Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys Covering the State of Florida

When a motorcyclist is involved in a collision they don’t have the benefit of being surrounded by a steel frame, airbags, or other automobile safety features. Even worse, insurance companies often stereotype bikers as being reckless simply for being bikers. No matter what the reason, a motorcyclist with years of experience, obeying traffic laws, driving defensively, and always staying on guard can still be involved in an accident.

Dolman Law Group represents motorcycle accident victims in Clearwater and throughout the state of Florida. If you or a loved one has suffered substantial personal injury after being involved in a motorcycle accident, make sure that your legal representation in experienced and knowledgeable.

Do Your Research and Get the Best Representation

There are plenty of attorneys out there touting themselves as the best option for your legal needs. Many motorcycle attorneys attempt to pass themselves off as fellow bikers, as though their status will qualify them to protect you when it matters most. More often than not, they are using their status as a marketing tool, rather than being genuine about their true character.

In the real world, you need to be concerned about your attorney’s credentials, their experience and their knowledge, and their ability to win your case. Basing your decision to hire a motorcycle personal injury attorney based on their claims to be bikers themselves will often end up backfiring when it comes to the court room.

Where the rubber meets the road is whether your legal representation is fighting for your best interests, and are willing and capable of handling your case. To find the lawyer who will best suit your needs, do your due diligence to find a law firm with the litigation experience to successfully win your personal injury claim. Consultation with a competent, skilled Clearwater motorcycle accident attorney is a critical first step when filing your claim.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

There are several cases in which circumstances align to create conditions that lead to motorcycle accidents. Inattentiveness by motorists is probably the most common, making it critical for every biker to stay alert in their surroundings and look out for danger. Knowing what to look out for is a great first step in mitigating dangerous circumstances.

Following is a list of reasons for vehicle collisions involving a motorcycle.

• Poor road conditions – rain, road work debris, snow or ice are among the most common
• Drunk drivers – these motorists can be identified by their driving habits, such as swerving or driving erratically
• Failure to check blind spots – motorists often assume there is nothing in their blind spot, creating a recipe for disaster
• Door accidents – when a driver opens their car door without check for oncoming traffic, they can impede a biker’s path of travel
• Overcompensating the front brake – when the front of the motorcycle stops too hard, the rider’s momentum can quickly throw them over their handle bars
• Lane splitting or white-lining – cutting between slower vehicles across lanes is extremely dangerous and often leads to disastrous results

Know the Laws and Drive Safely by Following these Tips

It is important for a biker to understand the Florida Statutes Governing Motorcycle Operation. Knowing the law and obeying all traffic laws is an important first step in preventing the worst from happening.

Here are a few more steps to take to prevent becoming the next victim of a motorcycle-involved-accident.

• ALWAYS wear a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) or Snell approved helmet. These helmets are tested for conditions identical to those of a motorcyclist. Check the product description and helmet labeling to insure your helmet is correctly rated and never wear a helmet that doesn’t have labeling.
• Look out for motorists and avoid their blind spots. Many drivers aren’t used to the presence of motorcycles. As a result, they aren’t conditioned to keep an eye out. That means you, the motorcycle rider, must keep an eye out for them.
• Make yourself more visible with reflective motorcycle safety gear. There are a number of options that will make you more visible and less likely to be ignored.

At Dolman Law Group we litigate aggressively with the objective of holding negligent motorists responsible for their carelessness. This negligence has a profound negative impact on motorcyclists who fall victim to a serious accident, which is why Dolman Law Group is passionate about representing the Tampa Bay biker community.

Common Motorcycle Collision Injuries

Victims of motorcycle accidents usually suffer from more than one type of injury. These injuries are often critical and many times result in a fatality. Some of the most common injuries are listed below, from least to most severe.

• Road Rash – when your body hits the ground at vehicle speeds, the pavement, dirt, gravel, or other surface types act like sand paper, causing bruises, abrasion, and cuts.
• Broken Bones – momentum is your enemy when you’re pitched through the air. A collision with other objects, vehicles, and the road can lead to numerous fractures and broken bones.
• Amputation – When injuries compromise the extremities the result is often a need to remove the limb. There are a disproportionate number of personal injury claims filed for amputation.
• Spinal Cord Injury – it’s common knowledge that a spinal injury can result in paralysis of the legs or arms and legs, and even death.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – Failure to wear the Snell and/or DOT safety helmet recommended above will most certainly result in head trauma from impact with your surroundings. These injuries are serious and can result in severe degradation of quality of life.
• Death – Another well-known fact is that many motorcyclists involved in a collision with another vehicle don’t see the other side. Many of the injuries described above ultimately lead to fatalities.

The Long Term Impacts of Motorcycle Injuries

In the event of a collision with another vehicle while operating your motorcycle, it is imperative that you find quality representation as soon as possible. When the accident happens, as far as you are able, you must make an effort to obtain statements from any witnesses, as well as preserve any evidence of the driver’s responsibility.

Planning for the long term starts with immediate representation. Some circumstances which arise following an accident are listed below.

• Loss of income due to time off work, or work preventing injuries
• Medical bills for emergency and continuing care
• Diminished quality of life, especially when injuries are serious
• Chronic pain as a result of injuries
• Mental impairment as a result of depression, stress, and similar factors
• Costs for medical equipment during and after rehabilitation
• Financial costs for replacement of your motorcycle
• Loss of consortium

With all of these conditions, defending yourself in court should be the last thing on your mind. That’s why it is so important to find the best legal representation that you can. At Dolman Law Group, we make every effort to recover the greatest settlement possible. Furthermore, we will negotiate with medical service providers to lower your bills, putting more money in your pocket, where it belongs.

For more information about Dolman Law Groups’ qualifications and knowledge in handling motorcycle accident related injuries, please turn your attention to our blog section where we routinely post articles regarding this fluid and rapidly evolving area of science and the law. We have built a strong reputation in the Tampa Bay area legal community for the aggressive and personal representation we offer to our clients.

At the Dolman Law Group, each client is provided the cell phone number and email address for their handling attorney. This fosters proper client communications that are generally not seen at the largest personal injury firms and the firm with the prolific advertising.

As Tampa Bay motorcycle accident lawyers, we regularly represent the interests of victims who have been treated unfairly by an insurance company. Whether you are the motorcycle rider or a motorist, Dolman Law Group, is committed to handling your injury claim and advancing the case into litigation if the insurance carrier refuses to evaluate the claim in a fair and prudent manner. Have you been injured as a result of a motorcycle accident contact Dolman Law Group, to speak with a Clearwater motorcycle accident attorney at (727) 451-6900.

The Dolman Law Group, is centrally located in Clearwater and we regularly represent motorcycle accident injury victims in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Pinellas Park, Largo, St. Petersburg Beach, Seminole, Treasure Island, Sand Key, Clearwater Beach, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Ozona, Dunedin, New Port Richey, Port Richey, Trinity, Bradenton and Sarasota.