At Dolman Law Group, we focus our practice on helping people recover compensation for their medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost quality of life, lost income, and other losses that preventable accidents caused them. Our Doral motorcycle accident lawyers offer free consultations and have a no recovery, no fee promise, meaning that we will not collect any legal fees from you unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
In Doral, motorcycle accidents occur frequently. This is because Doral, Florida has nearly perfect motorcycling weather all 12 months of the year. It is also home to some of the most dangerous streets, including the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, NW 41st Street, SR 826, and the Florida Turnpike. Furthermore, Doral is near the Miami International Airport. This results in traffic virtually all hours of the day and night as tourists and residents head in and out of Miami.
Nearly 1,000 motorcycle accidents occur every year in Doral and throughout Miami-Dade County.
These motorcycle accidents injure hundreds of people in Doral every year, often through no fault of their own. Because motorcyclists are completely exposed to the world around them, they can sustain extremely serious injuries in accidents. Broken bones, facial fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries are not uncommon—leaving many victims dealing with the aftermath of their accidents for months or even years.
Unfortunately, the law cannot turn back the clock or heal a person's injuries. It can (and does), however, compensate people for the losses they sustained as a result of someone else's negligence.
To schedule a consultation with one of our Doral motorcycle accident lawyers, call our office today at (305) 930-7688 or send us an email through our online contact form.
Our Doral Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Why Choose Us?
At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, we believe that bigger is not always better. What makes our law firm work best is the personalized attention we give our clients from the very start. While our firm is a nationally recognized law firm, what we are most proud of is our dedication to our clients. We work tirelessly to help right the wrongs done to injured accident victims, and we will never settle for less than what we believe your case is worth.
When you choose one of our Doral motorcycle accident lawyers to represent you, you will receive the cell phone number of the handling lawyer and the managing partner of the law firm. We want you to be a part of the team, and we believe that by working together, we can achieve successful results. Take a look at some of our most notable motorcycle accident cases:
- $1.4 million for a motorcyclist who suffered serious injuries
- $1 million for a motorcyclist who suffered a TBI
- $415,000 for a motorcyclist who needed cervical fusion after a crash
- $320,000 for a motorcyclist who suffered a back injury after an accident
While past success never guarantees future results, we can work with you and your medical team to achieve maximum compensation for your injuries after a motorcycle crash.
We are also local Doral motorcycle accident lawyers. That means we know the insurance companies, freeways, intersections, judges, and courts that will be a part of your case. With an office located conveniently at 8400 NW 36th Street in Doral, Florida, we are here whenever you need us most. We are just a few miles from the Miami International Airport and Doral Central Park. We can come to you at your home, your hospital room, or wherever you prefer. We offer FREE initial consultations and reviews, so you can seek justice after a motorcycle accident in Doral.
To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our lawyers, call Dolman Law Group today at (305) 930-7688.
Why You Need a Doral Motorcycle Accident Attorney
The sad truth is that many motorcycle accident cases are contested. Insurance companies rarely want to pay motorcyclists what they need to recover. Even worse, they hold unfair biases against motorcyclists that can significantly impact your case and the amount of compensation you receive. For these reasons alone, it is important to hire an experienced Doral motorcycle accident attorney.
Many motorcycle accident victims wonder whether they need to retain an attorney, especially in situations in which the other party or parties do not contest liability and the insurance company seems ready to settle. The complicated nature of personal injury law, however, could lead you to significantly undervalue the actual value of your case.
A Doral personal injury lawyer will fully evaluate all of your losses, including noneconomic losses—like pain and suffering and lost quality of life—which are hard to calculate. In addition, should the other parties contest your case, you need an attorney to review the way in which the accident took place and conduct an investigation, if appropriate. It is imperative that you determine who exactly is liable for the damages you suffered since it can directly affect how much you can recover in a settlement.
Motorcyclists often suffer serious and life-changing injuries. During this time, your energy and your time is best spent on your treatment and on recovering from your injuries. Injured motorcyclists do not have the time to focus on the legal aspects of their case. Insurance companies know this. That is why many offer injured bikers a quick settlement. They are hoping you accept this settlement, which is far less than you deserve.
Never sign anything without first speaking to our Doral motorcycle accident attorneys. We can fight for you and your future, so you can focus your time and energy on what matters most – your health.
