St. Petersburg Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

The impact of a sudden motorcycle crash can have you questioning who caused the accident. It may be imperative that you do not admit fault or apologize for the accident. While it is human nature to want to tell an injured person you are sorry, such an apology is often interpreted as an admission of guilt. If law enforcement needs more time to determine fault, you can still retain the services of a St. Petersburg motorcycle accident attorney. Your attorney could also investigate the accident to determine potential liability for your injuries. The immediate aftermath of your motorcycle accident can create mixed emotions. You may feel angry, upset, and frightened. It is important to take a deep breath and accept medical assistance. Leave the accident investigation to responding officers and to your attorney.

Accepting the assistance of responding emergency medical technicians (EMTs) is a good idea for two key reasons:

1. Some injuries do not exhibit outward signs of trauma, making it necessary for a doctor and any recommended tests to identify internal injuries.
2. The medical treatment you receive could help your civil case later.

A motorcycle accident is such a frightening experience you may want to feel normal right afterward. Shock, however, is a serious medical condition that can not only mask pain but that can result in death. Always accept medical transport to a hospital following your motorcycle accident, no matter how you feel.

A motorcycle accident can result in a variety of injuries including:

• Spinal cord injury: Affects sensation and movement.
• Traumatic brain injury: Disrupts normal brain function.
• Broken bones: May require surgeries and therapy.
• Internal injuries: Can damage organs if left untreated.
• Burns: May require painful skin grafts and plastic surgery.
• Road rash/skin abrasions: Painful to clean, but necessary to prevent infection.

These are just a few examples of motorcycle accident injuries that could result in a long recovery or a permanent disability. Seeking immediate medical attention can be vital to ensuring you get the care your injuries require. Your medical costs begin the moment you receive transport to the hospital. These costs continue to rise as you continue to be in immense pain and in dire need of life-saving measures. Seek the help you need, then give careful consideration to contacting a St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer.

Motorcyclists and motorists have a responsibility to share the road. When motorists take their driving privilege for granted and engage in one of the following behaviors, they may cause a motorcycle accident:

• Driving distracted: when a driver takes their hands off the wheel, their eyes off the road, or their mind off driving.
• Driving intoxicated: when a driver has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher.
• Driving drowsy: driver drives with an undiagnosed sleep disorder or after extended hours with no rest.
• Driving aggressively: driver intentionally tailgates, an especially dangerous action behind a motorcycle.

Riding your motorcycle requires a dedication to your safe driving habits and the ability to react to any negligent actions of others. One sudden and unpredictable move by a car, SUV, or semi-truck can leave you with nowhere to go. Apologies from the responsible driver will not pay your medical costs. The driver may feel terrible about what occurred, but proper care may have prevented your injuries. This is especially frustrating, and this is why contacting a St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer could help ease some of the frustration. To pursue a civil case, a lawyer must prove the responsible party was negligent. If another driver failed to use care, resulting in serious harm for you, consider pursuing compensation with the help of a licensed attorney.

While compensation is never guaranteed, a St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer may pursue compensation for:

• Medical expenses relating to your injuries
• Physical therapy, medications, rehabilitation, or other ongoing medical costs
• Your missed time from work and lost wages due to your injuries
• Your lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to the same job as before
• Pain and suffering due to the mental anguish of your injuries

Regardless of whether you have medical insurance, you deserve to seek damages if your accident is the result of driver negligence. Holding the responsible driver accountable for their reckless actions can serve as a form of justice. This is especially true if you lose a close loved one in a motorcycle accident.

You can generally pursue a wrongful death claim and lawsuit if you have one of the following relationships to the victim:

• Surviving spouse
• Parent
• Child

A St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer can determine if other options apply in your case. For example, pursuing compensation for the loss of companionship you suffer due to the death of a spouse may apply to your case. Wrongful death cases are highly emotional for family members, and St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyers understand this. They aim to treat their clients with compassion and care during a time of loss. The unexpected expense of a funeral, and the loss of income from a spouse, can create great stress and anxiety. A wrongful death action may help to alleviate those feelings. No amount of money can replace your loved one; it may, however, help ease some worries about your future. The pursuit of compensation typically begins by negotiating with an insurance company for the best settlement possible.

Never speak with insurance companies without a Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer. The insurance company representing the driver responsible for your injuries or loss may want to settle quickly for a reason. As a for-profit business, their goal can be to pay as little as possible on St. Petersburg motorcycle accident or wrongful death claims. A settlement offer from an insurance company may seem appealing as you face mounting medical costs. What you need to know is this: Accepting the insurance company settlement can prevent you from seeking compensation in the future. If your medical condition worsens, this can leave you without the funds you need for your medical care. St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyers can recognize when an insurance company is using a tactic designed to underpay an accident victim. A lawyer can help by countering this behavior on your behalf. If their attempt to settle your case out of court does not result in the compensation that they feel you deserve, your attorney could go to court on your behalf.

The reason for the urgency when it comes to legal action is because of the statute of limitations. State law imposes a strict deadline for how long an accident victim has to file their case. A motorcycle accident that leaves you seriously injured, or that results in the death of a loved one, changes everything—your health, your finances, and your emotional state. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by these changes and to feel confused about what to do next. Florida laws generally allow four years for St. Petersburg motorcycle accident cases and two years for wrongful death cases. The word “years” can instill a false sense of security and make you think that there is plenty of time to contact a St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer. From a free case evaluation to pursuing compensation in a possible trial, the time can pass before you know it. If you miss the deadline required by the statute of limitations, you may not have another chance to pursue possible compensation. Securing the services of a licensed St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer could help ensure that your case meets all deadlines required by state law.

There are ways you can help a St. Petersburg motorcycle accident attorney with your case. Your smartphone may contain images of the accident scene that your attorney may find useful for your case. Your phone may also contain contact information for witnesses. A St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer can also help your case by interviewing witnesses soon after the accident—while their memory is still fresh. Other ways you can help your case include:

• Providing your lawyer with copies of your medical reports
• Refraining from posting information on social media

When you experience a serious motorcycle accident in St. Petersburg, friends and family may question you about it. Sharing as little information as possible and refraining from posting about your accident on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram is advisable. Any information you share could potentially hurt your civil case. Protect your best interests by not posting any information that an insurance company may use against you, or to blame you for the accident.

Our St. Petersburg motorcycle accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. And, the reality is that with today's rising medical costs, you cannot afford not to contact our St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyers. A serious injury that results in a permanent disability changes your financial situation. Additionally, it may prohibit you from pursuing certain dreams and achieving your personal goals. If the driver responsible for your crash receives criminal charges for their actions, you could still pursue civil action.

This is a question only you can answer in time. The injuries you experienced may prevent you from ever going on a motorcycle again. Some accident victims experience Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a violent crash. For patients with PTSD, they may fear another accident and never ride again. Part of your possible compensation could be money for any property damage to your motorcycle. Depending on the customization of your ride, this compensation may be of important value. It is not fair for a negligent driver to cause you serious injuries in a motorcycle accident, and you are not alone. Losing the ability to enjoy one of your favorite activities, or your career, demands justice.