St. Petersburg Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Florida has one of the highest numbers of registered motorcycles in the United States, likely due to the climate and amazing views that can be enjoyed while on the open road. However, having so many motorcyclists also increases the risks of motorcycle crashes. Motorcyclists have very little protection when they crash, so they can be left with extremely severe injuries.

Protecting the Rights of Injured Motorcyclists in Florida

Because motorcyclists are so vulnerable in a crash, the impact of hitting a car, the ground, or another object can result in life-changing injuries. Some of the common injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents include: 

• Facial fractures
• Jaw fractures
• Dental injuries
• Fractured skull
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Spinal cord injury (SCI)
• Broken limbs, ribs, or pelvis
• Crushed or shattered bones
• Internal bleeding
• Internal organ injury

Motorcyclists often require emergency transportation to the hospital and emergency trauma care to assess and stabilize their condition as soon as possible. The emergency department is often only the first stop in a long course of medical treatment. Accident victims can require the following and more as part of the treatment:

• Time in the intensive care unit (ICU)
• Hospitalization
• Surgical procedures
• Medical equipment
• Medications
• Home health care
• Assisted living facilities
• Rehabilitative and physical therapy

All of these treatments needs can result in thousands and thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Even if your injuries do not require prolonged hospitalization or long-term care, you will still likely have costly medical bills from doctor and specialist visits, physical therapy, and more.

To add to your financial concerns following an accident, many injuries require that you stay home from work while you recover. In some cases, a long-term injury can prevent you from performing your job duties for an extended period of time. This can result in a significant amount of lost earnings, which can affect your entire household.

Liability in St. Petersburg Motorcycle Crashes

The good news for injured motorcyclists is that the law provides legal recourse if a crash was another party’s fault. You can file a claim for personal injury and can seek compensation for all of your accident-related losses, including medical bills and lost income, as well as intangible losses like pain and suffering or permanent disability. In order to have a successful claim, you must prove that the party acted in a negligent manner to cause the crash.

Different parties can be negligent and can be held liable for your motorcycle accident injuries, including the following:

Drivers – Many collisions happen because another vehicle crashes into your motorcycle due to the driver’s negligence. Driver negligence can include distracted driving, drunk driving, aggressive driving, violating traffic laws, running red lights, dangerous lane changes, and any other act that puts motorcyclists in danger.

Motorcycle manufacturers – Some motorcyclists crash because a part of their bike suddenly malfunctions. If the manufacturers sold a defective part that led to a crash, the company may be found negligent and may be held responsible. Defective parts that can cause crashes include brakes, tires, and steering.

Government entities – Road hazards are particularly dangerous for motorcyclists, as a pothole, large crack in the pavement, or gravel on the road can all cause you to lose control. The government is responsible for maintaining roads and if the local government fails to keep roads hazard-free, you can seek compensation from that entity.

Discuss Your Rights and Options with Our Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

The experienced motorcycle accident attorneys of Berkowitz & Myer have helped many injury victims recover for their losses after an accident. We represent clients in and around St. Petersburg, so please call today at 727-344-0123.