West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer

Florida’s open roads appeal to many motorcycle riders, drawing them in with natural beauty, year-round sunshine, bike weeks, and other motorcycle events.

You have a right to enjoy a safe ride on Florida roads, but unfortunately, hundreds of motorcyclists are injured each year due to negligent drivers and improperly maintained roadways.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, we can help. Our West Palm Beach, motorcycle accident lawyer, represents riders who suffered injury or lost a loved one due to careless drivers. We offer free consultations and will handle your case on a contingency fee, so you only pay if we win.

Don’t hesitate to contact our West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers at (561) 655-1990 for a free consultation.

Do I need an attorney for my motorcycle accident?

Injured bikers often feel they can handle a lawsuit independently, especially if the accident involved only one or two other drivers.

However, many insurance companies, police officers, and the general public are biased against motorcyclists. Insurance companies often unfairly deny motorcyclists’ claims, so if you were hurt in an accident, it’s in your best interest to hire an attorney who will fight for you, not the insurance company.

Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath have won countless personal injury claims for motorcycle riders like yourself. Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience, so you can rest assured that you’re getting the best attorneys for your case.

No matter if you’ve suffered an injury due to another rider’s negligence or fell victim to a pothole on the road, we have your back. Don’t hesitate to contact us at (561) 655-1990 for a free consultation.

When should I consider hiring a West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer?

Not every accident requires the help of an attorney. Sometimes, insurance companies offer fair settlements without legal intervention, but only occasionally.

If any of the following statements are true in your case, you should seriously consider hiring a West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer:

• It would help if you had legal advice before signing any documents
• Mediation fails, and the insurance company refuses to pay fair compensation
• The insurance company is trying to shift the blame onto you
• The police report falsely states that you are to blame for the accident
• The other party doesn’t have insurance
• You have severe injuries that require expensive medical treatments
• The insurance adjuster is not returning calls

Everyone should have an attorney on their side to ensure that their rights are protected. Clients have the best experience when they hire an attorney immediately after seeking medical attention for their injuries and before speaking with any insurance adjusters.

What are the steps to take after a motorcycle accident?

1. Seek medical attention

First and foremost, Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath encourage any rider in an accident to seek medical attention.

If you believe that your injuries may be severe and cause long-term damage or disability, don’t hesitate to get emergency service – even if the accident happened hours ago and you have left the scene.

If you aren’t seriously injured, call the police at the accident scene first. The responding officer will do a rudimentary assessment of your injuries to help you determine if an ambulance is needed.

2. Gathering information and evidence at the scene

Next, write down the names of any witnesses, get their contact information, and ask them to stick around until help arrives. This is also an excellent time to snap pictures with your phone. You should also photograph everything that could help your case. This includes the weather and road conditions and all damage to vehicles.

3. Contact a West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer

After a doctor has checked you out, you should call a motorcycle accident lawyer in West Palm Beach, FL. They can help you determine what to say to your insurance company to ensure your claim is approved as quickly as possible so you aren’t paying for out-of-pocket damages.

How can a West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer help?

Our West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer is here to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.

We’ll fight for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering damages, or any other financial reward you may be entitled to receive. Our experienced, determined attorneys have successfully represented hundreds of motorcycle accident victims in West Palm Beach and Florida.

Please reach out to us today to schedule a consultation with our team.

Elements of a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit

Our legal team will handle everything when you choose Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath to represent your case. You’ll always be aware of the situation and not have to spend countless hours working on your claim.

After a thorough investigation, your motorcycle accident lawyer will negotiate with any insurance companies involved to determine who was at fault for your accident. The case will settle when an agreement has been reached on liability and damages.

If our attorneys cannot reach an acceptable settlement for you, the case will proceed to trial. While this can be lengthy, it often results in a higher settlement.

It’s important to remember that we only get paid if we win your case. Our attorneys will never ask you to pay out of pocket for any costs or fees associated with your lawsuit.

