Ride Toward Claim Success with Our Gainesville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Meldon Law is more than a personal injury law firm; we’re your sword and shield in your fight for financial justice. We do everything in our power to help our clients secure compensation for their losses, and now, we’re ready to help you, too.
A Gainesville motorcycle accident attorney from our firm can file your claim, investigate your collision, and pursue the fairest possible outcome. Through a settlement or court award, you could recover damages for your medical bills and pain and suffering.
To begin a free case review and learn about partnering with our team, dial (352) 373-8000 or reach out to us online. We understand what you are facing in the aftermath of a motorcycle wreck, and we know how to help.
How Much Your Motorcycle Accident Claim in Gainesville May Be Worth
The value of your motorcycle accident claim is calculated based on the damages involved in your case. This is the total of all of your accident-related costs plus non-economic damages like pain and suffering or the loss of enjoyment of your life.
In one case, our Gainesville personal injury lawyers were able to secure $1,450,000 for a woman who was hit by a car while she was riding her motorcycle, resulting in her leg being amputated below the knee. You may not see the same results in your case, but we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
How Florida’s Fault Laws Can Affect Your Gainesville Motorcycle Accident Claim
In March 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 837 into law, which changed Florida’s fault laws to a modified comparative negligence system. This means if you are more than 50% responsible for a motorcycle wreck, you can’t seek compensation. If you are less than 50% responsible, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if your damage award was $100,000, but you are found to be 20% responsible for the motorcycle accident, your settlement would be $80,000.
Your percentage of fault will be determined based on investigations conducted by the other party’s insurance company and your Gainesville motorcycle accident attorney. We will explain how Florida’s laws apply to your motorcycle accident claim in Gainesville and the legal options available to you.
How Negligence Leads to Motorcycle Accident Claims in Gainesville, FL
Driver negligence is the cause of many motorcycle accidents in Gainesville, Florida. There are many ways driver carelessness can lead to injured bikers, but here are three examples of what it can look like when a driver causes a collision with a rider or cuts them off:
Distracted Driving
A distracted driver was texting while driving on University Avenue and failed to notice a motorcycle in their blind spot. As the driver changed lanes without signaling, they sideswiped the motorcycle, causing the rider to lose control and crash. The motorcyclist suffered severe road rash, multiple fractures, and a traumatic brain injury.
Driving Under the Influence
A driver under the influence of alcohol ran a red light at the intersection of Northwest 13th Street and Northwest 16th Avenue, colliding with a motorcycle that had the right of way. The impact ejected the motorcyclist from their bike, resulting in a spinal cord injury that left them paralyzed from the waist down.
Inexperienced Driving
An inexperienced driver was merging onto Interstate 75 from Newberry Road and misjudged the speed of an approaching motorcycle. The driver cut off the motorcyclist, forcing them to swerve and lose control of their bike. The motorcyclist crashed into the guardrail, sustaining multiple broken bones, internal injuries, and significant damage to their motorcycle.
In each of these scenarios, the negligence of the automobile drivers directly caused severe injuries to the motorcyclists, emphasizing the importance of attentive, responsible driving and the vulnerability of motorcyclists on the road. If driver carelessness caused your injuries, a Gainesville motorcycle accident lawyer can help see that justice is served.
Insurance Companies May Blame Riders in Gainesville Motorcycle Accident Claims
Insurance companies often employ tactics to shift blame onto motorcycle riders, even when the accident was not their fault. These strategies are designed to minimize the insurance company’s financial liability and limit the compensation paid out to the injured motorcyclist. Here are some ways insurance companies may attempt to blame motorcycle riders:
- Stereotyping and bias: Insurance companies may try to exploit common stereotypes about motorcyclists, portraying them as reckless, irresponsible, or risk-takers. They may argue that the motorcyclist’s behavior contributed to the accident, even when the facts do not support this claim.
- Questioning rider experience and training: Insurance adjusters may scrutinize the motorcyclist’s riding experience, training, and licensing to suggest that their lack of skills or knowledge caused the accident. They may use this argument to shift blame away from the at-fault driver.
- Emphasizing rider visibility: Insurance companies may contend that the motorcyclist was not visible enough to other drivers, even when the rider was wearing proper safety gear and following traffic laws. They may argue that the motorcyclist’s reduced visibility contributed to the accident.
