Orlando Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents can quickly turn a normal day into a life-or-death situation. Motorcycles carry inherent risks, and Orlando motorcycle accident lawyers see firsthand the severe injuries they can cause. Steinger, Greene & Feiner is an award-winning Orlando motorcycle accident attorney that has collected over $1 Billion for more than 32,000 clients.

Steinger, Greene & Feiner offers a free, no-obligation consultation, providing immediate guidance when you need it most. Our experienced personal injury lawyers will help you make informed decisions and support you through each step of the process. Call (407) 289-0020.

Motorcycle Accidents Statistics & Causes

According to Florida Traffic Crash Reports, 524 motorcycle crashes, including 25 fatalities, occurred in Orange County in 2023 out of a total of 9,270 injury crashes across Florida. Motorcycle helmet use has increased from 54% in 2010 to 71% in 2019 (III). The 2022 FLHSMV Crash Facts report shows that riders with DOT-compliant helmets had significantly lower fatality and incapacitating injury rates than those without helmets. For example, DOT-compliant helmets were associated with 315 driver fatalities and 941 incapacitating injuries, while no helmet use resulted in 255 fatalities and 758 incapacitating injuries for drivers. This data underscores the protective effect of DOT-compliant helmets in reducing serious injuries and fatalities in motorcycle accidents.

Riding a motorcycle safely requires ensuring the vehicle’s optimal condition before each ride and wearing proper riding gear. However, despite precautions, motorcycle accidents continue to occur annually due to some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents:

• Open car doors
• Speeding
• Lane splitting
• Unsafe lane changes
• Driving under the influence
• Sudden stops
• Left-turn accidents
• Inexperienced drivers
• Dangerous road conditions
• Motorcycle defects.

Injuries and Their Impact on Damages

Motorcycle accidents often lead to severe injuries that affect every part of a person’s life, from physical health to financial stability. Here’s a closer look at the most common injuries and their associated damages:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): TBIs are a major risk for motorcyclists and can lead to cognitive impairment, memory loss, and long-term disability. Damages for TBIs often cover extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and compensation for future income loss due to reduced earning capacity.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, leading to permanent disability and a need for lifetime care. Damages typically include compensation for medical expenses, home modifications, physical therapy, and loss of earning potential, as well as compensation for pain and suffering due to reduced quality of life.
• Broken Bones: Fractures in motorcycle accidents are often severe, sometimes requiring multiple surgeries and extensive physical therapy. Damages for broken bones may cover immediate medical costs, follow-up treatments, and rehabilitation, as well as lost wages during the recovery period.
• Road Rash and Skin Damage: Road rash occurs when the rider slides along the pavement, often resulting in deep abrasions that may lead to infection and scarring. Damages for road rash may cover wound care, plastic surgery for severe scarring, and compensation for pain and emotional distress, especially if scarring is extensive.
• Internal Injuries: Internal bleeding and organ damage are common and can require emergency surgery and intensive care. Damages for these injuries cover surgery costs, hospital stays, follow-up treatment, and compensation for time missed from work.
• Amputations: In severe crashes, limbs may be crushed or damaged beyond repair, leading to amputation. Damages often include extensive medical expenses, prosthetic devices, ongoing rehabilitation, and compensation for loss of earning potential and physical and emotional pain.

Each of these injuries carries substantial financial, physical, and emotional costs. Damages awarded in such cases aim to cover both immediate and long-term expenses, providing support for recovery, rehabilitation, and a return to daily life.

If you are in a similar situation, you might not be able to know where to begin. That’s why our team at Steinger, Greene & Feiner is looking forward to your well-being by helping you recover from an accident while riding a motorcycle.

What damages you can get from a motorcycle accident?

You can have 2 types of motorcycle accident claims, namely:

• Property damage claim for the damages to the motorcycle. You can do this if you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident with another driver and he or she was the one at fault. Thus, you can seek compensation from the insurance company of that driver. Otherwise, you can make a claim against your own insurance company if no other person is involved.
• Personal injury claim will cover injury to your body and other related losses due to the accident caused by the other driver, but you have to prove that he or she was at fault.

If a motorcycle accident results in severe injuries or the tragic loss of a loved one, Florida law allows claims to cover the wide range of resulting damages. An experienced Orlando attorney can help you pursue compensation, including:

• Medical Expenses: Covers immediate and long-term healthcare costs, including hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications. For wrongful death claims, this includes final medical expenses before passing.
• Pain and Suffering: Addresses emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life due to injuries. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may claim emotional damages related to their loss.
• Lost Wages and Future Earning Potential: Compensates for lost income during recovery or, in severe cases, the reduced future earning capacity. For wrongful death, this includes the loss of financial support the deceased would have provided.
• Funeral and Burial Costs: In wrongful death claims, families can recover expenses associated with the funeral and burial, alleviating a portion of the financial burden.
• Loss of Companionship and Parental Guidance: Available in wrongful death cases, these damages compensate for the loss of emotional support, companionship, and guidance for children and spouses.
• Disfigurement, Scarring, and Home Modifications: Covers costs related to permanent scarring, disfigurement, or necessary home adjustments due to physical limitations from the accident.

In both personal injury and wrongful death cases, Florida’s two-year statute of limitations applies, so prompt action is essential. An Orlando attorney can ensure all avenues for recovery are pursued, providing support and guidance during a challenging time.