Causes of Doral Motorcycle Accidents
Many Motorcycle Accidents Take Place Because of Motorist Negligence
Motorcycle accidents in Doral can take place for any number of reasons; however, negligence or recklessness of other motorists on the road frequently contributes to motorcyclists' injuries. When this is the case, Florida law typically entitles victims to compensation for their injuries.
Examples of motorist negligence that can lead to serious motorcycle accidents include:
- Speeding
- Impaired driving
- Distracted driving
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Running stop signs or stoplights
- Changing lanes without signaling
- Improper turns
- Driving on the wrong side of the street
- Following too closely
- Failing to use headlights when required by law
Other examples of driver negligence could result in accidents, many of which may require significant legal training and experience to spot. For this reason, everyone injured in a motorcycle accident should discuss their crashes with an attorney familiar with Florida personal injury law.
Other Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
While other motorists cause a significant percentage of motorcycle accidents, other causes may entitle victims to compensation. For example, defectively designed, manufactured, or marketed motorcycles can result in wrecks. In many cases, these flaws can make motorcycles unstable or difficult to stop, leading to serious accidents that have nothing to do with errors on the parts of motorcyclists. Common issues that result from motorcycle defects include:
- Unintended acceleration
- Explosions
- Instability at high speed
- Tire blowouts
- Fires
Defective or poorly designed roads can also cause serious injuries. Because motorcycles only make two points of contact with the road and are significantly lighter than passenger vehicles like cars or trucks, roadway issues can easily cause motorcycle riders to lose control of their vehicles. Road defects that can cause serious accidents include:
- Potholes
- Inadequate drainage
- Cracked pavement
- Shoulder drop-offs
- Overgrown vegetation
- Inadequate signs
- Malfunctioning stoplights
In general, when these accidents take place on public roads, the party responsible for the accident is a government agency—which means that victims have a significantly shorter length of time to bring a claim to recover their accident-related losses. As a result, if you suspect a problem with the road on which you were driving injured you, speak to an attorney as soon as you can. Waiting too long to file a claim could result in losing the right to recover compensation at all.
Pure Comparative Negligence for Motorcycle Accidents in Doral
Do you believe you may be partially at fault for your motorcycle accident or the injuries you sustained? If so, you may be hesitant to reach out to a lawyer for help. However, the Florida shared fault laws are far more victim-friendly than you might think.
Under Florida Statute § 768.81, the state follows a pure comparative negligence system. Here, when you share fault for your injuries, you will not be barred from recovering compensation for your damages the same way you would if you lived in a pure contributory negligence state like Alabama or North Carolina.
However, sharing fault does not come without its consequences. When you are partially to blame for your injuries, your injury settlement will then be reduced in proportion to your percentage of liability. This means if you are 20% at fault for your injuries, you can only recover 80% of your motorcycle accident award.
You may have serious concerns surrounding how your motorcycle accident injury settlement will be affected by the state's pure comparative negligence laws. Find out more when you contact your Doral motorcycle accident attorney for help.
Types of Doral Motorcycle Accident Injuries
When Doral motorcyclists are involved in serious accidents, they can sustain extremely serious injuries. This is particularly true in cases where accidents throw them from their bikes and they collide with the ground, moving vehicles, or other objects like trees or buildings. At our law firm, we help injured Doral motorcyclists just like you. We have experience representing motorcyclists who suffered a variety of injuries in crashes throughout Doral.
Serious injuries that motorcycle accident victims often sustain include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Concussion
- Whiplash
- Road rash
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Third-degree burns
- Nerve damage
- Accidental amputations
- Dislocations
- Serious fractures
- Severe soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Neck injuries
Even in a best-case scenario, these injuries result in significant medical expenses and lengthy recovery times for victims. In more serious cases, victims never return to work and develop disabilities that cause substantial damage to their day-to-day quality of life.
Proving Liability After a Doral Motorcycle Accident
Who Might Be Responsible for a Motorcycle Accident?
Most of the time a Doral motorcycle accident will end up being the fault of a driver that was acting negligently. This may be one of the more common liable parties when it comes to motorcycle accidents, but it is by no means the only possible liable party. Even if it seems that another driver may have been at fault for your accident injuries, there may be other parties that also contributed negligence.
