’s Motorcycle Laws

Generally speaking, motorcycle riders are obligated to follow all rules of the road that apply to any other motor vehicle. That said, Florida has specific laws that govern the operation of motorcycles on public roadways similar to those in other states. Violations of these laws can complicate your case, but do not necessarily mean that you do not have a claim. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident and were issued a citation, you should discuss your case with a Boca Raton motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. 

Florida’s Helmet Laws

Unlike many other states, Florida does not require every motorcycle rider to wear a helmet. Florida’s helmet laws require the following:

• Riders under the age of 21 must wear a helmet when riding their motorcycle. 
• Riders 21 and older have the option of either (1) wearing a helmet or (2) carrying insurance that provides at least $10,000 in medical coverage. 

Lane Splitting 

“Lane splitting,” i.e. driving between two lanes of traffic, is illegal in Florida

Lane Use By Motorcyclists 

Motorcycle riders are entitled to the use of the entire lane. Two motorcycle riders may ride side-by-side in a single lane.

Headsets 

Motorcycle riders must keep at least one ear free to hear traffic sounds at all times. As a result, a single Bluetooth earpiece is permissible, but wearing earbuds in both ears is illegal.

Maintenance

Florida law requires riders to maintain their motorcycles in good working order. For example, your brakes must be in good working order and you must have a working horn. 

License Plates

Your license plate must be secure and able to be read at all times. Riders under the age of 21 may register their motorcycle in their name but must display special plates that identify the motorcycle as being owned and operated by someone under the age of 21. 

Insurance

Florida is a “no-fault” insurance state, which means that all drivers must carry insurance that covers their injuries in the event of an accident. However, Florida does not require motorcycle riders to carry “no-fault” insurance. As a result, many bikers are surprised to discover that their only option to receive compensation is to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver. 

It is also important to note that while motorcyclists are not required to carry no-fault insurance, they must still carry liability insurance to cover any losses they may cause to other parties. Failure to carry liability insurance could result in the suspension of your license. 

A Boca Raton Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You – Even If You Were Partially at Fault 

If you are injured in an accident, the other driver or their insurance company may try to claim that your negligence contributed to the accident as evidenced by a violation of one of these laws. However, Florida is a comparative negligence state. This means that you are entitled to recover compensation even if you were partially at fault in causing the accident. 

It is not uncommon for drivers and motorcycle riders to disagree over who caused the accident. However, in order to prevail, you will need to prove your case. In this situation, the best thing you can do is contact a Boca Raton motorcycle accident lawyer to discuss what compensation you may be entitled to recover. Your attorney can gather the evidence you need to support your claim for compensation.

Motorcycle Injuries Are Often Catastrophic

Due to the lack of protection provided by a motorcycle, the injuries sustained by riders are often much more severe than injuries suffered in other types of motor vehicle accidents. Our Boca Raton motorcycle accident attorneys have seen that it is common to develop a catastrophic injury that may be life-altering or require long-term care.

Common motorcycle accident injuries include:

• Brain Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Broken Bones
• Lacerations
• Disfigurement
• Road Rash
• Amputations

Mr. Grife understands the serious nature of these injuries. He can help you secure the important medical treatments you need, and he will evaluate every aspect of your injury in order to maximize your compensation.

If You Have Questions, a Boca Raton Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Provide Answers

Is there a bias against motorcycle riders?

Some people believe that insurance companies and courts are biased against motorcycle riders, believing that they are reckless drivers who are often responsible for their own accidents. Whether or not this is true, it is important to remember that you need to prove your case, even when submitting your claim to the insurance company. A Boca Raton motorcycle accident lawyer can provide valuable guidance by identifying the cause of the accident and then gathering the evidence you need to build a compelling case. 

What damages am I entitled to recover after a motorcycle accident?

If you can prove that the other driver is at fault for causing the accident that led to your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for the following: 

• Your current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages as a result of your injuries
• The pain and suffering caused by your accident

The value of your case will depend largely on the severity of your injuries, especially if you suffer any temporary or permanent disability. A Boca Raton motorcycle accident lawyer can provide you with an estimate of what your case may be worth at your initial consultation. 

The driver says they aren’t at fault because they didn’t see me. Do I have a claim?

While motorcycles may be less visible than other vehicles on the road, drivers have a legal duty to pay full attention and watch for all others on the road, including bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcycle riders. Claiming that they “just didn’t see you” is a common excuse that does not relieve the driver of their obligation to avoid accidents. 

How will my own negligence affect my claim?

Florida law allows injured parties to recover compensation even if they were partially at fault in causing the accident. In other words, you can still pursue a claim. If you were negligent in some way, then your compensation is reduced on a percentage basis by the amount that your negligence contributed to the accident. For example, if it is determined that your negligence contributed 30% to causing the accident, then your compensation would be reduced by that amount. 

These cases are complicated and we should note that the other party must prove that you were negligent and that your negligence contributed to the accident. If you believe this may be an issue in our case, we recommend that you work with a Boca Raton motorcycle accident lawyer. 

Speak with a Boca Raton Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver, please contact The Grife Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation. We serve clients in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach, and throughout Florida. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not need to pay us unless we get compensation for you. Contact a motorcycle accident attorney in Boca Raton today.