More than 400,000 motor vehicle accidents occur in Florida every year. With more than 680 people being injured in collisions every day, motorcycles play an unfortunate role in these accidents. Specifically, these accidents leave more than 10,000 motorcyclists with catastrophic injuries every year which require extensive medical treatment. In many cases, motorcyclists are injured in collisions due to the reckless and negligent actions of other drivers sharing the road. Those injured in motorcycle accidents are often forced into area hospitals where they are required to undergo extensive and costly medical treatment for their injuries. Many victims with life-altering injuries are forced to spend weeks or even months off work as they go endure multiple surgeries and therapies in order to recover.

No matter how proactive and vigilant motorcyclists are when riding, they cannot predict the actions of other vehicles sharing the road. Unfortunately, there are innumerous reckless and careless drivers who do not adhere to the rules of the road or respect the rights of motorcyclists. These drivers engage in reckless behaviors that directly endanger other motorists sharing the road. When motorcyclists are harmed in collisions, they are often overwhelmed by the mental, physical, and emotional consequences they face in the aftermath. Unfortunately, the financial burdens are often stacking against them as well. For this reason, it is crucial that motorcycle accident victims contact a competent and trustworthy motorcycle accident attorney in Jacksonville, Florida as soon as possible to protect their legal rights.

We at The Law Offices of Sheftall & Associates have several decades of experience assisting victims with protecting their legal rights after being harmed in motorcycle accidents in Jacksonville and throughout northeastern Florida. Our compassionate injury accident attorneys examine the circumstances surrounding each accident for victims and gather the evidence necessary to ensure they are able to get the justice and compensation they deserve. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, due to the actions of another driver, contact our Jacksonville motorcycle accident attorneys as soon as possible to see how we can assist you.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Jacksonville

The state of Florida has the second-highest number of registered motorcyclists in the United States. Our state, unfortunately, takes the lead in the number of fatal motorcycle accidents annually. Although Florida has a lot to offer riders, it is crucial that riders stay cognizant of their risks for injuries in accidents. Motorcyclists should be familiar with the actions they need to take, should they be victimized in a devastating collision.

At The Law Offices of Sheftall & Associates, our team possesses significant experience representing victims who have sustained life-altering injuries in collisions. Our team realizes that many accidents take place as a direct result of another driver’s actions. When drivers put motorcyclists at risk by acting negligently, we can help them collect the compensation they need and deserve to move forward with their recovery. Unfortunately, there are numerous actions that directly lead to devastating motorcycle accidents throughout Florida. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents our team has helped victims recover compensation for include:

• Distracted Drivers: When compared to other vehicles sharing the road, motorcycles are already quite difficult to see. In many cases, drivers do not pay adequate attention to their surroundings. Instead, drivers become distracted by their cell phones, by eating and drinking or talking to other people in the vehicles. This can cause them to change lanes without looking, running motorcyclists off the road, or even rear-ending motorcyclists in front of them.

• Impaired Drivers: Drunk and impaired drivers sharing the road are unable to react as quickly as others. While traveling next to motorcyclists, they may not notice them and cut them off or crash into them.

• Aggressive Drivers: There are times when we all feel a little frustrated while driving. Unfortunately, some drivers take their emotions and put them in action. All too often, motorcyclists are injured by drivers speeding, changing lanes carelessly, and engaging in other aggressive driving maneuvers.

• Traffic Violators: Roads across Florida have stop signs, traffic control devices, and various other rules and regulations in place to ensure the flow of traffic continues effectively and safely. When drivers fail to yield the right of way, pass through stop signs, and engage in other traffic-related violations of the law, they can inadvertently crash into a motorcyclist and cause devastating injuries.

• Defective Motorcycle Parts: There are some instances where motorcycle accidents are neither the fault of the rider nor other drivers sharing the road. Instead, some accidents are caused by manufacturers cutting corners during production. When an accelerator jams or when brakes fail, it can lead to life-threatening or fatal injuries during accidents.

• Hazardous Road Conditions: The fact that motorcycles balance on two wheels instead of four means they are likely to have problems maintaining balance over uneven surfaces, slippery grounds, and even gravel. When roads have large cracks or potholes, if a motorcyclist hits one, it can lead to the motorcyclists losing control of their vehicles. Hidden hazards on Florida roadways cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles far too often.

Although these examples are the cause of a variety of accidents across our state, these are only some of the negligent acts drivers commit while sharing the roads with motorcyclists. If you were injured in an accident, as a result of another driver’s actions, contact our Jacksonville motorcycle accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Sheftall & Associates as soon as possible to see how we can help you.

Injuries Motorcyclists Sustain in Crashes in Florida

The fact that motorcycles provide very protection and motorcyclists are only required to wear minimal protection is one of the main reasons motorcyclists often suffer catastrophic injuries in collisions. Our state does not require motorcyclists to wear helmets. As a result, victims involved in motorcycle collisions, who do not wear a helmet, are more likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries or even die. Even with helmets, riders can still sustain life-altering injuries, such as:

• Skull Fractures
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Fractured Collarbones
• Fractured Ribs
• Facial Trauma
• Eye Injuries
• Broken Arms, Wrists, or Hands
• Leg Breaks or Fractures
• Limb Dismemberment
• Dislocations
• Neck Injuries
• Road Rash
• Back Injuries
• Internal Organ Injuries
• Soft Tissue Sprains, Tears, or Strains
• Internal Hemorrhaging

Victims harmed in motorcycle accidents often require immediate and extensive medical attention for their injuries. Some victims may have to undergo emergency surgery and multiple other treatments to stabilize their injuries. Victims injured in motorcycle accidents are more likely to require lengthy hospitalizations and months of physical and occupational therapy, pain management treatments, home health care, and the long-term use of medical equipment.

