Motorcycles are a fun and economic ways to travel, and Ocala sees a lot of motorcycle traffic in the area throughout the year. However, riding motorcycles comes with its share or risks since they are small and lighter than most other vehicles on the road. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents nearly always cause serious injuries to riders and their passengers. An accident fully exposes a motorcycle rider’s body to the brunt force of any impact with another vehicle, the road, or other object they strike.
Sadly, many motorcycle accidents end with the rider or a passenger losing their life. If a motorcycle accident in Ocala seriously injured you or a loved one, or if you tragically lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you may pursue compensation. To find out your options for compensation, contact the experienced legal team at Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., for a free consultation.
Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A.—We Get Results
At Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., we take pride in delivering results for our injured neighbors. For over 35 years, we’ve been serving victims to fight for the compensation they deserve after tragic accidents. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients in settlements and court awards.
When you hire Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., you have a legal representative who isn’t afraid to go to trial if that is what you need to get the compensation you deserve. Other lawyers may shy away from time-consuming, expensive, and complex trials. But Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A. has the knowledge and resources to handle your claim, whether through a settlement or going to trial. We advise our clients honestly about the claims process and follow their directions about where to take a case.
Because of our skill and dedication, the attorneys at Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A. have been able to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars for individual motorcycle accident victims. Whether you have been hit broadside by someone running a red light, or a car turned out in front of you, your injuries are probably severe and leading to high medical bills. Work with a lawyer at Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., who can work on your claim to pursue the financial recovery you need while you physically recover from your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about how we can help you obtain the full and fair amount of compensation you need.
HOW MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS HAPPEN IN OCALA
Driving a motorcycle in Ocala can be a pleasure. The weather is wonderful for riding nearly year-round, and you have plenty of places where you can enjoy the open road. Whether you’re driving up 27 or taking a leisurely ride through historic downtown Ocala, you most often probably do not question your safety on your bike.
Yet, there are nearly 10,000 motorcycle crashes in Florida every year. Even if you take proper precautions and are always aware of your surroundings, other drivers’ behaviors and decisions may still lead to an accident. Make sure you take extra care if you notice any of the following dangers occurring near your motorcycle.
Drunk Drivers
It is unfortunate and frustrating that some people still get behind the wheel after having too much to drink. Because drunk drivers have a slower reaction time and compromised mental faculties, they pose a greater risk of severe injury. For instance, while a sober driver might not notice you soon enough to avoid a collision, they may still apply the brakes to lessen the force of the impending impact.
Alcohol may impair drunk drivers too much to hit the brakes at all. Drunk drivers often sway in their lanes or drive erratically. If you see these signs in a vehicle, stay away and even take an alternative route if you can.
Poor Weather And Road Conditions
While Ocala usually provides nice weather, it does have its occasional afternoon showers. Heavy rain can create hazardous conditions for a motorcycle rider. So can construction. Because the weather is so frequently nice, construction occurs with regularity. Both the traffic it causes and the debris often found near construction zones may cause accidents and warrant keeping more attentive when driving around construction zones.
Failure To Yield
Many drivers who get into accidents with motorcycles say that they never even saw the bike. All too often, it is because they didn’t look or properly yield. With how busy Ocala’s traffic can get, it can be hard to check every driver to make sure they are paying attention. But if you do notice someone who seems to not notice your bike, slow down and proceed with caution.
Open Doors
This type of danger is more likely to occur in historic downtown Ocala. When people parallel park on the streets, they might not look for motorcycles as they open their car doors. If you are driving along and come alongside their vehicle just as they open their door into your lane, you could slam into the door and sustain serious injuries. Take extra care when traveling on streets where open doors could be opened out into traffic.
Other Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Along with the causes listed above, motorcycle accidents can result from other wrongful actions of other motorists, including:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving and road rage
Aside from other drivers causing a wreck, defective motorcycle parts can fail and cause a rider to lose control. If this is what caused your Ocala motorcycle accident, you can speak with a lawyer about filing a third-party motorcycle accident claim against the product’s manufacturer and any other party responsible for bringing the product to market.
Determining Fault in Motorcycle Accidents
It may seem obvious to you that someone else caused your motorcycle accident. But that does not mean it will be easy to prove to an insurance company, especially if the other driver does not admit fault.
To prove that someone else caused your accident, you must show that:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care, as every road user has to drive legally and safely
- The other driver breached that duty of care by driving negligently or recklessly
- Because of the other driver’s negligence, they caused an accident with you
- You suffered injuries in the motorcycle accident
Proving these elements is likely to require an investigation into your motorcycle accident. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, a thorough investigation may require the use of accident reconstruction experts. Your attorney may decide one of these experts is necessary to prove your case, and the expert can prove how the accident occurred in the absence of more direct evidence.