- Disputing injury severity: In an attempt to minimize payouts, insurance companies may question the severity of the motorcyclist’s injuries, suggesting that the rider is exaggerating their symptoms or that their injuries are not a direct result of the accident.
- Manipulating statements: Insurance adjusters may try to obtain recorded statements from the motorcyclist shortly after the accident when the rider is still in shock or under the influence of pain medication. They may ask leading questions or manipulate the motorcyclist’s words to imply fault.
- Misinterpreting traffic laws: Insurance companies may misinterpret or misapply traffic laws to argue that the motorcyclist was partially or fully at fault for the accident, even when the evidence indicates otherwise.
To combat these tactics, injured motorcycle riders may want to work with Gainesville motorcycle accident attorneys who understand the challenges of motorcycle accident claims. We can gather evidence, consult with experts, and advocate for the rider’s rights to ensure fair compensation and counter any attempts to wrongfully blame the motorcyclist for the accident.
How Much it Costs to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Gainesville
Money can get tight after suffering a serious motorcycle accident. If this sounds familiar, you may have concerns about affording a Gainesville motorcycle accident lawyer. Yet, the clients at Meldon Law don’t have these worries because we work on contingency. Here’s what you can expect with this arrangement:
- You meet our team during a free, no-obligation case review. During this conversation, we listen to your story and explain your next steps.
- You can partner with our team after filling out the necessary paperwork. You don’t pay a dime during this process.
- While setting up the foundation for our partnership, we explain how we take a predetermined percentage of your final settlement as payment for our help. You will know this figure from the very start.
- We advance your legal case. Our lawyers fight tooth and nail to secure a favorable outcome. If your case yields compensation, the insurance company sends us a check, we withdraw our attorney’s fees, and you get the rest.
Meldon Law wants to make securing legal help easy and stress-free. With a contingency fee-based arrangement, we hope that everyone feels empowered to team up with our advocates.
How a Gainesville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Together, our motorcycle accident lawyers in Gainesville have decades of combined legal experience helping injured people secure the damages they need. When you entrust us with your case, you don’t have to lift a finger. Your job is to focus on getting better; our job is to resolve your case.
You can trust our team to:
Gather Evidence to Support Your Claim
Every motorcycle accident claim needs evidence to succeed. With the information we find, we intend to show that because another party caused your collision, they owe you damages. Evidence may include:
- Photos of your motorcycle’s damage
- Traffic camera footage
- Statements from eyewitnesses, such as first responders
- Accident reconstruction data
- Testimony from your care provider
- Receipts and bills for any out-of-pocket losses
Manage Communications With the Involved Parties
You could get overwhelmed by case-related emails, text messages, and phone calls after your accident. You need this time to focus on your well-being, not to juggle communications with multiple parties. When you entrust your case to a Gainesville motorcycle accident lawyer from our firm, we take care of all communications with:
- Eyewitnesses
- Insurance adjusters
- The other party’s legal team
- Consultants, such as accident reconstruction specialists
- Law enforcement officials
- Courtroom officials
You don’t have to take a single call from the insurer with us on your side. In fact, you don’t have to take a call from anyone involved in your case. We’re not kidding when we say that we’ll handle everything.
Negotiate a Settlement
We resolve most motorcycle accident cases through negotiations with insurance companies. In these situations, you don’t have to worry about going to court or presenting your case before a jury. Instead, you can focus on feeling better.
During negotiations with the insurance company, your motorcycle accident attorney in Gainesville may:
- Present additional forms of evidence
- Reference the liable insurance policy
- Protect you from bad faith insurance practices
- Scrutinize every offer the insurer presents
File a Lawsuit (If Necessary)
Filing a lawsuit isn’t like the courtroom dramas you’ve seen on TV. These cases take weeks to unfold, sometimes involving dozens of witnesses. Yet, with Meldon Law on your side, you don’t have to worry about filing a lawsuit alone. We take care of those obligations, from filing your lawsuit to making closing arguments.
For our team, the courtroom is an extension of our office. That’s because we’ve advocated for injured people in Gainesville since 1971. We’ve seen our share of judges come and go, and our familiarity with courtroom officials allows us to present strong cases. When defense attorneys see that we’re representing a client, they think twice about playing games with us.
