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Palatka Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Have you or a loved one recently been injured in a motorcycle accident in Palatka, FL? If so, you could be entitled to significant damages for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. The Palatka motorcycle accident lawyers at Allen Law Firm, P.A., can help you seek compensation from the parties responsible.

Give our law office a call at 877-255-3652 to learn more about how we can put our skills and knowledge to use for you. Your first consultation is absolutely free, so you risk nothing by contacting us for legal advice.

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How Allen Law Firm, P.A., Can Help After a Motorcycle Crash in Palatka, FL

Allen Law Firm, P.A. has been standing up for accident victims in Putnam County, Florida for nearly 30 years. We know what’s at stake for those who have suffered injuries from a motorcycle crash. In addition to your physical and emotional struggles, you’re facing financial difficulties as well.

You need money to deal with your medical treatment and the bills piling up from time off work. Unfortunately, insurance companies do everything they can to pay out as little as possible.

Our Palatka motorcycle accident lawyers will fight to get you fair compensation. When you hire our accomplished legal team in Palatka, FL, you can rest assured we’ll be tireless in getting you justice.

We advocate for you by:

Conducting an independent investigation to learn exactly what happened and who might be to blame for the accident
Review all relevant evidence, including medical records, witness statements, police documents, and any photo or video materials
Speak with experts who can testify on your behalf
Negotiate with the insurance companies and make sure they don’t unfairly pin the blame on you
Keep you informed and address your questions and concerns throughout the process
Represent you in court if the insurance company doesn’t come through with a fair offer.

You should be focusing on your injuries, not dealing with legal matters. Let the Palatka personal injury attorneys at Allen Law Firm, P.A., protect your interests. Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Palatka, Putnam County, and Florida?

With its warm weather and scenery, Florida ranks second in the country for motorcycle enthusiasts. Nearly 590,000 motorcycles are registered in the state, second only to California.

Unfortunately, a high number of motorcycles on Florida roads means a high number of accidents.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, data from recent years shows the following motorcycle crash numbers across the state:

In 2018:

9143 total crashes
2917 fatal crashes, resulting in 531 deaths
7849 people injured

In 2019, there were:

8896 total crashes
2955 fatal crashes resulting in 550 deaths
7721 people injured

In 2020, there were:

8005 total crashes
3050 fatal crashes resulting in 504 deaths
6938 people injured

Putnam County, Florida, which includes Palatka, saw the following numbers:

In 2018:

32 total crashes
5 deaths
28 people injured

In 2019, there were:

29 total crashes
2 deaths
27 people injured

In 2020, there were:

26 total crashes
3 deaths
21 people injured

In 2020, the Covid 19 pandemic meant that most businesses, beaches, restaurants, bars, and other social spots were shut down across the state. Nonetheless, there were still enough riders on Florida’s roadways to suffer injury and death from a motorcycle accident.

Where Do Most Motorcycle Accidents Happen in Palatka, FL?

There are a number of reasons certain roads are more dangerous for motorcycles than others. Many of the same reasons that make roads dangerous for cars and other other motor vehicles make them even more dangerous for motorcycles.

For example, potholes can be an inconvenience for car drivers but can be deadly for motorcyclists. Visibility and line of sight can also play a role in making a road dangerous for motorcyclists. Riders can easily get lost in a driver’s blind spot even when there’s a clear line of sight, so lower visibility can make the situation even more treacherous.

The following stretches of road in Palatka have seen motor vehicle accidents in recent years and should make motorcycle riders wary:

US-17, 4th Street
St Johns Ave
SR-20
CR-216
SR-19, SR-100
St Johns Ave
US-17, 9th St
SR-19, Green Rd
US-17
SR-19, SR-20
Washington Street, 18th Street
St Johns Ave, Wells Ave
St Johns Ave, N 13th St
SR-100, SR-19

Riders should be extra vigilant when riding in these Palatka locations.

What Is My Palatka, FL, Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?

Every case is different. A personal injury attorney must thoroughly investigate your case to determine its worth. However, a number of different factors often help determine the value of a case.

These factors include:

The nature and severity of your injuries
Length of recovery
Amount of time off from work
Future earning capacity
Whether you contributed to the crash

In the meantime, the insurance company will be considering ways to reduce the worth of your claim, including whether you:

Contributed to the accident through your own fault
Mitigated damages
Followed the law
Had pre-existing conditions
Maintained your motorcycle per industry guidelines

We cannot place a specific dollar amount on the value of your case without examining all these issues. However, we can tell you that our Palatka motorcycle accident lawyers at Allen Law Firm, P.A., leave no stone unturned in maximizing your payout.

Our legal team always has your best interests in mind as we work through your case. Give us a call today to learn more about how our personal injury attorneys can make a difference in your motorcycle accident case in Palatka.

What Kind of Damages Are Available To Florida Motorcycle Accident Victims?

Victims of motorcycle accidents are eligible to seek two main categories of damages: economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are damages that tend to be supported by tangible, recorded costs, such as medical expenses, lost income, out of pocket cost, and other damages.

Medical Expenses

Medical bills after your accident could include expenses related to: emergency room visits, ambulance, and other first-responder services, rehabilitation, x-rays and scans, lab tests, and visits to therapists and chiropractors. In general, the timeline for medical costs begins on the accident date and can include ongoing costs into the future.

Lost Income

Income you lose because of your injury is covered under economic damages. Starting from the date of your accident through the duration of time lost at work, wages you would have earned are calculated into your financial award. Any documentation your employer can provide will be critical.