Every single motorcycle accident is unique and will come with all kinds of details that can change who is liable. Another driver may not even be involved at all, and the fault could lie with whomever is in charge of maintaining a road since an accident can be caused by negligent road maintenance. In other cases, a negligent driver could be driving a company car and the company can be held responsible for their employee's negligent behavior. A parts manufacturer could also be held liable if one of their motorcycle parts was defective and caused an accident.
What to Expect from the Insurance Company
Unfortunately, motorcyclists are known for being taken advantage of by insurance companies. It is more common than you might think for insurance companies to place unwarranted blame on motorcycle accident victims in the hopes of getting away with reducing or denying them the compensation that is rightfully theirs. Insurance adjusters will often attempt to capitalize on the “biker stigma” that stereotypes motorcyclists as being reckless drivers.
Since Florida follows a pure comparative negligence system, if you share fault for your injuries, your injury settlement can be reduced. This means the insurance company can get away with not paying you the compensation you deserve. Fortunately, when your attorney steps in and handles the negotiations process on your behalf, you can rest easier knowing your lawyer will never pressure you into settling for less than you deserve.
Can I Recover Damages If I Was Not Wearing a Helmet?
Yes, you can recover damages after a Doral motorcycle accident, even if you were not wearing a helmet. However, you may share some of the blame for the crash. According to Florida statutes, all motorcyclists must wear a helmet if they are over the age of 21. If you fail to do this, the insurance company could argue that you contributed to your injuries.
When this occurs, we can fight for you and help you obtain the compensation you need. Our lawyers are skilled in negotiating all types of motorcycle accident claims and we have the resources to fight these tough battles.
Doral Motorcycle Accident FAQ
Riding a motorcycle in Doral comes with dangers well known to most bikers. Although most of our major roads—41st Street, the Reagan Turnpike, and 87th Avenue—are straight and flat, Doral sees its share of heavy commuter traffic, challenging weather and glare conditions, and poor decisions by car and truck drivers at left turns and four-way intersections. Any of these can trigger a dangerous motorcycle accident that leaves riders seriously injured, or worse.
After a motorcycle accident in Doral, injured bikers and grieving families have a host of questions about their legal rights to seek compensation through insurance claims and legal actions. Answers to some of the most common of those questions appear below. For detailed answers to questions specific to a motorcycle wreck in Doral that injured you or a loved one, speak for free with a skilled, knowledgeable attorney at Dolman Law Group.
I Got Hurt in a Doral Motorcycle Wreck. What Are My Rights?
In the simplest terms, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and losses if the crash happened because of someone else's bad decisions or wrongful actions. That party—which could be an individual, a business, a government agency, or any other entity—need not have meant to do you harm. In fact, that usually isn't the case in Doral motorcycle crashes. What matters, instead, is whether someone else could have, and should have, made different decisions or taken different actions that would have prevented the crash and your injuries.
The most reliable way to claim compensation for your injuries and losses is to work with a skilled Doral motorcycle accident injury lawyer. An initial consultation with an experienced attorney is free of charge and can help you understand your rights and options.
Who Can I Sue for My Doral Motorcycle Accident Damages?
You can sue just about anyone if their unreasonably dangerous decisions or actions caused you harm. In our experience, any of the following parties could owe you damages for triggering your crash:
- A careless or reckless car or truck driver who did not share the road with you responsibly, and who made poor choices behind the wheel that led to a wreck. Some common driver errors that harm motorcyclists in Doral include turning left across an oncoming motorcyclist's travel lane, merging into a lane already occupied by a motorcycle, and trying to pass a motorcycle in a single lane.
- The employer of the type of driver described above, if that driver crashed a work vehicle into a motorcycle. Employers usually must answer for their employees' wrongful conduct, and also have a duty to train and supervise employees to make sure they stay safe on Doral-area roads.
- A government agency responsible for designing, building, and maintaining safe roads for motorcyclists in and around Doral if it permits an unreasonably dangerous road condition to develop and fails to either fix it or, at a minimum, to warn bikers about it. Examples include failures to post warnings about grooved pavement or other construction-zone hazards, or failing to repair malfunctioning traffic devices or missing signs.
- An automotive or motorcycle manufacturer, if it sells defective equipment that fails under normal operating conditions, leading to a motorcycle accident. This includes original equipment manufacturers such as car companies and bike makers, as well as manufacturers of aftermarket parts for cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
- A bar, restaurant, or social host, if that person serves alcohol to a minor or to a person known to be “habitually addicted” to consuming alcohol if that person subsequently causes a drunk driving accident that harms a motorcyclist.