You can trust us to complete any request and we can talk about your case by calling (352) 373-8000 or filling out our online contact form. A member of the compassionate team from our Gainesville motorcycle firm will be available 24/7 to speak with you about your accident.
Motorcycle Accidents Stats in Florida
Why You Should Let Your Attorney Do the Talking in a Gainesville Motorcycle Accident Claim
Insurance companies are mainly focused on making money for themselves and their shareholders. When someone gets hurt in a motorcycle accident, these companies often try to pay as little as possible, taking advantage of the confusion people feel after an accident and of the fact that you have likely never been in this situation before.
Motorcycles are seen as risky, so insurance companies might quickly blame the person riding the motorcycle for the accident. If you try to talk to the insurance company by yourself, you might lose out on money or rights you deserve. It’s important to be careful and informed when talking to them.That’s why you may want to consider letting your lawyer handle it.
Damages You Can Recover in a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Gainesville, FL
Whether you’re a student at one of our local colleges or a long-time resident, we want to advocate for you. Meldon Law has advocated for countless injury claimants over the years, and we know what goes into building a solid case.
With help from our motorcycle accident lawyers in Gainesville, you could recover compensation for your:
Past and Future Healthcare Expenses
There’s no such thing as a minor motorcycle accident. You could require medical care long into the future, incurring costly bills in the process. Yet, with our help, you could get coverage for:
- Surgeries
- Medications
- Hospitalization
- Ambulance transportation services
- Doctors’ visits
- Physical therapy and other rehabilitative care
- Assistive devices, such as wheelchairs
Your Gainesville motorcycle accident lawyer can consult with your healthcare team to learn about the extent of your condition and the treatments you will require. We believe that if another party’s negligence led to your accident and injuries, you deserve full compensation for your treatment expenses.
Lost Income
Suffering a serious injury can prevent you from attending work. You shouldn’t have to suffer financial hardship while putting your health first. The liable party should cover any lost:
- Tips
- Bonuses
- Income
- Benefits
- Hourly rates
- Contracts
- “Gigs”
We can also seek damages for loss of future earning capacity. This damage accounts for any changes to your income in the aftermath of your collision. We can assess your income-related losses by analyzing your employment records, wage statements, and tax documents.
Property Damage Expenses
Do you rely on your motorcycle as a primary mode of transportation? You deserve compensation for its repairs and replacement. Do you only ride your motorcycle around town or on the weekends? The point still stands; you deserve coverage for any necessary expenses.
Wrongful Death Costs
Our team can only imagine what you’re going through if you lost a loved one to a fatal motorcycle accident. At Meldon Law, our experienced wrongful death lawyers and compassionate team are here to support you. We aim to provide solace and resolution to your family through a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. Some of the compensable losses that can be addressed in a wrongful death case may include:
- Funeral expenses, including the cost of burial, cremation, and the service
- Final medical bills, such as hospice care
- The lost loved one’s pain and suffering
- Anything the surviving family members spent out of pocket
Non-Economic Damages, Such as Pain and Suffering
The damages listed above come with financial values. For instance, when calculating your healthcare costs, we can use your doctor’s testimony and medical bills. Non-economic damages are different because they don’t come with documentation. Instead, we evaluate your quality of life, mental health, and day-to-day function to establish what you need.
Examples of compensable non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
Every motorcycle accident case in Gainesville comes with its own set of recoverable damages. So, you may recoup losses that are not included here.
Our Gainesville Motorcycle Accident Team’s Case Results Speak for Themselves
There’s a story behind each of our successful cases. Here are some case results from our traffic accident claims and lawsuits:
- Our client suffered serious injuries after suffering a collision at an intersection. She suffered failed back syndrome and a traumatic brain injury. Before the case officially went to court, we settled for $500,000.
- We filed a lawsuit after our client suffered a serious back injury following a T-bone collision. Once we presented the case’s facts at mediation, the liable party offered $105,000––and we accepted.
- Our client was riding his motorcycle when he collided with an illegally parked semi-truck. Not only did we secure compensation from his insurer, but we also filed a claim with the trucker’s insurance company. We secured $110,000.
