While a motorcycle is the preferred form of transportation for many, most motorcyclists are well aware of the potential for grave injuries in an accident. Because of the size, structure, and weight of a motorcycle, motorcycle crashes are some of the deadliest on our roads. Even accidents that would be considered minor for a passenger vehicle can be devastating when experienced by a biker.
When an accident involves a motorcycle and a larger vehicle, the motorcycle is already at a disadvantage. Add to that the limited protection that a motorcyclist has in an accident, even with the best helmet and gear that money can buy. A motorcyclist has no seat belts, no airbags, no protection from a steel cage designed to keep them safe in a serious accident. When it comes to motorcycle vs. car in an accident, a motorcycle is usually the loser.
Costs From a Motorcycle Accident Can Financially Devastate a Victim
Motorcycle accidents can cause catastrophic injuries requiring extensive medical care, sometimes even for life. While the immediate medical expenses of a motorcycle accident can be overwhelming, the long-term financial and physical costs of a motorcycle accident can devastate a victim and their family.
When serious injuries have been sustained, the at-fault driver can be held accountable for any losses and damages. Compensation can be sought for these damages, including
- Medical expenses, present and future
- Lost wages, present and future
- Personal property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
This is when it is critical for a victim to have the assistance of a skilled Florida personal injury attorney fighting for their right to be fairly compensated.
Medical Costs For Injuries
In most cases, the bulk of the costs of a motorcycle accident comes from the immediate and long-term medical costs associated with treating, healing, rehabilitating, and other long-term care for the victim. Especially since motorcycle accidents can result in catastrophic injuries, the costs of these can be astronomical. Getting compensation for medical treatment and other costs is one of the most important aspects to seeking compensation for a motorcycle accident victim.
Compensation for these costs will include emergency transportation and care, hospitalization, surgeries, doctor and specialist visits, prescriptions, medical devices, physical and occupational therapy and other medical interventions necessary for the victim to heal and move forward.
And medical treatment may not stop there. Many motorcycle accident victims will require long-term medical care that spans years and often a lifetime. An experienced Boca Raton motorcycle accident lawyer understands not only the short-term aspects of compensation, but also the long-term consequences and considers this when seeking compensation for an accident victim.
Lost Wages
Most motorcycle accident victims will suffer at least a short bout of being unable to return to work while they are healing. This loss of wages is compensable and will reimburse a victim for these immediate lost wages.
But many times, motorcycle injury victims will suffer injuries so extensive that they are unable to return to their line of work. In this case, a victim can be compensated for the loss of their future earning capacity due to the injuries that were suffered in the accident.
Personal Property Damage or Loss
While the rider has little protection in a motorcycle accident, the same holds true of the motorcycle itself. Most motorcycles will sustain significant damage and often require the replacement of the entire bike.
In this case, the at-fault party can be held accountable for the costs to repair or replace the vehicle in addition to any personal property damaged or lost in the accident.
General Damages That Can Be Sought After a Motorcycle Accident in Florida
In addition to specific economic damages from a motorcycle accident, there are other general damages that can be sought after a motorcycle accident. These are often referred to as “pain and suffering” or non-economic damages that can be awarded to a victim for
- Their physical suffering
- Mental anguish
- And other non-economic losses
However, Florida law only allows victims to recover compensation for these non-economic damages if the following exists:
- The victim has lost a significant and permanent bodily function.
- The victim has suffered an injury that is, with a degree of medical certainty, permanent.
- The victim has suffered scarring or disfigurement.
- The victim suffered a fatal injury.
While it may be challenging to determine how much to seek for non-economic damages, a skilled Boca Raton personal injury lawyer will use many resources including expert witnesses, court precedents, and insurance calculations called multipliers to calculate damages for these injuries.
Getting the Skilled Legal Assistance of a Boca Raton Motorcycle Accident Attorney
After a serious motorcycle accident, the aggressive team of Boca Raton motorcycle accident lawyers at Ged Lawyers, LLP can help minimize your difficulties while maximizing your compensation. If you have sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle accident, call us at (561) 562-4170 or contact us online to see how we can help get you the compensation you deserve.