What to Do When You Get Hurt in a Motorcycle Wreck in Orlando

1. Prioritize Safety and Call 911
   Immediately after a motorcycle accident, ensure your safety and call 911. Emergency responders will assess injuries, and law enforcement will create an official accident report. Even if injuries seem minor, a medical evaluation is critical. Florida law often relies on medical documentation to substantiate injury claims.
2. Document the Accident Scene
   While at the scene, gather as much evidence as possible. Take photos of the accident scene, vehicles involved, road conditions, and any visible injuries. These images can provide valuable support for your claim. Exchange contact details with other drivers and any witnesses, as their statements may play a key role later. Avoid discussing fault; statements made under stress can affect your claim.
3. Seek Medical Attention
   Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, so it’s essential to have a full medical evaluation after the accident. This medical documentation can be crucial to supporting your case and securing compensation for medical costs and recovery needs.
4. Consult an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney
   Florida operates under a modified comparative negligence rule, where even minor admissions of fault can reduce your compensation. Consult an attorney as soon as possible to help preserve your rights and guide you through complex insurance negotiations. An attorney can manage communications with insurers, gather additional evidence, and ensure your claim aligns with Orlando’s specific legal standards.
5. File Your Claim Within the Legal Timeframe
   Florida’s statute of limitations for motorcycle accidents is two years from the accident date. Your attorney will help ensure all documentation is filed within this timeframe, so you retain the right to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Taking these steps after a motorcycle accident in Orlando protects both your health and your legal claim, setting a strong foundation for fair compensation while you focus on recovery.

What to Expect From Steinger, Greene & Feiner

Naturally, riders seriously injured in a motorcycle accident need help from legal counsel to maximize the overall value of the lawsuit or injury claim. Others may think that hiring an Orlando motorcycle accident attorney to represent the case in court is not necessary because it can only cost them money.

On the contrary, hiring one will enable you to receive huge settlements and financial rewards compared to those who choose to represent themselves. When you hire one of our motorbike crash attorneys, we will assist you immediately in:

• Filing a personal injury claim in which an attorney can walk you through the legal process
• Getting help in establishing the fault in the motorcycle accident
• Having someone looking out for your interests while you can hardly represent yourself in court
• Taking advantage of expert knowledge

Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Orlando

Insurance Requirements

Florida excludes motorcyclists from the usual Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage, which means riders often need to rely on the at-fault party’s insurance or their own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. This setup makes establishing fault essential to securing compensation. An experienced attorney can help ensure that evidence is properly gathered to strengthen your case.

Comparative Negligence

Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule can reduce or bar compensation if a rider shares any fault. If the injured rider is more than 50% responsible, they’re unable to recover damages from the other party. This places importance on clear evidence, like accident reports and witness statements, to establish the other party’s liability.

Statute of Limitations

Recently, Florida’s statute of limitations for motorcycle injury claims was reduced from four years to two. This time limit underscores the need for prompt action after an accident to ensure the right to compensation. Wrongful death claims remain at a two-year limit, making early consultation with an attorney vital to protecting your legal options.

Helmet Laws

Florida requires motorcyclists under 21 to wear helmets, while those over 21 may ride without one if they hold $10,000 in medical coverage. However, in cases of head injuries, lack of a helmet can affect claims, as insurers may argue contributory negligence to reduce payouts. DOT-certified helmets offer substantial protection and are highly recommended.

Safety Regulations

Additional safety measures like proper lighting and signaling are legally required for motorcyclists in Orlando. Adhering to these rules not only protects riders but also supports their legal position should a claim be necessary. By staying compliant, motorcyclists strengthen their case if an accident occurs.

Orlando’s motorcycle laws protect riders and set clear legal standards, making it essential to understand these regulations. With an Orlando motorcycle crash attorney, you can ensure your rights are safeguarded and take steps to achieve the compensation you deserve.

Liability in Motorcycle Accidents

In Florida, motorcycle accident liability relies on a modified comparative negligence rule: if you’re partially at fault, your compensation reduces by your percentage of fault, and if you’re over 50% responsible, recovery may be barred. Proving the other party’s liability requires solid evidence, including police reports and witness statements, to counter common tactics by insurers that aim to place undue blame on motorcyclists.

Liability often extends beyond the driver involved. Poor road conditions or defective motorcycle parts can mean other parties, like government entities or manufacturers, share responsibility. In these cases, your attorney can identify all potential parties to pursue full compensation.

An attorney’s expertise is vital in building a clear case, addressing contributory negligence arguments, and ensuring your claim highlights the responsible party’s actions. Proper support helps secure fair compensation, holding the liable party accountable for the impact on your life.

Let Us Take This Burden & Get Your Settlement

Each and every motorcycle accident case is unique, but each case also has a set of underlying principles that our attorneys use to ensure we can get the best possible result for you. For over 23 years our attorneys have made it their mission to get you the compensation you deserve.

Speak to an Orlando motorcycle accident lawyer right now and find out how we can help you: (407) 289-0020. You will leave our office saying I Love My Attorney.

Start here. Let us take some of that burden and ensure that you are taken care of physically and financially. Steinger, Greene & Feiner offers live chat consultation at no cost. An Orlando motorcycle accident attorney is just a phone call away: (407) 289-0020.

Our legal team will provide guidance and help you understand the process of how to seek a bicycle accident claim. With Steinger, Greene & Feiner’s motorcycle accident attorneys, you will have someone who will help all the way through – from dealing with insurance companies and doctors to all the paperwork you need to submit.

Peace of mind is just a phone call away. One of our legal team will ask a few questions and learn more about your case.

Visit us at our Orlando location at 2101 Park Center Drive, Suite 160, Orlando, FL 32835.