The outcomes of these cases may not represent your own. Each case comes with its own damages and details. We intend to secure an outcome that promotes your health, wellness, and future.
Can You File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Gainesville If You Were Not Wearing a Helmet at the Time of the Wreck?
Yes, you can still file a motorcycle accident claim in Gainesville, Florida, even if you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the wreck. However, not wearing a helmet can impact your claim and the compensation you may be entitled to receive.
Florida law requires all motorcyclists under the age of 21 to wear a helmet while riding. For riders over 21, helmets are optional if they carry at least $10,000 in medical insurance coverage. If you were not wearing a helmet and did not meet the legal requirements for riding without one, you may be considered partially at fault for your injuries.
In these cases, Florida’s comparative negligence law comes into play. The insurance company or the at-fault party may argue that your failure to wear a helmet contributed to the severity of your injuries, and therefore, you should be held partially responsible. This can result in a reduction of your compensation by the percentage of fault assigned to you.
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Types of Injuries You Can File a Motorcycle Accident Claim for in Gainesville, FL
Unlike motorists in cars or trucks, motorcyclists do not have metal frames, bumpers, seatbelts, airbags, and other components to protect them in the event of a collision. This can cause accident victims to suffer serious injuries––something you know all too well.
Our Gainesville motorcycle accident lawyers advocate for people suffering from:
- Spinal cord trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Crushed limbs
- Broken or shattered bones
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Amputations
- Catastrophic injuries
- Dental injuries, such as chipped teeth
- Contusions
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Organ damage
- Soft-tissue injuries, such as whiplash
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accident Cases in Meldon
It’s understandable to have many questions in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident. Some of those questions may include:
What Should I Do to Protect My Claim After a Motorcycle Accident in Gainesville?
Don’t try to “walk off” a motorcycle accident. Instead, seek medical attention, whether it’s at an urgent care center or through the University of Florida’s healthcare system.
Also, be sure to follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Even a slight deviation could prompt the insurer to question your condition’s severity.
Other post-accident considerations include:
- Keeping all medical-related records. Your x-rays and other imaging scan results can supplement your claim later. You want as much information as possible to attest to your condition’s severity and the medical care you required.
- Refusing to give a recorded statement. Your motorcycle accident lawyer can give the liable party’s insurer all the information it needs. You don’t have to give a recorded statement and risk saying something that could complicate your case.
- Refraining from posting about the incident online. Just like with a recorded statement, you don’t want to say anything that could later discredit your claim––and that includes posting about the incident online.
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Gainesville, FL?
With the passage of HB 837, you generally have two years from the date of your accident to file an injury lawsuit. That’s not a lot of time, making it crucial to promptly consider your legal options. By consulting our team at your earliest convenience, you can uphold your right to damages.
How Long Does It Take to Recover Damages in a Gainesville Motorcycle Accident Claim?
How long it takes to recover damages in a motorcycle accident case depends on many variables, some of which are totally out of your control. Our team understands how important it is to recover compensation as soon as possible after your accident. We’ll overcome any hurdle that threatens to stall or delay your case’s resolution.
What Previous Clients Have to Say About Meldon Law
World-class. Awesome. Wonderful. These are just some of the words our previous clients use to describe us. Others have shared:
- “My team with Meldon Law was awesome and were really helpful during a difficult time in my life. They showed how much they cared and took their time to explain the process to me. I’m happy I chose them to help me with my case.”
- “I go to Meldon Law for any legal advice that may come up. Everyone I have spoken to there has been extremely nice and helpful, and Jessica Thomason particularly has helped me with many questions over the years.”
- “Meldon Law is great. Whenever I have a legal question I know I can depend on Jeffrey Meldon and Jessica Thomason to give educated and trusted advice on the situation. I refer my friends and family to them and they will always be the first place I go if I ever need legal representation.”
Get a Free Case Review With a Gainesville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
At Meldon Law, we protect the rights of motorcycle accident victims throughout North Florida. Our firm puts everything we have into each case we take, and when you work with us, you will have an advocate standing by your side.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Gainesville have experience handling complex motorcycle accident cases and the resources to explore different options for your recovery.
Contact Meldon Law at (352) 373-8000 or via our online contact form. It may feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders right now, but we will take the pressure off of you. Reach out to us today to get started.
