Were you involved in a motorcycle accident in Lakeland, Florida? Contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation at (863) 251-6196. Our award-winning Lakeland motorcycle accident lawyers can help you maximize the value of your claim and pursue all of the damages you may be entitled to.
We’re a top-rated Florida personal injury law firm that consistently wins cases for our clients. We have more than 119 years of combined experience and have secured tens of millions for accident victims in the area to date. Call our Lakeland personal injury attorneys today or message us online to get started with your case.
Why Choose Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers After a Motorcycle Accident in Lakeland, Florida?
When your financial stability and physical recovery are on the line, you need more than just any attorney; you need a proven team that knows how to deliver results. Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers has our reputation for being “The Aggressive Attorneys” because we are always willing to go the distance to recover maximum compensation for our clients in Lakeland, FL.
Here’s why riders throughout Polk County and beyond turn to our Lakeland personal injury lawyers after a crash:
- We have well over a century of combined experience.
- We’ve won tens of millions for our clients, including many six-figure-plus recoveries.
- We’re recognized for our legal services both locally and nationally through organizations like Super Lawyers, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and more.
- We won’t hesitate to take your case to trial if that’s in your best interest.
We fight back hard against insurance companies because we know what’s at stake. Contact our Lakeland motorcycle accident attorneys today for a free case review.
How Much Is My Lakeland Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
Every motorcycle accident claim in Lakeland is unique at the end of the day, so it’s difficult to put a price on your case without considering many factors that are specific to your situation.
Some of the factors that can affect the value of your case include:
- The severity and type of your injuries
- Whether you’ll make a full recovery or live with permanent disabilities
- The total cost of your medical care, including future needs
- Your lost income and reduced earning capacity
- The impact of your injuries on your daily life and relationships
- The strength of the available evidence proving fault
- Whether you’re being blamed for your wreck
- Available insurance coverage
Cases involving catastrophic injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one tend to have higher values, but even less severe injuries can result in significant compensation when you factor in medical bills and time away from work.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Lakeland Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcycle accident injury victims in Florida are often entitled to a wide range of damages. These fall into two main categories: economic damages (the financial costs of your injury) and non-economic damages (the more personal impact on your life).
Depending on your case, you may be able to recover money for:
- Medical bills and treatment
- Future medical expenses if your injuries require ongoing care
- Lost wages from missed work
- Reduced earning ability if you can’t return to your prior job
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering caused by your injuries
- Emotional distress
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Loss of enjoyment of life if your injuries keep you from your favorite activities
In rare cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if the at-fault party’s conduct was especially reckless, such as a drunk driver causing a crash. These damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
It’ll cost you nothing up front for our services because we work on a contingency fee basis. It means we only get paid if we win compensation in your case, and our fees will be paid out of that award as an agreed-upon percentage.
All the details you’ll need to know, including the exact percentage and other payment information, will be included in a contingency fee agreement that we’ll sign before we start working on your case. We can answer any questions you have about this payment structure during a free consultation with one of our Florida motorcycle accident attorneys.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My Motorcycle Accident in Florida?
It’s possible, but it will depend on the facts in your case. Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence statute, you can typically still pursue compensation as long as you are less than 50% at fault. However, your damages will usually be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you are found 20% responsible for the crash and awarded $200,000, your recovery would likely be reduced to $160,000.
The insurance company may try and blame you for the wreck, but our lawyers know how these accusations work and can respond appropriately on your behalf.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Lakeland
Motorcycle crashes happen for many reasons, but they are almost always linked to negligence on the part of another driver or party.
In Lakeland, some of the most frequent causes include:
- Distracted driving, such as texting behind the wheel
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Unsafe lane changes or failure to yield to motorcyclists
- Following too closely and rear-end collisions
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Dangerous road conditions, such as potholes or poor signage
- Vehicle or motorcycle defects, including brake or tire failures
Motorcyclists are more vulnerable to injury because they don’t have the protection of a vehicle frame. No matter what caused your crash, you may be owed substantial compensation from whoever was responsible.
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
Under Florida law, you generally have two years from the date of your motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failing to file before the deadline will almost always bar you from recovering compensation, so it’s a critical time limit to get right.
Although certain limited exceptions may apply, you should never assume that you have extra time. The sooner you contact our Florida motorcycle accident lawyers, the sooner we can begin investigating your claim and preserving vital evidence.
Florida’s Motorcycle Laws and Insurance Issues
Motorcycle accident claims in Florida can be more complicated than typical car accidents. That’s because Florida’s “no-fault” insurance rules generally don’t apply to motorcycles. Unlike car drivers, motorcyclists aren’t required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.
This means that after a motorcycle crash in Lakeland, you typically must pursue compensation directly from the at-fault driver’s insurance policy or through a personal injury lawsuit. Our firm can help you further understand how insurance works in the event of a motorcycle accident.
Other Florida motorcycle laws that may affect your case include:
- Helmet law: Riders over 21 are not required to wear a helmet if they carry at least $10,000 in medical insurance. However, failure to wear a helmet can sometimes reduce your compensation if it worsens your injuries.
- Lane splitting: Although lane filtering and lane splitting are becoming increasingly accepted, the practices are still illegal in Florida. Though doing so may not bar you from filing a claim altogether, it could lower the amount of money you recover as well.
Understanding these laws and how they interact with your claim is critical. Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Lakeland can answer any questions you may have during your free case review, so call today to schedule a time to meet.
Proving Negligence in a Lakeland Motorcycle Accident Case
To recover damages in Florida, you must show that another party was responsible for causing your accident.
This typically involves proving negligence, which requires establishing four key elements:
- Duty of care: The other driver had a duty to operate their vehicle safely and follow traffic laws.
- Breach of duty: They violated that duty by engaging in unsafe behavior, such as speeding or texting while driving
- Causation: Their actions directly caused the crash.
- Damages: You suffered injuries and financial losses as a result.
If you hire us, we can collect police reports, medical records, witness testimony, and expert analysis to demonstrate these elements. In cases involving multiple parties or commercial vehicles, liability can become complex. We’ll make sure that every negligent party is held accountable.
Contact Our Lakeland Motorcycle Accident Attorneys To Schedule a Free Consultation
A motorcycle accident in Lakeland, Florida, can change your life forever. State law allows you to take legal action against the at-fault party or parties, but you may need a lawyer to help you recover all of the monetary damages you’re due.
At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, we have over 119 years of combined legal experience and have recovered tens of millions of dollars for accident victims across Florida. Our Lakeland motorcycle accident lawyers know what it takes to fight insurance companies and win meaningful results for our clients. Call today to schedule a free consultation.
Motorcycle Accident Infographic