Getting Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Injuries
After getting in a motorcycle accident in Ocala, you might not immediately be concerned with pursuing compensation from the at-fault driver. That makes sense, and your sole focus in the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle accident should be your health and recovery. If you have tragically lost a loved one in an Ocala motorcycle accident, we also understand that you need to grieve, spend time with your family, and reduce the stress and anxiety you feel. But to help you get through this time, you likely will eventually need compensation to cover expenses and losses from the accident. In any case, a lawyer should be your next step after you have had a chance to tend to your health and other priorities.
Personal Injury Claim
Your pursuit of compensation to cover all of your medical bills and financial losses will involve filing a personal injury claim for damages. It is not uncommon for a motorcycle accident injury to lead to millions of dollars in ongoing medical costs. A personal injury claim alleges that someone else caused your accident and subsequent injuries, so they should pay your medical bills.
When you partner with a skilled Ocala motorcycle accident lawyer at Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A. we can pursue compensation on your behalf for injury-related expenses, such as:
- Present and future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Rehabilitation costs
- Home renovation costs
Painful and long-lasting injuries often result from motorcycle accidents. These injuries often come with extremely high medical costs. These costs are not anything you should be on the hook to pay. Filing a personal injury claim and showing that someone else caused your accident can help you recover the compensation you need so you do not bear the costs someone else caused. Additionally, you may receive compensation for property damage and the cost to repair or replace your motorcycle.
You can recover compensation for all the future expenses you will face as a result of the motorcycle accident. If your injuries are so severe that you are unable to return to work for some time, or you can never return to work, you can attempt to collect lost income from the negligent driver. Getting this additional compensation means that you will not have to worry about how to pay for your future medical care for your catastrophic injuries. You can keep your focus on living your best life and receiving quality, ongoing medical attention.
Wrongful Death Claim
If you have lost a loved one in an Ocala motorcycle accident, we know that a legal claim might be the furthest thing from your mind. However, you will have to face some pretty big medical and funeral bills as a result of your loved one’s death. This compensation may be necessary so you do not go into financial hardship because of someone else’s negligence.
Under Florida law, only certain people can bring a wrongful death claim. These people include:
- The deceased’s spouse
- The deceased’s children
- The deceased’s parents
If none of the people above are alive or able to file a claim, the estate may also file a claim against the negligent driver. Taking this legal action is vital to ensure the family members of the motorcycle accident victim receive fair compensation and do not have to pay anything out of their own pockets for an accident that took their loved one away from them.
If you lost a loved one in an Ocala motorcycle accident, your lawyer may pursue compensation for:
- Funeral expenses
- Final medical expenses
- Burial costs
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of financial support
- Emotional distress
Losing a loved one in a motorcycle accident is tragic. Your loved one may have had their whole life ahead of them or you may have had great plans to spend your lives together. Because of someone else’s negligence, however, those plans have been ruined. You deserve compensation for all the losses you are experiencing.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Ocala, there are several steps you should try to take to help preserve evidence of your accident and injuries.
The severity of your injuries may prevent you from doing some of these on your own but try to solicit the help of others before giving up.
- Call 911 – Calling 911 will send emergency medical personnel to your accident scene to help transport you to the hospital for further medical care. Getting prompt medical attention is paramount to your healing.
- Take Pictures – Get photos or videos of the entire accident scene, all vehicles involved, and your injuries. These images can provide clear evidence of the cause of your accident so that your attorney can hold the negligent parties accountable.
- See Your Doctor – No one knows your physical state better than your regular doctor. Even if the hospital treats you, follow up with your regular doctor. That will help because their records will document your recovery, and you can use them to support your claim.
- Keep a Journal – Your own documentation of how the accident occurred and how your injuries have affected your life are vital to helping you get the compensation necessary to cover your medical expenses and other financial losses. Writing in your journal every day ensures that you do not forget a single hurdle you faced or the level of pain and discomfort you dealt with every day.
Act Fast on Your Ocala Motorcycle Accident Case
If you plan to bring an Ocala motorcycle accident claim, you must keep in mind Florida law limits the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in court to two years after you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident or you have lost a loved one in a crash. You must initiate your claim before this deadline. Failing to do so may forfeit your chance to recover any compensation.
When you work with a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer at Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., you can trust we will take care of your claim as soon as possible. Whether you face extensive rehabilitation or you’re grieving over the loss of a loved one, the ability to focus on other matters in your life while a professional handles your claim is one of the greatest benefits of having a skilled legal advisor.
Speak With a Trusted Ocala Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you get injured in a motorcycle accident in Ocala, or you tragically lose a loved one in a crash, you may not know where to turn or what comes next. It may be necessary for you to file a personal injury or a wrongful death claim. But worrying about legal actions takes you away from where you need to place your focus.
Partnering with an Ocala motorcycle accident lawyer you can trust lets you turn the legal burden and stress over to your legal team so you can focus on your recovery and being with your family. Contact Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., today at (800) BAGEN LAW to learn more about how we may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve from your motorcycle accident case.