You probably look forward to riding your motorcycle almost every single day. There's nothing quite like the exhilaration of hopping on your bike and hitting the open road for a ride. The fresh, clean air. The unmatched sense of freedom. Feeling as though you're floating through the air.
Certainly, there are some advantages to riding a motorcycle. Cheaper gas mileage. Fewer carbon emissions. The workout that your brain and body receive while riding. And, of course, finding a parking spot for a motorcycle is so much easier than for a typical car or truck.
As you probably know, however, riding a motorcycle can be dangerous. No barrier exists between you and the road. Motorcycles just don't have the same safety features as cars. This includes things we take for granted, like seatbelts, airbags, and a metal container to protect you in the event of a crash. Certain road hazards become even more dangerous for a motorcycle operator. Uneven surfaces, wet pavement, and road debris can all be difficult to navigate.
Sharing the road with other vehicles can also present a major challenge. Motorcycles are both smaller and less visible. Couple that with the alarming number of distracted or impaired drivers in Pembroke Pines and you have the perfect storm for a bad motorcycle accident.
What happens if you are injured in a motorcycle accident?
Statistically speaking, you probably suffered injuries far worse than you would have in a typical motor vehicle accidents. Your motorcycle may be totaled. How can you possibly pay for the medical bills, lost wages, and damage to your bike?
The Ward Law Group assists individuals involved in motorcycle accidents to secure the compensation that they deserve. Navigating the claims process can be difficult, especially if you're dealing with significant injuries. We take care of all communications and negotiations with the insurance companies so that you can focus on your recovery.
Don't let a language barrier keep you from settling a fair claim. Legal jargon is hard enough for native English speakers to understand. Insurance companies may take advantage of those who don't fully understand the technical language that defines the claims process. The Ward Law Group will ensure that this never happens to you. You deserve better.
Personal Injury & Motorcycle Accidents Statistics for Pembroke Pines, FL
Where is the most dangerous place to drive in the United States? Is it New York? Los Angeles? Miami? The answer may be much closer than you think. According to a study conducted by Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) in 2016, Pembroke Pines is statistically the country's second most dangerous place to drive.
Surprised? If you're a regular commuter on I-75 or nearby roads, you probably aren't. The CMT study concluded that dangerous behaviors like distracted driving, harsh braking, and bad turning practices made the roads of Pembroke Pines particularly unsafe. According to the study, only Jersey City, NJ was a more dangerous place for drivers.
What does this mean for motorcyclists? Given the year-round warmth and historic scenic drives, there are more motorcycles on the road in Florida than in other states. Sadly, this also means more motorcycle accidents. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Broward County experienced 736 motorcycle crashes in 2017. Of those crashes, over 600 involved injuries and 33 were fatal. This is just slightly lower than the three-year average of 792 crashes with 667 involving personal injuries.
Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Your motorcycle doesn't have the same safety features as modern cars and trucks. Without the protection of an enclosed vehicle, you run the risk of enduring significant injuries. Even a simple rear-end collision can put you out of commission for weeks or months.
A negligent driver needs to pay if you suffer from any of the following:
- Scrapes or road rash
- Broken bones
- Injuries to the extremities
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
- Mental or emotional trauma
- And more...
The Ward Law Group can help you recover expenses including medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning potential, and pain & suffering that are related to these injuries.
Florida Law & Auto Accident Compensation
Florida adheres to "no-fault" car accident compensation laws. If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, regardless of fault, you need to file a claim with your insurance provider. The personal injury protection (PIP) portion of your policy pays for a predetermined amount of your injuries. In many cases, this is after you pay the deductible.
Of course, motorcycle accidents can mean major injuries that cost much more than what your PIP plans covers. If this is the case, you have the right to sue the other party for the extra expenses. Since PIP coverage doesn't cover property damage, you can file a claim with the other party's insurance company for your damaged motorcycle.
Should your case go to trial, a judge or jury will determine the percentage that each party was at fault. According to pure comparative negligence laws, you may not receive your full settlement. For example, if the court determines that you were 20% at fault for the motorcycle accident, you may only receive $8,000 of a $10,000 claim.
A personal injury attorney can sift through the facts and make sure that you are fairly compensated for your motorcycle accident. Personal injury laws can be complicated. Why risk losing thousands of dollars trying to go about it alone?
Maximizing Your Claim: Immediate Steps to Take After an Accident
Motorcycle accidents can be especially traumatic. Being thrown from your bike and into open traffic presents significant risks that car and truck drivers wouldn't even consider. After an accident, the first thing you need to do is make sure that you are safe. If your injuries allow, move away from oncoming traffic. Find a safe spot and call your local emergency number.
If you suspect an injury, then seek immediate medical attention. This is no time to be stoic. Refusing medical care may make it harder to prove your injuries were due to the motorcycle accident. Even if you don't think you were injured, it's best to get checked out by your doctor a day or two after the accident. Some injuries don't exhibit symptoms until days or even weeks after an accident.
The police will draft an accident report based on the accident scene and witness accounts. This accident report will play a major role in your personal injury claim. If possible, request the names, phone numbers, and addresses of any witnesses. Also, obtain pictures of the accident scene. The more information you have about the accident, the better your chance at filing a successful insurance claim.
If your injuries were due to someone else's negligence, consider talking to a personal injury lawyer before agreeing to anything the insurance company has to offer. Insurance companies often try to settle for much less than you deserve. This is how they make their profits. Don't lose out on the money you deserve just for a quick settlement.
The Ward Law Group Will Help You
Gregory Ward, the founder of The Ward Law Group, once worked for the opposite team: the insurance companies. He witnessed these corporations taking advantage of suffering, struggling accident victims. In his heart, he knew that this was wrong. As a result, he founded The Ward Law Group.
Partnered with his wife, Jany Martinez-Ward, The Ward Group believes that the legal system should support the bonds of the family. After all, everyone in the family suffers when someone becomes a victim of a car or motorcycle accident. Securing the compensation to keep families afloat is the main focus of The Ward Law Group.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, The Ward Law Group will take care of the complicated paperwork, negotiations process, and any potential litigation. While you recover from your injuries, we make sure that you don't suffer financially because of another driver's negligence.
Both English- and Spanish-speaking families have secured their financial futures thanks to The Ward Law Group. Call us today to schedule a consultation. We know that this is a difficult time. Let our legal experts ease the burden.