Florida is home to some of the best motorcycle roads and rides in the country, including The Ozelloe Trail Ride, Naples to Key West, Scenic SR-13 (just south of Jacksonville), St. Augustine to Flagler Florida, Indian River Lagoon, and Gulf Coast Cruise. Florida’s warm weather means motorcyclists are able to ride year-round. It should be no surprise then that Florida ranks among the highest in motorcycle accidents.
Jupiter, Florida, has a population of approximately 60,000. It’s been growing over the last few years. It is also a mostly residential area with lots of suburban neighborhoods. These neighborhoods may seem safe for motorcyclists in theory. Unfortunately, many motorcyclists are hit when drivers aren’t paying attention, and distracted driving is very common in familiar neighborhoods.
According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in 2018, there were 8,706 motorcycle accidents across the State of Florida. Of those, 497 involved fatalities. Palm Beach County accounted for 436 of the total accidents and 26 of the total fatalities. When a collision is caused by another’s negligence, a Jupiter motorcycle accident lawyer could help you file a personal injury claim.
Motorcycle accidents differ from car accidents by the amount of protection provided by the vehicle. In a car, truck, or van, the driver and any passengers are better protected because they are physically covered by the vehicle itself.
Motorcyclists are only protected by whatever protective gear they are wearing at the time of the accident. This lack of protection for motorcyclists is why there is about a 10% fatality rate in a car and a 61% fatality rate on a motorcycle.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported 9,143 motorcycle crashes in 2018 and a three-year average of 520 motorcycle fatalities. There are a number of reasons why these accidents happen, but some common causes are good to keep in mind. For example, bad weather and rough road conditions can inhibit a driver.
You may not be able to see a motorcyclist in the rain or at night, or a motorcyclist may hit a pothole in just the right way to throw the entire bike off its course and into your path. Blind spots, in general, will always be a concern, and it is strongly encouraged to use your mirrors with caution.
Lane splitting, or driving a motorcycle between two cars instead of waiting to pass legally, is another common reason for accidents. It takes patience and responsibility on everyone’s part to adhere to traffic laws and be mindful of each other on the road. An attorney in Jupiter could determine the cause of a motorcycle crash and hold responsible parties accountable.
Since there is nothing built around you for protection when riding a motorcycle, wearing the right kind of gear becomes even more necessary. In addition to a helmet, consider covering your body with clothing because anything left exposed can become seriously damaged on the road.
Road rash on the skin is a constant concern and is one of the milder injuries one can sustain in an accident. On a more serious scale, injuries to a person’s brain or spinal cord are also common. Broken bones can be easily attained, and amputations can be necessary. A lawyer in Jupiter could account for any injuries or losses in a motorcycle claim.
Unlike automobile insurance, Florida does not require motorcyclists to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. That means if you are involved in an accident on your motorcycle and you do not have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits on your motorcycle insurance policy, you may be personally responsible for your medical bills.
If you do have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits on your motorcycle insurance policy, this means your insurance will pay up to eighty percent (80%) of up to $10,000.00 of your medical bills. These Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits of your insurance will help pay for your medical bills regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
In other words, your insurance will pay this amount whether you caused the accident or another person was at fault and caused the accident.
If you were not at fault for the accident, you might be able to recover against the at-fault person to recover for any past medical bills and for any future medical bills. A motorcycle crash lawyer could help you understand the insurance applicable in your Jupiter case.
Yes. If you are injured while riding your motorcycle as a result of the negligence of someone else, then you can file a claim for your injuries with the help of a Jupiter attorney. Usually, a collision is caused by the negligence of someone else. Far too often, drivers are distracted, preoccupied with other things, or just not paying attention.
Yes. If you have been injured while riding your motorcycle and someone else was at fault for the accident, you should contact a motorcycle injury attorney in Jupiter as soon as possible.
An attorney will be able to guide you through the claims process and explain your options for pursuing compensation for past medical bills, future medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Your attorney will be able to obtain the accident report, locate witnesses and take witness statements, photograph the scene, obtain video of the accident, obtain your medical records and medical bills, and handle all communication with the involved insurance companies.
Keller, Melchiorre & Walsh is the best law firm to hire to represent your motorcycle crash case in Jupiter. We have connections with local law enforcement, hospitals, and expert witnesses, so we can build the strongest case possible.
We also have experience explaining the fine details of motorcycle accident cases. Oftentimes, insurance companies like to buy into the stereotype that motorcyclists are risk-takers or reckless people. We have argued against this stereotype for years and will continue to do so. We also have experience educating jury members about certain facets of motorcycles to prevent their bias.
For example, motorcyclists have to speed up when they go around turns safely. Some jurors (or even insurance companies) may note this as reckless behavior or try to pin the accident on their speeding. However, we can educate both parties to ensure you don’t lose money because of their bias.
Our years of experience winning high-value cases is invaluable. Just take a look at some of our recent motorcycle accident settlements:
The Jupiter motorcycle accident lawyers and staff at Keller, Melchiorre & Walsh have the experience, resources, and reputation to take on the insurance company and get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us now for a free strategy session.
