Motorcycle Accidents

We Have Your Back
Motorcycle accidents are among the most dangerous of all vehicle accidents. A rider is virtually unprotected, even if wearing a helmet or leather gear. When a motorcycle is hit by another vehicle, the rider is thrown onto the roadway and is likely to suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries. The recovery time after such an accident may be weeks, months, or the injured rider may require a lifetime of care. Securing compensation for damages is exceptionally important, and at Panzer Law, we are “defenders of the injured” and take on these cases determined to seek the maximum in compensation.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
A motorcycle accident is often life-changing, with injuries that impact every aspect of life. Some of the most common types of injuries include:

  • Severe abrasions
  • Broken bones
  • Joint damage, knees, elbows, ankles, wrists
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Head injuries
  • Fatal injuries

Fighting for Justice: A Lawyer Who Cares
At Panzer Law, we understand the challenges that can occur in motorcycle accident cases. In some cases, a bias against motorcyclists may exist. Our approach is to thoroughly investigate the facts in the case and develop a compelling claim or lawsuit on behalf of the injured. In cases of fatal injuries, we can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the close family.

What is Your Case Worth?
The value of the settlement or jury award will reflect the extent of the injuries and how they have impacted every area of your life. The types of matters to be evaluated include:

  • Value of lost income from work, current and future
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Cost of all medical care and treatment
  • The estimated cost of future medical care and treatment
  • Cost of rehabilitation
  • Cost of skilled nursing care when needed
  • Cost of medications and medical equipment
  • Transportation costs
  • Permanent disability
  • Loss of quality of life, emotional anguish
  • Loss of companionship
  • Pain and suffering

Accurately evaluating your motorcycle injury case requires an understanding of the accident’s long-term consequences and how those consequences will affect your future quality of life.

Suffered Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

What Sets Us Apart from the Rest?
At Panzer Law, we take on motorcycle accident cases determined to help the injured person achieve justice and the maximum possible compensation. When working with our clients and their families, we are compassionate, understanding, and genuinely care. When we are involved in negotiating the terms of a settlement, we stand steadfast to fight for full and fair compensation.
Our approach to injury cases is far different than what you may experience at other law firms in the area. You will never feel like you are “just another client,” as we genuinely care about the people we represent. Every member of our team values honesty, integrity, and personalized service and believes in being accessible and responsive. We work long hours and take our cases very personally – we focus on pursuing the most favorable result possible for the people we serve.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Florida
In the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale areas, a motorcycle can be the ideal way to travel – until tragedy strikes. According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), motorcyclists are overrepresented in the number of fatalities. As reported by the GHSA (Governor’s Highway Safety Association), Florida is listed as the sixth most dangerous state for motorcyclists, with motorcycle accident fatalities at 18.5 percent of the total motor vehicle deaths, with over 500 fatal accidents each year – more than one every day.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents often occur due to the failure of another driver failing to notice the rider in a nearby lane or ahead. The smaller profile of the motorcyclist may cause a vehicle driver to change lanes directly into a rider, impact the motorcyclist from behind at a light or stop sign, or turn at an intersection directly into the motorcycle. The most common reasons behind a motorcycle accident include:

  • Speeding
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Inexperienced drivers
  • Distracted drivers
  • Drowsy drivers
  • Left-hand turns
  • Unsafe passing
  • Alcohol or drug intoxication

Who is at Fault?
Motorcycle accident cases can be challenging to resolve. The responsible vehicle operator’s insurance company may attempt to claim the rider is at fault, playing on a bias. In fact, many of these accidents are caused by the vehicle driver, who made an error in judgment, failing to notice a motorcyclist sharing the road. At Panzer Law, our approach is to ensure the accident is fully investigated, including requesting cell phone records when necessary.

Many drivers, and we have all seen them, drive unsafely. They stare downward at a phone rather than watching the road ahead or are involved in a phone conversation, two of the most dangerous driving habits. We may request drug and alcohol testing results, visit the scene of the accident, or call upon a professional accident investigator to evaluate the scene.  The goal is to develop a compelling case and achieve a positive case outcome, whether in a settlement or at trial.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I was partially at fault?

Florida is what is termed a “comparative negligence” state. If you were partially responsible for what occurred, the amount of compensation you are paid would be reduced by the percentage that you are believed to be responsible for.

I was hit by a drunk driver who did not have insurance – what do I do?

Unfortunately, many drivers are operating vehicles without auto insurance. If the drunk driver has no insurance or is under-insured, a claim can be filed with your own auto insurance provider. Although a lawsuit could be filed to attempt to seek compensation by another method, these negligent drivers often do not have assets that make this approach successful.

Do I have a case?

You may be unsure if you have a right to seek compensation. Take advantage of our free case consultation to find out if your case has merit.

What damages will be paid in my personal injury claim?

Your personal injury claim involves several types of damages, called “economic damages,” which are the financial losses you experienced, and “non-economic damages,” which are more personal and include pain and suffering and loss of quality of life.

How much will it cost to hire our law firm and when do you pay?

Our firm charges nothing unless we recover benefits for you. In a workers’ compensation case, you pay 30% or less when there is a recovery. The amount is often less because we often recover a portion of our attorney’s fees from the insurance company, sometimes 100%, thereby reducing or eliminating your responsibility for attorney’s fees. In a personal injury case, you pay 33% if the case settles before the defendant files an answer in a lawsuit, or 40% if the case does not settle before the defendant files an answer in a lawsuit.  Costs work the same way, whereby our costs are paid only if we recover benefits for you.  In workers’ compensation cases, we often recover part of our costs, sometimes 100%, thereby reducing or eliminating your responsibility for costs. You pay nothing unless and until we recover benefits for you.

Do I need a lawyer?

While a minor injury could be resolved without an attorney, any case that involves serious injury, catastrophic injury, or loss of life should be managed by a skilled personal injury lawyer.

How much is my case worth?

Every workers’ compensation case is unique. The value will be based on the degree of your injuries, whether they will lead to future challenges, affect your ability to earn a living, require ongoing medical care, and many other factors. To determine the value of your claim will require reviewing your medical condition, valuing the financial losses you have experienced and will experience, and the work restrictions associated with your injuries.

What to expect in our first meeting?

Meeting with a workers’ compensation attorney shouldn’t be an intimidating experience.

Rather it should be useful. In our office, we collect information about your case and help clients to be well informed and comfortable when they come in for an initial consultation. We share important information in at least two ways and develop your case to best handle it for your unique situation.

When you first walk into our office, we’ll sit down and go over the reason for your visit. You will discuss your case with one of our attorneys. If you speak Spanish, you will discuss your case with a Spanish-speaking attorney. One of our staff members will collect information about you and your situation. We will ask you specific questions about your background, your employment, and your injury. Our interview will be extensive and in detail, to obtain the most complete information about your situation. When we are well informed, it allows us to better prepare your case. At the close of the meetings, we may have some tasks for you to do and help us follow up after our meeting, and we will also be running a series of processes after our meeting to start your case as soon as possible.

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