Palm Beach County saw the fatal effects of two major road accidents this week. Both accidents took place Monday afternoon and authorities were busy on the scene. The first accident claimed the life of 30-year-old motorcyclist, Jacob Ward. A little after 3:00 PM, Ward was travelling on Okeechobee Boulevard in the center lane when he crashed into a BMW that was attempting a left turn. Ward collided into the passenger side of the BMW, and the impact sent him flying from his motorcycle. The accident took place in front of Lowe’s and to the west of Military Trail. The driver of the BMW was not injured, but Ward died at the scene and his motorcycle was broken into multiple pieces.

The second accident happened in the West Boca Raton area near Gatehouse Drive and Yamato Road. Not much additional information was released regarding this accident this week, but it was confirmed that at least one life was lost. This crash took place about an hour after the previously mentioned collision.

HOW COMMON ARE CAR ACCIDENTS IN FLORIDA?

Unfortunately, they are very common. In 2019, over 3,000 fatalities happened because of car accidents in the state of Florida. These statistics explain why Florida continues to be one of the top states in the nation to lose lives in this way.

HOW DO MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS DIFFER FROM CAR ACCIDENTS?

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.

4 REASONS TO GET A LAWYER WHEN INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT YOU DIDN’T CAUSE:

  • The insurance adjuster isn’t your friend.

Insurance companies are businesses trying to make a profit. They are well-versed in all the ways they can save themselves more money. An insurance company does not have to keep your best interests in mind. However, a good attorney will always do this for you.

  • An experienced lawyer can spot insurance tactics. 

The right legal representation anticipates shady behavior and maintains enough energy for the both of you. Let an exceptional legal team expose the tricks used by insurance companies before it’s too late.

  • The lure of fast money can influence people to settle too quickly for not enough.

Settle agreements can be tricky but insurance companies are very good at talking victims into accepting them. Unfortunately, the agreements tend to yield a sum that is lower than what the involved party owed. It is crucial to get a lawyer immediately following a car accident you didn’t cause because he or she will become your best defense against insurance companies.

  • Personal mistakes can be costly both short-term and long-term. 

People want to cut corners and try to handle their legal matters on their own to save money. However, you could easily mistake legal jargon or overlook a clause without a skilled attorney on your side. Before you know it, you’ve signed an agreement you never would have signed had you understood what was going on in its entirety. Now is the time to make sure you have the right people on your side.

KELLER, MELCHIORRE, AND WALSH KNOWS THE PALM BEACH AREA

If you or a loved one are involved in a car accident in the Palm Beach area, contact the law offices of Keller, Melchiorre, and Walsh today. Our lawyers and staff are heavily involved in the Palm Beach community. While this fact may not seem crucial to your individual situation, it can end up making a big difference in the outcome of your story. Our office has outstanding relationships with local police departments and medical facilities. Having a positive relationship with the police department is beneficial for you because it increases our chances of obtaining whatever film footage is available from your accident. As part of this community, we work hard to support other pillars so that we can all improve as a team.. The right video footage and medical files can help you establish who was at-fault for your accident, and being able to obtain that information in a timely manner is something valuable that we can provide our clients. Contact a trusted lawyer today at Keller, Melchiorre, and Walsh and we will help you on your way to recovery. This is hopefully a once in a lifetime experience for you, but it’s something we’ve already seen on a regular basis as a personal injury law firm. You can trust that your case is in good hands.