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Car and Motorcycle Accidents

Here are 10 things you need to know if you have just been badly injured in a car or motorcycle accident.

1. Insurance adjusters are trained professionals and they are NOT always on your side.  They are trained to save the insurance company, their employer, money in any way they can and have many tactics to do so.
2. Get medical care as soon as possible after an accident and do not miss appointments.   Insurance adjusters know that jurors expect seriously injured accident victims to go to the doctor right a way and on a regular basis.
3. Do not lie or withhold information from your doctor or lawyer, you will be caught and it can be devastating to your case & credibility.  Be honest. 
4. Do not sign any insurance company documents, papers, medical authorization forms, release of personal information forms without speaking with an attorney first.
5. The insurance adjuster may ask you to make a recorded statement or interview about your injuries.  Beware!  Talk to a lawyer first.
6. Keep track of all medical treatments, visits, and procedures you received after your injury.  Make a file with dates.
7. Evidence can get "cold". Consult an experienced personal injury/accident lawyer right away if you are seriously injured.
8. You may not need a lawyer to represent you in a small injury case- but remember most lawyers' initial consultations are free.
9. You have not just won the lottery just because you were in an accident.  This is a myth.
10. All lawyers and law offices are not the same nor equal!
     

Most people seriously injured in accidents probably thought it would never happen to them.

Trying to cope with a serious accident, injuries, medical bills and uncooperative insurance companies is difficult.  What is even more frustrating is when the accident was caused by someone else's negligence.  If you or a family member has been involved in a Florida car or motorcycle accident the time to get help is now by getting an experienced, state of the art, law firm working on your side.  The Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon is based in Gainesville, Florida and for over 30 years has been representing those who have been seriously injured in car and motorcycle accidents in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Inverness and all over North Florida.

Jeffrey Meldon is a proud member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Which is one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States.  Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million dollar verdicts and settlements.  Fewer than 1% of lawyers in the country are members.

Start by educating yourself so you do not become a victim a second time.

I wrote the book, The Seven Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Florida Accident Case based on my 37 years of helping injured victims get their lives back together and the justice they deserve. 

I strongly urge you to request my book or call my office and have it sent to you today; it's all free and without any obligation. 

Be educated!  Be aware!

The repercussions of a car or motorcycle crash can be extremely unfair for the victim.  It is not uncommon for an accident victim to go through an extensive recovery process and to not be able to return to work.  As a result, victims and their family members frequently experience severe financial hardships, as bills continue to go unpaid, medical expenses increase and income drops. 

An injured victim has legal rights and may be compensated for the following:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Past and future lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Studies have shown that accident victims receive 3.5 times more compensation if they are represented by an attorney. 

Contact the Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon at (800) 373-8000 or (352) 373-8000. 

Florida law requires that the person who is responsible for the motorcycle or car accident to pay for repairs and medical treatment.  The rights of an accident victim differ depending on if the crash involved a motorcycle or car.  Each type of accident has its own complexities and requires a deep understanding of the law.  That is why you need the help of an experienced Florida car accident lawyer.  It can be overwhelming trying to choose the right lawyer and it is the biggest decision you will make that will impact your case. 

To have the best possible outcome you need a top law firm that:

• Handles car and motorcycle accident cases regularly
• Has extensive experience practicing law
• Understands the medical aspects of the injuries involved
• Is willing to go to trial
• Excels in client communication
• Understands what clients are going through and truly cares
• Is present in the community

"Personal Injury accident attorney Jeffrey Meldon and his highly trained and knowledgeable accident lawyers and staff have these characteristics and more." 

As a client of our law firm, you are treated as a person and not just another case.  We have compassion for every client, which is shown through our commitment. See what some of our clients have to say about us. 

 At the Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon:

 ***We do not take on every case that comes our way, which allows us to devote the time and resources necessary to get the best outcome possible and to make ourselves available to our clients when they need us. 