What damages can I claim in a motorcycle accident lawsuit?

Economic

Economic damages can be precisely calculated and assigned a monetary value. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and any other out-of-pocket costs associated with the accident.

Non-economic

Non-economic damages are much harder to quantify. This includes compensation for your pain and suffering, loss of consortium, or any other personal injury that can’t be measured in dollars.

Punitive

Punitive damages are not the goal of every lawsuit, but they may become part of your claim if someone acted negligently or recklessly. The judge awards these damages at the discretion of the court during your trial.

Common motorcycle accident injuries

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

A traumatic brain injury can cause a wide range of problems in a motorcycle accident victim. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Convulsions or seizures
• Paralysis
• Memory loss or confusion
• Problems with balance
• Deafness or blindness
• Headaches

A mild form of traumatic brain injury is a concussion. This usually results in a brief loss of consciousness and some memory loss. Treatment largely depends on the severity of the damage.

A moderate to severe traumatic brain injury often has more long-term effects and requires extensive treatment. This could result in paralysis or coma, which can lead to permanent disabilities.

Road rash

Road rash, or road burn, is a common injury in motorcycle accidents. It often results when the bike is thrown to the ground and skids along the pavement.

Asphalt particles can work their way under your skin and cause infection. This type of road rash is excruciating and increases tetanus risk.

Treatments for road rash include:

• Physical therapy
• Medication
• Surgery

Surgery may be required in extreme cases when the infection becomes chronic (this requires wound debridement).

Broken bones

Broken bones in a motorcycle accident are not uncommon. They can occur when the rider impacts another vehicle or object or falls off their bike due to losing control.

Bones may break when they impact the ground or an object (such as a car bumper).

A broken bone can also occur due to bending or twisting forces, known as a closed fracture. This type of injury requires more immediate attention because of the risk of shock and internal bleeding.

Broken bones are usually treated with splints or casts to immobilize the area. In some cases, surgery may be required to reset the bones.

Internal damage

Internal damage is not always visible after a motorcycle accident. This type of injury can be life-threatening because internal bleeding may go undetected for hours or days before causing severe problems.

Internal bleeding can occur anywhere inside the body, but it’s most common in the chest or abdomen.

Treatment for internal injuries depends on the severity of the injury. Minor damage may need to be monitored closely over time. Severe cases often require surgery to stop the bleeding before organ failure occurs.

Contusions

Common injuries that can occur in a motorcycle accident are contusions or bruising. This type of injury is expected because the direct impact can injure tissues throughout your body.

Significant damage to internal organs is rare, with road rash, but bruises are very likely. The extent of these injuries depends on how fast you were going at impact and the damage to your motorcycle.

Soft tissue damage

Soft tissues are essential to your body because they connect, support, and surround other parts. These include tendons, ligaments, cartilage, fat tissue, blood vessels, and muscle tissue. When you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, soft tissues can be damaged or separated from each other. This can cause a lot of pain and discomfort.

Injuries to the tendons and ligaments are prevalent in motorcycle accidents, especially when you lose control of your bike. In some cases, this can be treated with surgery or physical therapy.

Neck and back injuries

The neck and back are connected to your spine, which can become damaged in a motorcycle accident.

A broken neck is a severe injury that usually leads to paralysis or death. Neck injuries of this severity do not heal on their own. If you suffer this type of injury in a motorcycle accident, then you will require immediate medical attention.

A broken neck can often be treated with a proper brace. The back is another common area of injury in motorcycle accidents. The force from the impact can cause damage to the bones, muscles, and ligaments throughout this area.

Injuries to the spine are severe because they can cause paralysis or severe pain for years after the initial accident. Injuries to the spine are usually treated with medication and physical therapy. In cases where the damage is severe, surgery may be needed.

What are the common causes of motorcycle accidents?

Rear-end motorcycle accident

A rear-end motorcycle accident occurs when another vehicle hits the rear end of your motorcycle.  This is one of the most common types of motorcycle accidents, which usually leads to severe injuries.