This is just a sample list. The best way to find out who might owe you damages for injuries and losses you suffered in a Doral motorcycle accident is to speak for free with an experienced attorney today.
What Kinds of Compensation Can I Get?
It depends on the circumstances of your Doral motorcycle crash. In general, however, an insurance claim and/or lawsuit for damages can often result in payment for:
- Your medical expenses related to treating your injuries and any secondary health complications that arise from them, such as costs of hospital stays, doctor visits, medication, physical therapy, and medical equipment.
- Any other expenses you have because of your motorcycle crash that you wouldn't have had otherwise.
- The wages and income you lost or might lose in the future because of your wreck and the injuries you suffered in it.
- Your pain and suffering resulting from the injuries, which includes harm to your personal and intimate relationships, and the overall decline in your quality of life.
In some cases, a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer might also have the ability to convince a Miami-Dade County court to award you a payment of punitive damages from the at-fault party, if that party engaged in extreme or intentionally harmful conduct that resulted in your crash.
Speak to an experienced lawyer today to learn more about the types of compensation you might request in legal action.
How Much Money Will I Receive?
There are no guarantees, and the amounts of compensation can vary widely from case to case. Factors that influence the size of the payment you can reasonably hope to obtain by taking legal action include:
- The extent and impact of your injuries, which tend to figure into your medical expenses, wage losses, and pain and suffering you might encounter in the aftermath of a Doral motorcycle wreck.
- The strength of the case a skilled lawyer can build on your behalf by collecting and presenting evidence in your favor.
- The amount of dispute over issues like who owes you damages for your injuries and how much money you deserve to receive as compensation.
- The financial resources available with which to pay you damages, either from insurance or out of the at-fault party's assets.
By carefully reviewing the facts and circumstances of your accident and injuries, skilled attorneys for Doral motorcycle crash victims can usually come up with an estimate of the range of damages you might recover.
I Wasn't Wearing a Helmet When I Crashed My Motorcycle. Does That Affect My Rights?
It's complicated. As a Doral motorcyclist, you have the same rights on the road as everyone else. That includes the right to expect other drivers to treat you with respect and to take care not to cause an accident that harms you. No one who rides a motorcycle deserves to get into an accident. The law entitles motorcyclists to the same compensation as any other motor vehicle accident victim.
However, motorcyclists do have some obligations that car and truck drivers don't; namely, Florida law requires you to wear a helmet unless you're over 21, and you carry at least $10,000 in medical coverage to protect you against the costs of injuries in a crash. So, if you were not of age or covered by adequate insurance at the time you crashed while not wearing a helmet, that could affect your legal rights.
Also, even if you are over 21 and you do carry the required insurance, it can sometimes be challenging to secure maximum payment for an injury that wearing a helmet could have prevented (such as a TBI). To give yourself the best shot at obtaining the money you deserve for your injuries, make sure to hire an attorney who has an established track record of getting results in motorcycle accident cases.
What Can a Lawyer Do That I Can't Do for Myself?
A lot. Listen, we understand that sometimes it feels like a hassle to go through the process of finding and hiring an attorney, especially when you've suffered a serious injury that causes you pain and difficulty. The truth is, however, that hiring a lawyer makes your life easier in the wake of a motorcycle wreck, not harder.
A lawyer can:
- Take over interactions with your own insurance company and the insurance company representing the party at fault for your wreck.
- Evaluate and explain your legal options for pursuing compensation.
- Gather the evidence necessary to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
- Present your case to insurance adjusters, defense lawyers, judges, and juries, including in trials in Miami-Dade County courtrooms.
- Negotiate top-dollar settlements and advise you about whether to accept or reject settlement offers.
- Help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you tens of thousands of dollars or more.
Most people don't have the knowledge, resources, and skills to handle these tasks on their own, much less the energy to do so while healing from a motorcycle crash injury. In the vast majority of cases, leaving the task of getting paid to an experienced lawyer gets you far more money than you could ever have hoped to obtain on your own.
How Much does a Doral Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Cost?
Nothing up front, and nothing unless you win.
Experienced Doral motorcycle accident lawyers offer free consultations to injured crash victims and families of motorcyclists who lost their lives in crashes. In these initial meetings, lawyers give potential clients an overview of their rights and options. They do not charge a penny for these sessions, even if a crash victim decides not to hire them.
