Fort Myers Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Fort Myers, FL

Compared with crashes involving only passenger vehicles, motorcycle accidents are more likely to end in serious injury. While passenger cars have airbags and other protective features in place to stop occupants from being hurt in a crash, motorcyclists have only their helmets to protect them. If you’ve been injured in a crash, you should work with a Fort Myers motorcycle accident lawyer who understands what motorcycle accidents entail.

Trust The Caldarone Law Group, P.A.

The team here at The Caldarone Law Group, P.A., has been practicing personal injury law for years. Our founding attorney, Justin P. Caldarone, also has experience working for insurance companies, so he knows exactly what it takes to get you the settlement you deserve. Whether you were in no way at fault for your accident or you share part of the blame, you should reach out right away to understand your next steps.

Why Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

Unfortunately, motorcyclists are five times as likely as occupants in passenger vehicles to be injured in crashes, and 28 times more likely to die. In 2023, Florida experienced more motorcycle deaths than any other state, with 668 fatalities. This should come as no surprise, given the sheer number of bikes on the road. In 2022, there were 650,201 motorcycles registered to Florida riders alone. 

If you’re one of the many Floridian bikers who has been injured in a crash, you should hire a motorcycle accident lawyer right away. Your lawyer can help you:

• Determine whether you have a claim
• Figure out who was liable for your injuries
• Identify the extent of damages you suffered
• Collect evidence to support your claim
• Negotiate with insurance companies to get a fair settlement offer
• Represent you in court should your case go to trial

Remember that insurance companies are notorious for offering low payouts that don’t cover riders’ damages completely. Hiring a motorcycle accident attorney in Fort Myers is a good way to make sure you don’t fall prey to their unscrupulous tactics.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can happen for all kinds of reasons, but some issues come up more frequently than others. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Failure to detect motorcycles. Drivers often fail to notice motorcycles in traffic or misjudge their speed and distance, leading to collisions during lane changes, turns, and merges.
• Blind spots. Motorcycles have a smaller profile than cars, so it’s harder to see them when they’re in a passenger vehicle’s blind spot, particularly during lane changes and merging maneuvers.
• Intersection collisions. Nighttime riding and challenging weather conditions can make it harder for drivers to see motorcyclists at intersections, making collisions involving both bikers and passenger cars relatively common at dangerous crossings like Daniels Parkway and US-41.
• Road hazards. Hazards that are an inconvenience for cars can pose a serious danger to motorcyclists. These hazards include potholes, puddles, oil slicks, and debris on the roadway, among other issues.
• Speed wobble. Bikers who are traveling at high speeds often experience front-end wobble due to unbalanced or worn tires, misaligned wheels, improper tire pressure, or other issues.
• Drunk driving. Driving while intoxicated increases the risk of accidents for anyone, but motorcyclists are most vulnerable to serious injury as a result of their own or other people’s drunk driving.

Common Injuries

It’s common for motorcycle accidents to lead to severe injuries. Some of the most common of them can include:

• Road rash
• Skin lacerations
• Broken bones
• Injuries to extremities
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Traumatic amputations
• Traumatic brain injuries

If you have a loved one who died in a motorcycle accident that was someone else’s fault, you can also file a wrongful death claim. These claims seek compensation for the deceased’s expenses, such as medical bills and burial costs, loss of future earnings, and loss of companionship.

FAQs

Who Is Usually at Fault in Motorcycle Accidents?

Passenger vehicle drivers are usually at fault in motorcycle accidents. The primary issue is that they don’t pay enough attention to see motorcycles before turning, entering intersections, or switching lanes on highways. Although drivers cause most accidents, it’s usually the motorcyclists who sustain the worst injuries due to the lack of protection afforded by a bike compared to a car.

How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Motorcycle Accident?

How much compensation you can get for a motorcycle accident will depend on a variety of factors. They include: the severity of your injuries, whether you are facing a permanent disability or disfigurement, how much property damage you incurred when your bike was totaled, and how skilled your attorney is at negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf.

What Is the 4-Second Rule for Motorcycles?

The 4-second rule for motorcycles refers to the fact that bikers are supposed to leave at least a four-second following distance from the vehicle ahead of them. This leaves time to react safely should the vehicle ahead stop suddenly or swerve. The unfortunate truth is that drivers aren’t typically looking out for motorcyclists, so bikers should be aware of that and look out for themselves.

What Happens if Someone Crashes Your Motorcycle?

If someone crashes your motorcycle, your insurance company will pay for any repairs to the bike and medical care required by the rider. However, if your coverage is insufficient to cover damages, you may be left liable for making up the difference. The at-fault rider’s insurance might cover some amount of the difference, but coverage can be denied if the rider was unlicensed.

Your Fort Myers Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been in a crash on your bike, you should hire a Fort Myers motorcycle accident lawyer who can help you hold the responsible party or parties liable. The Caldarone Law Group, P.A., can help. Our founding attorney, Justin P. Caldarone, has been practicing personal injury law for years. In that time, he has become intimately familiar with motorcycle accident laws and how they can be used to maximize your claim. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.