Other Economic Damages

Other economic damages include items such as:

Domestic services
In-home nursing care
Medical devices such as wheelchairs

It’s critical to track and maintain all documents, bills, and receipts associated with the costs of your injuries.

Non-economic Damages

Non-economic damages tend to be more personal and intimate in nature and aren’t easily quantified in terms of a price tag.

These damages typically include:

Emotional distress
Cognitive difficulties
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
Mental anguish
Loss of consortium
Loss of companionship
Scarring
Disability

At Allen Law Firm, P.A., it’s important to us that you get what you need to return your life to the way it was prior to your motorcycle accident. We’ll do everything we can to argue for any and all available damages.

Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Motorcycle Accident in Florida?

In a word, potentially. Florida is a “modified comparative negligence” state with a 51% bar to recovery. You can sue for damages arising from your accident unless you were mostly to blame. However, your overall financial compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if you were 30% responsible, your award will be reduced by 30%, leaving you with 70% of what your claim is worth. And if you were 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages.

Insurance companies will try to use this against you. The more they blame you, the less they have to pay you.

Our legal team at Allen Law Firm, P.A. includes former insurance adjusters who know the insurance industry’s tactics. We won’t let them get away with shameless attempts to manipulate your situation and take advantage of your vulnerability and need for financial assistance.

Contact us today, and we’ll talk to you about how we’ve successfully handled these situations for countless clients just like you.

Am I Required To Carry No-Fault Insurance Like Other Motorists in Florida?

No. While it’s always a good idea to have insurance coverage, the state of Florida only requires no-fault insurance for drivers of four-wheeled vehicles. Motorcycles riders in Florida do not need insurance to register their motorcycle, nor are they required to have an insurance policy. In fact, Florida is the only state that does not have an insurance requirement for motorcycles.

This means you must seek damages directly through the other motorist’s insurance. If they’re underinsured or uninsured, Allen Law Firm, P.A., can help you deal with the issues that arise as a result.

Open-air exposure poses an increased danger for motorcycles in the event of an accident. Nothing is protecting a rider’s body in a crash.

Among the many injuries our Palatka motorcycle accident lawyers have seen in the course of our practice include:

Road rash
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Spinal cord injuries
Burn injuries
Back injuries
Soft tissue damage
Chest injuries
Concussions
Head and neck injuries
Facial injuries
Paralysis
Internal organ damage
Loss of limbs

No matter what your injuries are, you can count on Allen Law Firm, P.A., to fight to secure a full financial award for you. Unfortunately, the death rate for motorcycle crashes is 28 times higher than other motor vehicles. If you lost a loved one to a motorcycle crash, we can help your family with a wrongful death claim. Let Allen Law Firm, P.A., handle your legal concerns and financial needs.

What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents in Palatka, Florida?

There are countless reasons for motorcycle accidents. The slightest distraction on the part of the rider or others on the road can have disastrous results.

Our personal injury lawyers have seen it all, including:

Failure to spot motorcycle in blind spot
Distracted drivers
Failure to yield
Speeding
Animals on road
Reckless or illegal passing
Illegal or sudden turns
Erratic lane changes
Rain or bad weather
Tailgating
Disregarding traffic signs and signals
Drunk driving (carries possible punitive damages)
Vehicle defects
Slick roads
Texting and driving
Potholes

Our Palatka motorcycle accident lawyers work hard to identify the cause of accidents. The cause of the accident can help us more accurately apportion responsibility. If blame isn’t properly assigned, it can negatively impact the amount of compensation you take home.

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Motorcycle Accident in Florida?

To recover compensation for your motorcycle accident injuries, you must prove that another party was negligent. A negligence claim for a motorcycle accident requires showing that the at-fault party breached their duty to drive safely and caused your injuries.

A Palatka personal injury attorney may use different types of evidence to prove the at-fault party’s negligence, such as:

Eyewitness testimony
Dashcam footage or security camera footage from local businesses
Phone records showing the at-fault driver was using their phone before the crash
Police reports that include observations of the accident and determinations of fault
Statements of the at-fault driver after the accident
And more

An experienced motorcycle accident attorney will investigate to gather evidence that proves your case. Contact our law office today to speak with an attorney about whether another driver may be at-fault for your injuries.

How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Wreck in Florida?

Florida law limits the amount of time you have for filing a lawsuit. In the State of Florida, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accidents and most other personal injury cases was recently changed. You’ll have four years to submit your claim if your accident took place on or before 3/23/2023. Otherwise, you’ll have two years instead. However, there are exceptions.

Some people make the mistake of delaying their claim, but such injury victims almost always wish they started the process sooner. The sooner you reach out to us at Allen Law Firm, P.A., the sooner we can ensure you’re able to take advantage of all the options available to you.

Contact Our Palatka Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation

Following a motorcycle accident in Palatka, FL, you’ll be facing a host of issues that need immediate attention. Between adjuster calls, dealing with repair shops, doctors, car rental companies, hospitals, and police, you’ll barely have time to focus on your health and recovery.

This is why it’s so important to hire a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after a motorcycle accident. At Allen Law Firm, P.A., we take on the overwhelming legal and financial matters and paperwork related to the accident so you can get your life back on track.

Call Allen Law Firm, P.A., to schedule a free consultation. Our Palatka motorcycle accident lawyers are here to discuss your case with you 24/7. Not only is your first consultation free, you pay nothing unless we win. Call today.