There are several reasons why this type of accident happens. The most common reason is that the other driver was not paying attention to the road while tailgating. When you brake, they fail to notice and hit the rear of your vehicle.

Unlike a car, which has a bumper, a motorcycle doesn’t have any rear protection. This can easily lead to severe damage that could cause other parts of your bike to fail.

Poor road conditions

Another common cause of motorcycle accidents is poor road conditions. These include potholes or debris on the road, poor weather conditions, or a lack of street lighting.

When driving your motorcycle on a clear day, it’s easier to identify hazardous road conditions ahead. But if visibility is low because of rain or fog, you can only see obstacles once they’re too close to avoid.

Poor road conditions, such as potholes, debris, and poor weather, can lead to severe injuries in motorcycle accidents, even for the most advanced rider.

Blind spots

A blind-spot motorcycle accident occurs when driving on the highway, and another vehicle cuts you off. Suddenly, you enter their blind spot without realizing it.

This can lead to them side-swiping your vehicle. In a car, this may not have a severe effect. But on a motorcycle, this impact can cause you to lose control of your car.

This type of accident is especially prevalent on highways, where large vehicles forget to pay attention to their blind spots after long stretches of driving. At these high speeds, a blind spot accident can be fatal for a motorcyclist.

Cutting off

A cutting-off motorcycle accident occurs when another vehicle tries to cut you off.  This usually leads to the other driver side-swiping your bike while passing by.

This type of accident is commonly caused by distracted driving or drunk drivers who are trying to switch lanes while failing to notice you.

If you’re hurt in a cutting-off motorcycle accident, you can suffer severe injuries because of the speed and force of impact.

Distracted driving

Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents and injuries.  This type of accident occurs whenever a driver is not giving their full attention to the road.

Motorcyclists must be vigilant constantly while driving, while car drivers are likelier to relax and let their guard down. However, when they do, they put the safety of others at risk. It only takes a moment for them to change their radio station and not pay attention to the road for them to cause a severe collision with a motorcyclist.

Driving under the influence

Drunk driving is one of the most dangerous behaviors that can happen on the road. A car accident can be fatal for a motorcyclist, especially if the at-fault driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Drivers who are under the influence can cause serious injuries because their reaction time is slowed. They can more easily lose control of their vehicle, leading to them crashing into you.

Our West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyers are ready to help

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident, our motorcycle accident lawyers in West Palm Beach, FL, may be able to help.

We are dedicated to helping victims of serious accidents get the compensation they deserve for pain and suffering.  We’ve helped countless clients and their families through this challenging time and want to help you, too.

Our firm has the resources and knowledge to build a case to hold at-fault parties accountable for their actions. Contact Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath today to get started.

Motorcycle accident FAQs

How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit?

Each state has its statute of limitations (time limit) for filing an injury claim. These time limits vary based on the type of case, where you were injured, and other factors.

In Florida, the statute of limitation for vehicular accidents is two years from the date of the accident. You have two years to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

How much does a motorcycle accident lawyer cost?

There is no set fee for representing clients in a motorcycle accident lawsuit. However,  the Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath contingency fee structure ensures that we only receive a payment if we win your lawsuit and recover your compensation.

This means that we won’t be able to hire us to represent you. We only get paid if you’re compensated for your injuries. We never ask for out-of-pocket payments.

What if I was partially to blame for my motorcycle accident?

It’s possible you were partially to blame for your accident if you weren’t wearing a helmet, paying attention to the road, not having the right insurance, or following traffic laws. This may affect how much compensation you can get in your lawsuit.

Florida is a comparative negligence state.  This means that you can still collect compensation even if you were partially to blame for your accident. Your compensation will be reduced depending on how much fault is attributed to you compared to the other parties involved in the collision.

What if a loved one died from a motorcycle accident?

If someone you love died in a motorcycle accident, Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath may be able to help. We can file a wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf so you can recover damages for emotional pain and suffering.