***You will never be left in the dark regarding the status of your case.  

***We hold a high value on communication because not only will it give you peace of mind, but communication is vital to the success of your case.

As our client, you will be able to personally speak with your car accident attorney!  Plus:

***Only our experienced lawyers will prepare and negotiate your case, not secretaries or paralegals. 

***We utilize our substantial resources and spare no expense or time to ensure a successful outcome to your case.  

***Our car and motorcycle accident lawyers consult with the best available experts in accident reconstruction. 

***We use this information, plus the latest technology in negotiation and litigation to work on getting you the compensation you deserve.

Many individuals involved in motor vehicle collisions will try to go through the insurance companies to settle their cases.  Insurance companies most likely will not provide fair compensation, and will try to give them "low ball" offers.  Frequently, the settlement is not even enough to replace the damaged vehicle.  

The car and motorcycle accident attorneys at the Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon will make sure that you are not taken advantage of by the insurance companies.  

We are experienced in helping seriously injured victims with:

• Head and brain injury trauma
• Neck and spine dislocations, fractures and trauma
• Broken shoulder, arm and wrist and dislocations
• Pelvis fractures
• Broken leg, knee, ankle and foot breaks and trauma
• Post Traumatic Syndrome
• Multi injuries 

Contact the Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon at (800) 373-8000 or (352) 373-8000 immediately if you have been involved in a serious auto accident. 

We are in your community and are here to help.

We proudly handle cases that occur on all roads in the area including: I-75, I-10, I-95, U.S. Route 301, U.S. Route 441, State Road 40, State Road 26, State Road 24, Archer Road, Main St, and University Avenue.  Our law firm has also been representing cases in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Inverness, Palatka, Crystal River, Daytona Beach, Interlachen, Spring Hill, Dunnellon, Bunnell, Live Oak, Starke, Jasper, Cross City, Perry, Trenton,  Leesberg,  Lake Butler,  Tavares, Chiefland, Bronson, Brooksville, The Villages and the counties of Alachua, Marion, Columbia, Citrus, Volusia, Sumter, Levy, Lake, Bradford, Flagler, Hamilton, Dixie, Gilchrist, Union, Hernando, Suwannee, Union, and Putnam since 1971.