Not only are injured motorcyclists left with overwhelming pain and suffering but they often incur tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills for treatment of their injuries. These costs, coupled with lost wages, can lead to frustrating financial devastation. Due to the fact that victims often suffer overwhelming consequences from these accidents, it is crucial that they reach out to an aggressive personal injury attorney in Jacksonville, Florida as soon as possible to explore legal options available to them.

Don’t Pay for an Accident that Was Not Your Fault

Although any auto accident can result in serious injuries, those involving motorcycles are more likely to result in severe and catastrophic injuries. Without having adequate protection provided by a car around the body to protect you, as a victim, you are likely to sustain life-altering injuries that require extensive medical treatment. In fact, many motorcyclists harmed in collisions are unable to return back to their normal day-to-day life. Instead, they may require life-long medical treatment and have to spend considerable time off from work. Our attorneys at The Law Offices of Sheftall & Associates firmly believe victims should never have to pay for damages or injuries as a result of an accident they did not cause. For this reason, we assist victims in collecting the maximum amount of compensation available for their legal claims to cover the financial burdens they face immediately and throughout their recovery. Some damages our motorcycle accident attorneys in Jacksonville, Florida help victims obtain compensation for include, but are not limited to:

• Current medical expenses
• Future medical expenses
• Long-term care and therapy costs
• Costs of surgery
• Lost wages after an accident
• Lost earning capacity when victims are forced out of work indefinitely
• Costs to repair or replace victims’ vehicles
• Emotional and physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of Consortium

If you were injured in an accident as a result of another driver’s actions, contact our law firm at your earliest convenience to schedule a free case evaluation to see how we can help you.

Statute of Limitations for a Motorcycle Accident in Florida

Working with a qualified motorcycle accident attorney in Jacksonville, Florida as soon as possible after a collision can help ensure that you do not miss the statute of limitations. Florida Statutes §95.11 specifies that victims have four years to file a legal claim against parties responsible for accidents caused by negligence. The countdown for the statute of limitations begins on the date of the accident. As you can imagine, victims have the best chances of recovering full and fair compensation the sooner they file their claims. A failure to meet the statute of limitations can result in a legal claim being thrown out, preventing victims from litigating their case if a settlement is not reached with the at-fault’s insurance company.

In addition to the statute of limitations, it is important to understand the liability laws of Florida. Many motorcyclists believe they may be found at-fault due to the fact that they were not wearing helmets or other protective gear at the time of their accidents. Although this fact can have some impact on a victim’s ability to recover, it is only one element of a legal claim.

In general, courts are not allowed to consider the liability of the plaintiff unless the defendant specifically introduces it. This requirement can be found under the Florida Statute §768.81, which specifies the process used to determine if the plaintiff shares any liability and how much. Under this statute, courts can assign a certain percentage of liability to the plaintiff, which will result in a reduction of the compensation they receive. Working with a skilled motorcycle accident attorney in Jacksonville will help you present a solid legal argument in support of your claim.

Our team at The Law Offices of Sheftall & Associates refutes these types of claims for victims and presents effective arguments that help victims maximize their recoverable damages. Our aggressive and knowledgeable accident injury attorneys stop at nothing to ensure victims are presenting a case deserving of collecting full and fair compensation from those who have caused them harm. Contact our law firm at your earliest convenience to see how we can assist you.

The Law Offices of Sheftall & Associates Can Assist You

Approximately 30 people are injured in motorcycle accidents in and around Florida on a daily basis. These accidents are often preventable, yet we continue to see the overwhelming consequences of negligent drivers who are sharing the road. Countless riders harmed in motorcycle accidents require extensive hospitalizations that last several days, weeks, or even months while they obtain the medical treatment they need for their injuries. Unfortunately, injured motorcyclists are often required to endure many months of painful therapy to recover. The unfortunate truth is that victims of motorcycle accidents are at an increased risk of being left with permanent disabilities due to their accidents. When motorcyclists are harmed in accidents, due to the irresponsible actions of others, they should contact a motorcycle accident attorney in Jacksonville to explore the legal options available to them.

Over the years, our astute personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Sheftall & Associates have helped numerous victims get the justice they deserve after being harmed in motorcycle accidents due to the negligent and reckless actions of others. Our attorneys provide trusted and proven legal representation to those harmed in accidents across northeastern Florida to ensure they are able to hold wrongdoers accountable. Our team provides aggressive representation to support accident victims in obtaining full and fair compensation for their legal claims. We work diligently to ensure those harmed are able to get the medical treatment they need and take care of their financial burdens as they recover. Contact our personal injury attorneys in Jacksonville by calling (904) 647-2296 at your earliest convenience. Schedule a free no obligations consultation to explore legal options available for you.