Motorcycle accidents can have devastating consequences in Milton, FL. Many cause serious injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardship. Suppose you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident in Milton, Florida. In that case, you deserve the help of an experienced Milton motorcycle accident lawyer as you fight to recover potential compensation.
The personal injury team at Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers can provide the support you need to secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us today online or call us now at (850) 790-7790 to schedule a free consultation with a Milton motorcycle accident attorney.
How Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers Can Help After A Motorcycle Accident in Milton, FL
We understand how overwhelming the aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be. At Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers, our experienced Milton personal injury lawyers bring over 75 years of combined experience to every case. For 44 years, we have helped victims of accidents, including those involving motorcycles, recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Our Milton motorcycle accident lawyers can handle all aspects of your case, including:
- Evaluating the cause of your motorcycle accident
- Investigating liability and identifying potentially negligent parties
- Collecting accident reports, surveillance footage, and other evidence
- Retaining expert witnesses to substantiate your damages
- Valuing your economic and non-economic losses
- Refuting allegations of contributory negligence
- Filing personal injury insurance claims and lawsuits
- Negotiating settlements for maximum compensation
- Representing you in court, if necessary
Schedule a free consultation with our Milton personal injury attorneys if you or a loved one has been injured.
How Many Motorcycle Accidents Occur Annually?
Motorcycle accidents are more common than many people realize. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), thousands of motorcyclists are injured or killed each year in traffic accidents. There were 6,218 motorcyclists killed in accidents in 2021, which accounted for 15 percent of all traffic fatalities that year. Motorcycle accidents occur at an alarming rate, even in Florida, and often result in serious injuries due to the lack of protection motorcyclists have compared to passengers in enclosed vehicles.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Milton, FL?
Motorcycle accidents can be attributed to several different factors. Many of these involve the negligence of others on our roadways.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents in Milton include:
- Distracted driving: Drivers using their phones or engaging in other distractions often fail to see motorcyclists.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces reaction times and increases the severity of collisions.
- Failure to yield: Drivers often fail to yield the right-of-way to motorcyclists, leading to dangerous crashes.
- Drunk driving: Drivers who are alcohol-impaired or under the influence of drugs are a significant cause of motorcycle accidents.
- Road hazards: Potholes, debris, and poorly maintained roads can pose serious risks to motorcyclists.
- Defective motorcycle parts: Mechanical failures or defective components can contribute to accidents.
A Milton motorcycle accident lawyer will thoroughly investigate the cause of your accident to determine whether negligence was involved. They can then fight to recover compensation for your injuries and other damages from these parties.
What is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth in Florida?
The value of your motorcycle accident case depends on various factors.
These typically include:
- The severity of your injuries
- The permeance of your injuries
- The impact of your injuries on your life
- The value of your economic and non-economic damages
- The extent of your property damage
- The strength of evidence supporting liability
Every motorcycle accident is different. Many factors will affect the value of your claim differently, but a Milton motorcycle accident lawyer can evaluate how these factors may influence how much your case is worth.
What Damages May I Recover for My Milton Motorcycle Accident?
Victims of motorcycle accidents in Florida may be entitled to different damages for the harm they suffer. Every case is different, but potential damages are generally classified into economic and non-economic damages. A Milton motorcycle lawyer can help you evaluate which damages you may be eligible to receive after an accident.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate you for direct financial losses after a motorcycle accident in Milton.
They are generally calculated by adding up bills and receipts for different accident-related expenses and may include:
- Medical expenses: Compensation for medical costs such as ambulance rides, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and other current or future medical treatments.
- Lost wages: Compensation for lost wages or diminished earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from working. This includes salary, wages, bonuses, and other compensation.
- Property damage: Compensation for damaged personal property that must be repaired or replaced.
- Other out-of-pocket expenses: Compensation for other quantifiable expenses related to your accident, such as transportation costs to travel to doctor’s appointments or modify your home.
Our Milton motorcycle accident lawyers will evaluate your case to determine the economic damages you may be entitled to.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for subjective losses after a motorcycle accident. These are harder to quantify because they do not come with bills or receipts, but they may be just as significant.
Non-economic damages that may be awarded after your motorcycle accident include:
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and suffering associated with your accident, injuries, and recovery.
- Emotional distress: Compensation for emotional distress and other psychological impacts of your accident, including anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation for injuries that prevent you from engaging in hobbies or daily activities as you did before the accident.
Our Milton motorcycle accident lawyers can help you prove your economic and non-economic damages after an accident. This may involve retaining expert witnesses to testify about your accident and injuries, including their impact on your life.
What is Negligence, and How Do I Prove It After My Milton Motorcycle Accident?
Negligence is the failure to act with reasonable care, resulting in harm to another person. It is a common legal theory underlying many motorcycle accident cases in Florida.
To prove negligence in your motorcycle accident case, you must demonstrate the following elements:
- Duty of care: You must show the defendant owed you a duty of care, such as driving safely, obeying traffic signals, and avoiding excessive speeds.
- Breach of duty: You must show the defendant failed to uphold this duty through negligent actions.
- Causation: You must show the breach of duty directly caused your injuries.
- Damages: You must show that you suffered measurable losses due to the accident, such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Our Milton motorcycle accident lawyers will gather evidence, consult experts, and build a strong case to improve your odds of proving negligence.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Partly Blamed for My Motorcycle Accident in Milton, Florida?
You can generally recover compensation even if you are being partly blamed for a motorcycle accident in Florida. This is because Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you are partially at fault for your accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault and barred completely if your share of fault exceeds 50 percent.
A Milton motorcycle accident lawyer will investigate your accident to determine whether you may be partly responsible. They will fight for fault to be fairly assigned amongst all parties involved in your crash to maximize your potential compensation.
How Long Do I Have To File A Lawsuit After A Motorcycle Accident in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of your accident. However, exceptions may apply, such as in cases involving minors under age 18 injured in the crash. Failing to file a lawsuit for injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident within two years will cause you to lose your right to seek compensation in court. This makes it important to act quickly.
A Milton motorcycle accident lawyer can help you file a potential personal injury lawsuit for damages after your crash. They can also advise on whether exceptions to the statute of limitations may apply to your case.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Milton Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
At Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers, our Milton motorcycle accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront, and we only collect a fee if we successfully recover compensation for you. Our fee is a fixed percentage of the compensation we recover on your behalf through settlement or trial.
This arrangement allows victims of motorcycle accidents to work with experienced personal injuries at no upfront cost, which is beneficial when finances might be tight after an accident due to medical bills and other expenses.
Contact Our Milton Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Milton, Florida, you do not have to wait to seek help. The Milton motorcycle accident lawyers at Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers can provide you with the legal guidance and support you need to secure the compensation you deserve.
Our team has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for motorcycle accident victims facing medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Schedule a free consultation today if you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident.