For some, riding a motorcycle is a way to commute. For others, it’s a way to unwind and forget about the stresses of daily life. No matter why someone rides, they don’t expect that they will be the victim of an accident when they take to the open road. Sadly, this is what happens to thousands of riders each year.
As a trusted Coral Gables motorcycle accident lawyer team, we know that motorcycle wreck injuries can be debilitating and have lasting effects. Victims should be able to concentrate on their recovery, not on their declining financial stability. We believe that at-fault parties should be held accountable for their negligence. Reach out to our office today to schedule a free case evaluation.
If you have been injured in Coral Gables, call our office at (786) 220-2990 or contact us online at your convenience or visit us in person at 120 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134 to discover more about your legal rights as the victim of a motorcycle accident.
Relentless Representation for Coral Gables Motorcycle Accident Victims
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we know what it takes to win for our clients. We have been representing victims for more than two decades, holding negligent parties accountable for their poor decisions.
We don’t believe that any victim should face financial ruin. Unfortunately, that is exactly what can happen following an accident. Often, medical bills begin to pile up and returning to work is impossible. Call our office today to speak with a legal representative about your case. We promise to fight for you and protect your rights throughout every step of the legal process.
We are proud of the results we have achieved for our clients. Your settlement or verdict will vary depending on the unique circumstances of your accident. To provide you with examples, our results have included:
- $11.1 million verdict in an Okeechobee motorcycle accident case
- $1.4 million settlement for motorcycle accident victim
- $1 million verdict for slip and fall victim
- $5.5 million verdict for crime victim
- $8.197 million verdict for truck accident victim
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
The immediate aftermath of a crash can be overwhelming, but knowing how to act can make a difference in both your recovery and your legal case.
- Ensure Your Safety and Seek Medical Attention
Move to a safe location, assess your injuries, and seek immediate medical attention—even for minor injuries. Getting checked ensures prompt treatment and helps document your injuries for your case. - Report the Accident to Law Enforcement
In Florida, you are required to report accidents with significant damage or injuries. A police report provides crucial evidence for your case. - Document the Scene and Gather Evidence
Take photos of the scene, vehicles, injuries, and any damage. Collect contact information from witnesses and get the other party’s insurance details. - Contact Your Insurance Provider
Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Be careful not to admit fault, and provide all necessary details to your insurer. - Consult an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Contact a personal injury lawyer who specializes in motorcycle accidents. Legal representation ensures you receive fair compensation and helps navigate complex insurance claims. - Avoid Social Media and Public Discussions
Refrain from posting about the accident online or discussing details with others, as it can affect your case. - Monitor Your Recovery and Keep Records
Keep detailed records of medical treatments, appointments, and how your injuries affect daily activities. These are essential for calculating damages.
Acting quickly and following these steps can protect your legal rights and improve your chances of securing fair compensation.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
In 2023, there were 1,290 motorcycle crashes in Miami-Dade County including Coral Gables, resulting in 64 fatalities and 1,023 injuries, according to Florida Traffic Crash Reports. These statistics highlight the significant risks motorcyclists face on the road and the high probability of getting injured.
Injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident are often severe. A motorcycle simply cannot absorb the force of being struck by a larger vehicle. In many cases, riders and passengers are thrown from the bike, striking the ground or other stationary objects. Injuries commonly suffered in a motorcycle accident include:
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Sprains
- Torn ligaments
- Fractured or broken bones
- Spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
Many people wonder how they can protect themselves when riding a motorcycle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are a few safety precautions you can take while on the road. These are:
- Wearing the proper protection
- Riding responsibly
- Maintaining sobriety
While you can’t control the actions of other drivers on the road, you can control your own. Not every precaution you take will protect you 100% of the time, but each will go a long way to helping prevent unnecessary accidents.
Types of Negligence That Can Cause a Motorcycle Accident
While some motorcycle accidents are caused by the decisions of the operator, many motorcycle riders are the victims of someone else’s negligence on the road. Common types of negligence that can lead to a motorcycle crash include:
- Following Too Closely: Riding too close to another car or truck can result in a fender bender, but bumping into a motorcycle can cause life-threatening injuries at any speed.
- Aggressive Lane Changes: People often act carelessly when passing or maneuvering around motorcycles. Motorcycles and other two-wheeled vehicles are entitled to their own lane, yet many drivers “lane split” when passing or just get far too close in general.
- Turning Left in Front of Oncoming Traffic: The biggest source of woe for motorcycles is a vehicle making a left turn in front of them, causing a “t-bone” collision. Many drivers have trouble estimating the speed and distance needed to turn past a motorcycle, leading them to turn right into the rider’s path.
- Driving Drowsy or Under the Influence: Driving requires you to be mentally and physically engaged. When a driver has been drinking, has been using drugs, or has not gotten enough sleep, they can make decisions that end up hurting motorcyclists.
- Failure to Yield Right of Way: Whether because they failed to see the motorcycle or they misjudged timing, many people will cut in front of motorcycles despite the latter having the right of way. This can lead to serious intersection collisions.
- Speeding: Speed is a factor in many motorcycle accidents, especially when both the injury victim and the other driver were speeding. Speeding not only makes an accident more likely but also more deadly.
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Florida
When you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, the law in Florida is clear: your rights matter. Understanding the regulations that affect your case can make all the difference in securing the compensation you deserve. There are some main pillars of the Florida law that apply to motorcycle accidents.
Comparative Negligence in Florida
Florida follows a comparative negligence rule, which means that if you are partially at fault in an accident, your compensation will be reduced according to your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for the accident, your settlement would be reduced by 20%. In cases where another driver’s negligence led to the crash, but you share some responsibility, understanding how comparative negligence works will be crucial to ensuring you receive fair compensation.
Helmet Laws and Safety Regulations
Florida’s helmet law differentiates between riders under 21 and those over 21. Riders under 21 are required to wear helmets at all times, while those over 21 can choose to ride without one—if they have the appropriate medical insurance that meets state standards. Although this provides flexibility, not wearing a helmet significantly increases the risk of severe head injuries. This could affect the outcome of your case, particularly if a head injury could have been avoided with proper protection.
Helmet Laws and Safety Regulations
Florida’s helmet law differentiates between riders under 21 and those over 21. Riders under 21 are required to wear helmets at all times, while those over 21 can choose to ride without one—if they have the appropriate medical insurance that meets state standards. Although this provides flexibility, not wearing a helmet significantly increases the risk of severe head injuries. This could affect the outcome of your case, particularly if a head injury could have been avoided with proper protection.
Florida’s helmet law differentiates between riders under 21 and those over 21. Riders under 21 are required to wear helmets at all times, while those over 21 can choose to ride without one—if they have the appropriate medical insurance that meets state standards. Although this provides flexibility, not wearing a helmet significantly increases the risk of severe head injuries. This could affect the outcome of your case, particularly if a head injury could have been avoided with proper protection.
Insurance Requirements
Unlike car accidents, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance does not apply to motorcycle accidents in Florida. This means that motorcyclists must rely on other forms of insurance, such as Medical Payments (MedPay), to cover medical bills. If you are seriously injured in an accident, this insurance can help cover immediate medical costs. However, if you do not carry sufficient coverage, you have the right to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party to recover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Hit-and-Run Accidents
Florida law requires you to report any hit-and-run accident to law enforcement immediately. If the driver responsible for your accident cannot be identified, your own insurance may cover your injuries through uninsured motorist coverage, but only if you have this type of coverage on your policy. Without it, you may be left without compensation if the at-fault driver is never found. It’s essential to understand the value of having uninsured motorist coverage in place before riding, as this can provide financial protection in the event of a hit-and-run.
Summing up, Florida’s laws protect your right to seek compensation, but the process can be complex and difficult to navigate alone. Whether it’s negotiating with insurance companies or pursuing legal action, having an experienced Coral Gables motorcycle accident attorney is key to ensuring your case is handled effectively.
Compensation in Motorcycle Accident Cases
When a motorbike accident leads to injury or, tragically, a wrongful death, securing compensation becomes essential to addressing the aftermath. Florida law offers avenues for both injured victims and the families of those killed in motorcycle crashes to seek justice and financial recovery. The compensation process varies depending on the severity of the injuries, the circumstances of the accident, and who is determined to be at fault. Usually, compensation is of two types:
Economic Damages: Medical Bills and Lost Wages
In the case of bike injury, the economic damages can quickly add up, including medical bills, surgery costs, rehabilitation, and long-term care. If your injuries prevent you from returning to work, you may be entitled to compensation for the wages lost both in the short term and in the future. In serious cases, where the victim’s ability to work is permanently impaired, the compensation might include loss of future earnings. These economic losses can be significant, and it is essential to gather all medical and employment records to ensure that every cost is covered.
Non-Economic Damages: Pain and Suffering
Along with economic losses, non-economic damages also play a major role in a motorcycle accident claim. These damages compensate victims for physical pain, emotional suffering, and the impact on their daily life. Florida law allows compensation for the pain endured as a result of the injuries, the emotional distress caused by permanent disabilities, and even the loss of enjoyment of life. These types of damages are subjective and often require detailed evidence from medical professionals and testimony from loved ones to support the claim.
Wrongful Death Claims in Motorcycle Accidents
If a loved one has tragically died in a motorcycle accident, the law allows the surviving family members to pursue wrongful death claims. Under Florida law, these claims can be brought by the deceased person’s spouse, children, or parents, depending on the circumstances. Compensation in wrongful death cases may include funeral and burial expenses, the loss of financial support, and the emotional suffering experienced by the family. Florida’s wrongful death statute (Section 768.19) allows families to seek justice for their loss, providing them with a means to hold the responsible party accountable for their negligence.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, our personal injury attorneys team is committed to fighting for your rights. Whether you are seeking compensation for injuries or pursuing a wrongful death claim, we’ll be by your side, advocating for your best interests every step of the way.
Why Choose Steinger, Greene & Feiner as Your Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Coral Gables
Whether you are pursuing compensation for injuries or filing a wrongful death claim, an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can guide you through the complex process. Navigating insurance policies, gathering the necessary evidence, and negotiating with insurance companies requires in-depth knowledge of Florida’s laws. Our motorcycle crash attorneys will work to ensure that you are not taken advantage of, whether by the insurance companies or by the parties at fault, and that your claim is pursued with the care and attention it deserves.
We believe in the rights of motorcycle accident victims. We have won verdicts totaling in the millions for some of our clients, and we have accomplished this by making each case a priority.
Our Coral Gables personal injury lawyers fight relentlessly to achieve fair and equitable settlements and, when necessary, aren’t afraid to take a case in front of a judge and jury. We know the types of legal strategies to use in your case to ensure its success. Call us at for a free consultation or reach out to our law office today, and we’ll discover how we can put our knowledge and experience to work for you.
Areas We Operate in Coral Gables and Nearby Locations
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we proudly serve clients across Coral Gables and the surrounding areas, providing expert legal representation for motorcycle accident victims. Our team is ready to assist individuals in the following locations:
- Coral Gables
- Miami
- Kendall
- South Miami
- Coconut Grove
- Pinecrest
- Westchester
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in any of these areas, contact our office to discuss your case and get the legal help you need. We’re here to fight for your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.