We take pride in our work and in the results we get for our clients

Blog for Car and Motorcycle Accidents

• The 69th Daytona Bike Week is underway with its first fatality reported.
• Buckle - Up! Over the next two weeks and every week!
• Four Reasons You Should Have Bodily Injury Liability Insurance Coverage
• Drivers Aren't the Only Ones Distracted; Pedestrians are too!
• Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys May be able to Prove PIP Insurance Fraud.
• Your Vehicle Does Not Have to Look Like This To Be Dangerously Overloaded!
• 5 Simple Things You Can Do To Make Your Holiday Road Trip Safer
• Good News - Floridians are now buckling up at more than the national percentage!
• A Tragic Reminder To: Keep Your Distance, Pay Attention, and Buckle Up!
• Work Zone Safety Is Everyone's Job - A Reminder
• Death of Improperly Restrained Children Observed During Baby Safety Month
• Enjoy the Fall weather - 2 things you should know to be safe and legal on your off-road vehicle
• Protect Your Child on the Road - Follow the Law & Be Safe!
• Florida Legislature Must Act Now To Prevent Deaths Caused By Drivers Who Text
• Graphic British Video Unveils the Dangers of Texting Behind the Wheel: A Must-See
• Is your most precious cargo buckled up safely?
• Marion County Bicyclist Survives Wrong Way Crash-Avoid This Common Collision Scenario
• Several Recent Fatal Pedestrian Accidents in Ocala Raise Concern About Pedestrian Safety on Day One of the New School Year; Here is Why:
• Helmet Use Might Save Your Life
• Blown tire said to be the cause of fatal accident on I-10!
• Reminder: Always buckle-up, especially on our rural roads!
• Deadly SUV roll-over accident - could it have been prevented?
• Tragedy in Alachua and a Reminder To Us All.
• Vehicle vs. wildlife - reminders for all of us.
• Lesson for auto drivers to be learned from the I-75 semi pile-up crash.
• Couldn't technology be put to better use than making our roadways less safe?
• When was the last time you checked your tires?
• Take the time to remind your teens to buckle up.
• Marion County has yet another serious car accident, this one with a fatality.
• More unbuckled teens injured in on rural roads.
• Buckle up: Odds are it just might save your life.
• Rural Driving Dangers and no Seatbelts Result in Injured Suwannee Teens
• Roll-overs - Know the Risks and Prevention
• Heads Up: Give Yourself Some Time and Space!
• Stopped Semi Truck Results in Fatal Accident in Bradford County
• Despite Tragedy - Facts Show, Seatbelts Do Save Lives.
• Teens - Buckle up... Its the Law
• Ride Safe this Summer
• Good News - On-line ATV Safety Classes.... Have a Safe Summer!
• Alcohol and Motorcycles Don't Mix
• Pick-up Drivers: Be Safe and Buckle up!
• Vehicular Homicide-what is it and what needs to be proven.
• O'Brien woman charged with Vehicular Homicide-justified or over-zealous?
• Great News! Seat Belt Use Now A Primary Offense in Florida. Also, A Heads Up...
• Bad News for Floridians on the Road: Texting and Celling Behind the Wheel Remains Legal
• Beware: Deer Do Not Carry Insurance!
• Take a Breath and Relax
• Make Sure Your Child's Car Seat is Installed Correctly
• Know the Law About Pick-up Trucks and Buckle Up!
• Deadly Rural Driving: Safety Belts Save Lives
• Rural Teen Drivers Are At Higher Risk
• Florida Teenage Safe Driving Awareness...parents and teens need to talk about these things... Part 2
• Florida Teenage Safe Driving Awareness...parents and teens need to talk about these things... Part 1
• One video says it all... everyone should watch this, no matter our age! Pay attention on the road!
• Alcohol Related Traffic Fatalities ARE Preventable!
• Baby survives deadly crash in Levy County because of being properly restrained.
• Dangers in Red Light Running
• Look Both Ways Before You Enter the Intersection
• Red light cameras: alternatives.
• Red light cameras: beware of the costs to you!
• Failure to Wear a Seat Belt Might Soon Become a Primary Offense in Florida
• Daytona Beach Bike Week 2009 is over but there are still lessons for us all to learn
• Be a responsible parent: educate your teens about traffic safety
• Deaths despite seat belt use in deadly Ocala accident
• Daytona Beach Bike Week 2009: have fun but be cautious!
• It's not just in your mind; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is real and alive in Gainesville.
• Daytona Beach Bike Week opens with a fatal motorcycle crash.
• Haven’t motorcycle riders got it tough enough? What do you think?
• Daytona Beach Bike Week: A time for extra caution.
• I don't sell insurance; I "sell" making sure you are protected.
• Driving and Texting; A Combination Deadlier Than Drinking and Driving, Hopefully, Will Become Illegal Soon In Florida.
• Floridians now is the time to protect yourself with adequate auto insurance coverage!
• Be safe, obey the law and set a good example..... BUCKLE UP Florida!
• We don't have to wait for it to be law to turn off the cell phone while driving!
• We need to get MADD about driving and cell phone use!
• UF football players can be allowed to ride motor scooters without a helmet, but when they step on the field to play... they have to put on a helmet?!
• It is time for our legistature to rethink the helmet law for Floirda!
• Florida car rental companies let off the hook by Florida Court of Appeals
• Operation Bluebird is commendable; but we need more!
• If you are going to "ride free" protect yourself; ride with adequate insurance coverage

Library for Car and Motorcycle Accidents:

• Five Deadly Motorcycle Safety Myths   
  Description: Certain "facts" about motorcycles may be dangerously wrong. Misconceptions about safety and crashes can lead to bikers increasing their chance of an accident instead of reducing it. Motorcycle accident attorney, Jeffrey Meldon, discusses some of these potentially dangerous and popular myths.
• Bodily Injury Liability Insurance 101   
  Description: In this article, personal injury lawyer, Jeffrey Meldon, discusses the basics about Bodily Injury Liability Insurance - what it is, why he recommends you purchase it and at what amounts, and gives some additional insurance tips.
• Four Factors To Keep in Mind When Keeping Your Distance   
  Description: Tailgating or following too closely is a form of aggressive driving; a group of behaviors that have shown to be a factor in at least half of all car accidents. Many factors come into play when deciding what distance you should maintain between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. In this article, accident attorney, Jeffrey Meldon, gives four important factors to keep in mind when keeping your distance.
• Top 7 Tips for Construction Zone Safety   
  Description: Florida has one of the highest numbers of deaths in construction zones in the U.S. In this article, Gainesville and Ocala accident attorney, Jeffrey Meldon, discusses what you can do to do your part to help assure construction zone safety for drivers and workers. Here are his top 7 work zone safety tips:
• The ABCs of off-road and recreational vehicle use: ATVs, ROVs, OHMs, go-karts, and golf carts.   
  Description: Florida law distinguishes several types of off-highway and recreational vehicles: ATVs, ROVs, OHMs, low-speed vehicles and golf carts. In this library article, personal injury attorney, Jeffrey Meldon, defines the various categories of off-road vehicles and gives the rules regarding their operation, according to Florida Law.
• Florida Law Regarding Child Safety Seats and Adult Seat Belt Use - Do You Know What It Says?   
  Description: Thousands of Florida residents die or incur serious injuries in traffic accidents every year. In this article, Gainesville and Ocala accident lawyer, Jeffrey Meldon, states the laws regarding seat belt and car seat use in Florida. Remember, not only is it the law, but, properly restrained passengers in age appropriate devices can help to reduce the severity of those injuries and save lives. Here are the laws for Florida:
• Car Accidents - The Most Common Cause of Whiplash   
  Description: Whiplash is most commonly caused by a motor vehicle accident and the associated neck pain may not be felt immediately. In this article, personal injury lawyer, Jeffrey Meldon, explains: what whiplash is, what causes it, what the symptoms are, and how it can be prevented.
• Here Are The Rules of The Road For Pedestrians in Florida; What Every Walker Should Know To Be Safe and Legal.   
  Description: Pedestrian accidents are included in the most fatal type of accidents along with head-on collisions, roll-over crashes and bicycle accidents. Pedestrian accidents can also result in serious injuries. While drivers have a responsibility to pay attention to prevent accidents on the road, pedestrians have equal responsibility to stay alert while walking on sidewalks or crossing the road. In this article, accident lawyer, Jeffrey Meldon discusses some rules of the road for pedestrians. Here is the information you should know to be safe and legal while sharing the roadways with vehicles:
• Turning Signals; Know the Law in Florida for Safe Driving!   
  Description: Drivers should always use directional signals to indicate their intention to turn, change lanes or pass a vehicle. Not only is it the law in Florida, proper use of turn signals is an important way to prevent road accidents. In this article, personal injury lawyer, Jeffrey Meldon discusses the laws in Florida regarding the use of their vehicle's turning signals. Here is what you should know:
• Head-on Collisions Are One of The Most Dangerous Type of Crashes; Here is Why:   
  Description: There are several common types of motor vehicle collisions: rear-end, side-swipe, T-bone, rollover, and head-on crashes to name a few. In this article, Gainesville and Ocala accident attorney, Jeffrey Meldon discusses some basic information about head-on collisions including common causes, and explains why they are such a dangerous and potentially fatal crash.

View All

Frequent Questions for Car and Motorcycle Accidents:

• Is Bodily Injury Liability insurance required in Florida?
• What is "inattention blindness" and can it be dangerous?
• My PIP benefits were just cut off and my doctor says I need more treatment after my accident in Ocala. How could this happen when I wasn't even examined by an insurance doctor?
• How much weight can my car safely hold?
• I am planning a long road trip, what should I know about drowsy driving?
• How much space should I leave between me and the car in front of me to be safe?
• What are the fines for speeding in an Ocala construction zone?
• I heard that I have to move over or slow down for a tow-truck on the side of the road with its lights flashing. Is it true?
• Can I only operate my ATV or go-kart on my property or I can actually ride it on the street in Gainesville?
• Can my children who are under 16 drive an ATV or a go-kart in Ocala?
• What are the rules in Florida regarding stopping for a school bus?
• What is the penalty for failing to stop for a school bus and are there any other consequences?
• Can I actually get a ticket if I cross the street outside of a crosswalk or if the pedestrian light is red in Gainesville, even if there are no cars around?
• There is no sidewalk on certain parts of my street in Ocala. What are the rules for walking on the road in this case?
• What is the law in Florida for using turning signals when making a turn?
• What are some ways that head-on collisions can be prevented in Gainesville and Ocala? 
• How can traumatic brain injuries be prevented?
• What do I look for in purchasing a motorcycle helmet?
• I was sitting at a stop light in Ocala and was rear-ended by another car. Is the driver that hit me responsible for my damages?
• I was driving and stopped suddenly and was rear-ended in Gainesville. Who is responsible for my damages?
• What is the difference between constitutional law, statutory law and common law in Florida?
• What is the latest news on wearing a seat belt in Alachua County? Can I be pulled over for not wearing a seat belt and if so, what is the fine?
• Is it legal for an adult to ride in the back of a pick up truck in Alachua County?
• Is it legal for a child to ride in the back of a pick up truck in Alachua County? How about if we're only driving a short distance?
• My child is 16 and has his driver's license. Is it legal for a 16 year old to decide to ride in the bed of a truck in Alachua County? How about if I give my teen my permission?
• What is the difference between criminal and civil wrongs?
  

• What can I do about my insurance questions and problems in Gainesville?

• What do I do at a four way stop? What are the rules in Gainesville?
• What do I do at a yield sign? What are the rules?
• What can I do to help make my teen child a more responsible Gainesville driver?

• What are some of the myths surrounding the use of seat belts?

• I am afraid to drive my car after my accident in Gainesville, is this normal?

• Seat belts; I hate them! Do I have to buckle up in Florida?

• What is a "seat belt defense"?
• My neighbor and lawyer have both suggested I try to resolve my accident case in mediation, what do you think and what is mediation anyway?
• What is a "Personal Injury" accident case? Also, what does a Personal Injury Lawyer do and what should I look for in a Personal Injury Attorney?

• I loaned my car to a friend in Ocala, and he got into an accident that was his fault, am I responsible?

• But, I thought I had "full coverage" on my car insurance policy...?
• Can I ride free? Do I have to wear a helmet to ride my motorcycle or motor scooter in Florida legally?
• What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Insurance and why do I need it?
• What is PIP Insurance?  What does Florida being a no-fault State mean?
• Help! I was just in a car accident/wreck/crash... what should I do?
• What is Tort Reform?  I keep hearing about it.
• I heard that I will get rich if I am in an accident; it’s like winning the lottery! Is this right?
• How much money is my accident case worth?  How can I determine the value of my personal injury case?
• The insurance adjuster is calling, asking about my injuries, and wants to take a recorded statement, he seems nice, what should I do?
• My insurance company has written me a letter ordering me to show up at their doctor’s office to determine if they are still going to pay my PIP benefits any more.   What do I do?
• Do I need to hire an attorney to help me with my accident case?
• How do I get my medical bills paid, my lost wages recovered, and my vehicle fixed?

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Seven Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Florida Accident Case

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