Also, lawyers who get hired by motorcycle accident victims in Doral almost always agree to work on contingency. That's an arrangement in which the lawyer does all the work on a case in exchange for a percentage of any money the lawyer succeeds in securing on the injured victim's behalf. The lawyer does not charge money up front and does not bill by the hour. Instead, the lawyer gets paid only if the client gets paid.
In other words, you have nothing to lose, and potentially lots to gain, by speaking with an experienced Doral motorcycle crash attorney about an accident that injured you or a loved one.
I Have a Prior Criminal Conviction. Does That Prevent Me from Suing for Damages?
No, it doesn't. You have the same rights to seek compensation for your injuries and losses as anyone else. Barring extremely unusual circumstances, your prior criminal convictions should play no role whatsoever in your claim for damages arising from a Doral motorcycle wreck. In fact, with the help of a skilled lawyer, it's often possible to exclude any mention of your past difficulties altogether from any legal proceeding.
We understand that some people have had less-than-positive experiences with the court system throughout their lives. Nevertheless, we strongly encourage them to speak with a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer about their rights and options. Anyone harmed in a motorcycle wreck caused by someone else's wrongful actions deserves compensation, and an experienced lawyer knows how to fight to get it.
Is There Anything I Can Do to Help My Case?
Yes. First, get the medical treatment you need and follow your doctor's advice. We can't stress how critically important this is, not just for your health and well-being but also for your legal and financial interests.
Trying to tough out an injury or failing to take care of yourself in the way a doctor advises could not only make your injuries worse, but it could also give insurance companies and defense lawyers ammunition to refuse to pay you the damages you deserve. By going to the doctor and sticking to your treatment plan, you put yourself in the strongest possible position to secure maximum payment. You also help to generate medical records that may well serve as critical evidence to support your claim.
Second, contact an experienced Doral motorcycle accident attorney at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, as soon as possible. Your legal rights come with an expiration date, called a statute of limitations, after which you may lose your ability to seek compensation altogether. Plus, your case for damages is strongest when the evidence of what happened is fresh and readily available.
Give an experienced motorcycle crash lawyer the best chance to advocate for you and get you the money you need and deserve by reaching out right away for your free consultation.
Is There a Deadline for Filing My Motorcycle Accident Claim in Doral?
Yes. Your Doral motorcycle accident lawsuit must be filed before the four-year personal injury statute of limitations expires under Florida Statute § 95.11. This exact deadline can vary considerably depending on the details of your case.
For this reason, it is essential that you get the legal advice and support of a knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney who can ensure that the statute of limitations does not prevent you from recovering total compensation for your damages.
Should I Accept a Settlement Offer from the Insurance Company?
It is never a good idea to accept an insurance company's settlement offer without first reviewing it with your attorney. Insurance companies are notorious for doing everything in their power to reduce or deny the claims of motorcycle accident and personal injury victims.
If the insurance company is making you a lowball insurance settlement offer, your attorney can handle the negotiations process on your behalf to ensure that you are not taken advantage of during your greatest time of need.
Call Dolman Law Group Today to Speak with a Doral Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If a motorcycle accident hurt you in or around Doral, Florida, call Dolman Law Group as soon as you can. Our experienced Doral motorcycle accident lawyers know how catastrophic motorcycle accidents can damage victims and their families, and we do everything we can to ensure that our clients obtain the compensation to which Florida law entitles them.
To schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our team, call our office today at (305) 930-7688 or send us an email through our online contact form. We are here to help you after a serious Doral motorcycle accident.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
8400 NW 36th St Suite 450
Doral, FL 33166
305-930-7688
What Our Clients Have to Say:
“My experience with this law firm has been extremely pleasant. After being involved in an accident where I was injured, I was able to seek treatment from the best doctors in the area. I was lucky to have a team that assisted in scheduling my appointments that worked around both my full time work schedule and my demanding grad school schedule. Even with a move out of state to New York, I was able to remain with this law firm and continue treatment in south Florida while remaining under the care of the doctors that I felt most comfortable with. Even though I suffered injuries and experienced difficulties in that aspect, the team here was able to make sure that I was able to continue work and stay on track with grad school all while I moved to a new state.”
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Anna Slough
August 2018
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