Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Fort Lauderdale, FL

We know a motorcycle accident can instantly change your life. Meldon Law’s Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyers are here to help you through the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that follow.

Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys proudly represent injured motorcyclists in and around the Fort Lauderdale area and help protect their rights as accident victims. We are a force to be reckoned with, inside and outside the courtroom, and we aren’t afraid to fight for the rights of injured motorcycle riders in Florida.

If you’ve been in a bike wreck, don’t wait to protect your rights. Contact Meldon Law now for your free case evaluation.

Why Work With the Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Meldon Law?

We’ve been protecting the rights of injured people in Florida for more than 50 years. At Meldon Law, we pride ourselves on:

• Compassion
• Accountability
• Reliability
• Excellence
• Our drive for success

Our Fort Lauderdale motorcycle wreck attorneys are a force to be reckoned with, both inside and outside the courtroom.

With a reputation for exceptional results in all the injury cases we take on, we have successfully managed and won dozens of personal injury cases in Fort Lauderdale, including car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death claims, and more.

Our satisfied clients and their testimonials reflect our unwavering commitment to securing justice and ensuring the best possible outcomes for those we represent.

We will take on your fight like it was our own. However, we don’t stop there. We are completely dedicated to our clients and helping them understand the legal process. Knowing your legal rights and how the law works is important for everyone. Our firm devotes a significant amount of time to sharing our knowledge through multiple outlets, including:

• Consumer guides
• Books
• Podcasts
• Blogs
• Our weekly legal talk show
• Our Meldon Law newsletter

What You Can Expect When You Choose Our Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Meldon Law

You deserve to have an experienced law firm on your side that is ready to treat you like family and fight for the compensation you deserve from all possible parties. At Meldon Law, our motorcycle accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale believe you should focus on healing and recovery. We serve our clients with compassion and integrity as we:

• Investigate the accident to determine the cause and identify the liable party or parties
• Assist in compiling a strong and detailed insurance claim
• Negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company or companies for the settlement you deserve
• Prepare for trial and represent you in court

Our team understands the unique challenges that motorcycle accident victims face, both physically and financially. We know that the road to recovery can be long and difficult, which is why we are dedicated to providing personalized attention and support throughout the legal process. From the moment you contact our firm, you can expect to be treated with respect, compassion, and understanding.

We will take the time to listen to your story, answer your questions, and provide you with honest advice about your legal options. Our motorcycle accident attorneys’ goal is to help you secure the compensation and resources you need to move forward with your life while holding the responsible parties accountable for their actions.

Compensation Our Lawyers Can Help You Recover After a Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Florida consistently ranks in the top three states for the number of fatalities resulting from motorcycle accidents, per the Florida Department of Transportation.

Even those who survive their accidents often suffer severe or catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or crush injuries.

If you suffered injuries or a loved one lost their life in a motorcycle crash, the at-fault party may owe you compensation for your losses. You may be able to recover compensation for:

Economic Damages

These damages are those with a (typically) straightforward monetary value.

Medical Bills

Motorcycle injuries can require emergency transport and treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitative therapy, medical equipment, medications, and more.

In addition, many injuries will continue to require treatment long after a legal case settles, so our Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident attorneys always include estimated future expenses as part of your accident-related losses.

Lost Wages

Severe injuries can require a period of rest for recovery, especially if surgery is necessary. During this time, you will likely have to take time off work. Some injuries may prevent you from working due to the nature of your job. For example, if you lift heavy objects or engage in physical activity for work, a back injury can keep you off the job until you have recovered.

In either case, most people do not have enough paid time off to cover the time they need and, therefore, lose a substantial amount of income.

Loss of Future Earnings

Your injuries may make it impossible for you to return to your job, potentially requiring you to accept a lower-paying position or not return to work at all. Your Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyers can include your reduced earning capacity in your claim.

Property Loss

Motorcycle crashes usually damage the bike, sometimes beyond repair. We include the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle and any other personal property damaged during the crash in your claim.

Non-Economic Damages

These losses are more subjective in their value and can include:

• Physical pain and suffering from injuries
• Mental trauma from the accident and injuries
• Permanent impairments or disabilities
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Lost enjoyment of life

Our Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident attorneys will help you calculate the costs associated with these losses and include them in your accident claim. See what we can recover for you today.

Wrongful Death Damages Survivors Can Claim After a Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Fort Lauderdale

If your loved one passed away in a motorcycle crash, please accept our sympathies. We know money cannot replace the person you lost, but your loved one would want you to be financially secure, if possible.

If someone’s negligence caused your loved one’s passing, certain family members and the decedent’s estate may pursue damages, such as:

• Loss of support and services
• Loss of companionship and protection
• Loss of parental companionship and guidance
• Funeral and burial costs
• Medical costs
• Loss of future earnings
• Pain and suffering

Florida Statutes § 768.21 specifies who may seek damages and what damages they may recover in a wrongful death case. Our Fort Lauderdale wrongful death attorneys will review the law with you and your family to determine if pursuing wrongful death damages is appropriate for your case.

How Our Bike Crash Attorneys Determine Negligence and Liability in a Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Claim

One of the first concerns Meldon Law’s Fort Lauderdale motorcycle collision lawyers will address is liability. Florida law allows motorcyclists to hold negligent parties responsible for the harm they cause in accidents. Your attorney will work to identify and calculate your damages and determine whom you can hold liable for those losses.

Some examples of negligence that may lead to a motorcycle crash include:

• Distracted driving
• Drunk or impaired driving
• Aggressive driving
• Violation of traffic laws
• Turning left without checking the intersection first
• Failing to look for a motorcycle in a blind spot
• Failing to yield the right-of-way
• Failing to share the road
• Dangerous roads
• Defective motorcycle or parts

Negligent parties may include other negligent drivers, motorcycle manufacturers, or even local government entities that failed to take proper care of roads.

Laws Affecting Personal Injury Lawsuits in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Several laws can affect your ability to recover the compensation you and your family need.

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury

The statute of limitations for personal injury in Florida is two years. This means you only have two years from the accident date to file an injury lawsuit. If you fail to do so, you risk recovering nothing.

Our Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident attorneys will explain how this rule may apply to your case during your evaluation.

Negligence Laws for Personal Injury

Per Florida Statutes § 768.81, Florida is a modified comparative negligence state. This means that if an injured party is more than 50% at fault for an accident, they cannot recover compensation for their losses.

Meldon Law’s Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyers can help you gather evidence to avoid unfair blame for an accident you did not cause and ensure you meet the new, shorter statute of limitations deadline. We recommend calling us as soon as possible so we have ample time to build a solid case for you.

Florida’s Helmet Law

Florida requires all riders to wear helmets unless they:

• Are 21 or older AND
• Have at least $10,000 in medical payments coverage

If you were not wearing a helmet at the time of your crash, the other party may be able to use this as evidence of negligence.

How Driver Negligence Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Motorcycle accidents in Fort Lauderdale, FL, are often caused by the negligence of other drivers on the road. Some common examples of driver negligence that lead to motorcycle accidents include:

• Failure to yield the right of way: Drivers who fail to yield to motorcyclists when turning, changing lanes, or entering a roadway can cause serious collisions.
• Distracted driving: When drivers engage in distracting activities such as texting, eating, or adjusting the radio, they may fail to notice motorcyclists, leading to accidents.
• Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to react to changing traffic conditions and increases the likelihood of losing control of their vehicle, putting motorcyclists at risk.
• Following too closely: Drivers who tailgate or follow motorcyclists too closely may not have sufficient time to brake or avoid a collision if the motorcyclist needs to slow down or stop suddenly.
• Impaired driving: Drivers under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications that cause drowsiness or impairment pose a significant threat to motorcyclists, as their judgment and reaction times are compromised.
• Unsafe lane changes: When drivers change lanes without properly checking their blind spots or signaling, they may collide with motorcyclists who are less visible than larger vehicles.
• Disregarding traffic signals or signs: Drivers who run red lights, stop signs, or fail to obey other traffic control devices put motorcyclists at risk of serious accidents.
• Failing to account for weather or road conditions: Drivers who do not adjust their driving behavior to accommodate adverse weather conditions, such as rain or fog, or poor road conditions, like potholes or uneven surfaces, can cause accidents involving motorcyclists.

When driver negligence causes a motorcycle accident in Fort Lauderdale, FL, injured motorcyclists may have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help investigate the cause of the accident and gather evidence of negligence.

Fort Lauderdale Is Dangerous for Riders

Florida’s beach roads and gorgeous weather make for perfect motorcycle riding. But accidents happen, and in Fort Lauderdale, our stretch of I-95 is known as the “deadliest mile in America.”

According to recent crash statistics published by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the following occurred in 2023 in the Sunshine State:

• 9,548 crashes involving a motorcycle
• 8,191 injuries to motorcyclists
• 621 motorcyclist fatalities

Broward County saw:

• 763 motorcycle crashes
• 623 motorcyclist injuries
• 44 motorcyclist fatalities

Who You Can Hold Liable in a Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Crash Claim

When it comes to motorcycle accidents in Fort Lauderdale, there are several parties who may be held liable for the resulting injuries and damages, depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Some of the potentially liable parties in a Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident claim include:

• Other drivers: If another driver’s negligence caused the accident, such as by failing to yield the right of way, speeding, or driving under the influence, they can be held liable for the motorcyclist’s injuries and damages.
• Vehicle or parts manufacturers: If a defective motorcycle or vehicle part contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be held responsible under product liability laws.
• Government entities: If poor road conditions, such as potholes, uneven surfaces, or inadequate signage, played a role in the accident, the government entity responsible for maintaining the road may be liable.
• Motorcycle owners or rental companies: If the motorcycle itself was not properly maintained or had known safety issues, the owner or rental company may be held accountable.
• Bars or restaurants: In cases where a drunk driver who isn’t of lawful drinking age causes an accident, the establishment that overserved the driver may be held liable under dram shop laws.
• Employers: If the at-fault driver was operating a vehicle within the scope of their employment at the time of the accident, their employer may be vicariously liable for the driver’s actions.

To determine who can be held liable in your specific Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident claim, talk to an experienced attorney. We can investigate the accident, gather evidence, and identify all potentially liable parties to ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve.

Our Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help You Today

After a motorcycle accident, you may not know where to turn. Please understand that our legal team is here to help. Meldon Law’s Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyers regularly meet with motorcycle accident victims to evaluate their rights, and we have helped many clients recover compensation for their losses.

We provide representation you can trust and will keep you updated on all developments in your case. Consultations are always free and have no obligation, so please contact us today to get started.

Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Lawyer FAQs

After a motorcycle accident, you likely have many questions. Here are just a few of the questions we often hear from motorcycle accident victims in Fort Lauderdale: