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Orlando Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

If you or someone close to you has been in a motorcycle accident, get in touch with the Orlando motorcycle accident lawyers at Michael T. Gibson, P.A., Auto Justice Attorney today. You can either call our office at (407) 422-4529 or fill out one of our short contact forms. Our firm and our family are here for you.

The experienced Orlando motorcycle accidents lawyers at Michael T. Gibson, P.A., Auto Justice Attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (407) 422-4529 to speak with one of our atttorneys during your 100% free consultation.

Were you hurt in a motorcycle accident in Orlando, Florida? Many motorcycle crash victims suffer debilitating injuries that change their lives in an instant, sometimes permanently. To make matters worse, treatment for crash injuries is expensive, and many victims are too hurt to work after a crash. If you find yourself in this position, you should know that a motorcycle accident claim against the at-fault party could compensate you for the harm you suffered.

At Michael T. Gibson, P.A., representing injured Floridians is all we do. Our Orlando Motorcycle Accident Lawyer team has recovered substantial sums for motorcycle crash victims in Florida, and we’re here to help you pursue the accountability and financial stability you deserve. Give us a call now or fill out our online contact form to learn more about your legal options in a free initial case review.

Why Choose Michael T. Gibson, P.A.?

By Choosing a motorcycle accident attorney in Florida, why hire Michael T. Gibson, P.A.?

Here are just a few of the factors that set our firm apart:

  • Real-world experience and results. Michael T. Gibson, P.A., and his auto accident litigation team have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for deserving clients like you. In fact, we secured $275,000 for a local college student who sustained critical injuries in a motorcycle accident and $100,000 for a motorcycle accident victim who needed back surgery.
  • Commitment to personalized service. From the moment you come to us for help, you’ll realize we don’t take a cookie-cutter approach to our work. We will get to know you personally to provide the support you need and effective legal strategies that align with your goals.
  • Consistent communication and availability. Our experienced team is available 24/7/365 to listen to your concerns and answer your questions in English or Spanish. We also provide regular updates so you always know the status of your case.
  • Convenient Orlando office and flexible meeting options. When you’re ready to meet with us, you can come to our office in northeast Orlando, right near Baldwin Park, for an in-person consultation. We can also meet virtually or speak with you by phone at your leisure.

No matter how difficult or complex your Orlando motorcycle accident case is, the legal team at Michael T. Gibson, P.A., wants to help. Contact our firm now to discuss the details of your situation with us in a free case review.

Compensation for Orlando Motorcycle Accident Cases

You can recover three key types of damages (compensation) in an Orlando motorcycle accident case: economic, non-economic, and punitive.

Economic damages compensate you for the financial hm you suffered as a result of the crash, such as:

  • The costs of ambulance rides or other emergency services
  • Bills from hospital stays and doctor’s office visits
  • Diagnostic, prescription, and medical equipment expenses
  • The costs of traveling to and from medical appointments
  • The costs of home modifications or in-home healthcare
  • The value of lost wages from missed time at work
  • Projected losses in your lifetime earning capacity
  • The costs of repairing or replacing your motorcycle

Non-economic damages cover the real but subjective harm you suffered—the things that are harder to put a dollar value on.

They can include:

  • The physical pain and suffering you endure because of your injuries
  • Emotional distress and mental anguish you experience due to the crash
  • Losses in your overall quality or enjoyment of life since the accident
  • Loss of companionship or consortium for affected spouses

Collectively, economic and non-economic damages account for your compensatory damages—the damages that compensate you for the harm you have suffered.

The third type of possible compensation, punitive damages, only rarely comes into play. Courts order at-fault parties to pay punitive damages to victims as a form of financial punishment, mainly to discourage similar behavior in the future. This type of compensation is only available in lawsuits when a court determines the at-fault party behaved with extreme recklessness or intentional malice. Also, Florida law imposes a punitive damages cap of $500,000 or three times the value of your compensatory damages.

Remember that in a motorcycle accident claim, you must provide substantial evidence of your losses to claim compensation for them. An Orlando motorcycle accident lawyer can help you identify and gather compelling evidence to support an injury claim that adequately covers your losses.

Orlando Motorcycle Accident Facts and Statistics

Floridians love their motorcycles. In one recent year, there were more than 645,000 registered motorcycles throughout the Sunshine State, significantly more than any other state besides California. Florida is also home to the annual Daytona Bike Week, one of the world’s largest motorcycle rallies and going strong for over 80 years.

Unfortunately, Florida also has the dubious distinction of having the most motorcycle accident fatalities in the nation, even more than California, which has nearly twice its population.

Here are some more shocking motorcycle accident statistics in Florida:

  • An average of 8,694 motorcycle accidents happened every year in Florida in a recent three-year span.
  • During that same period, an average of 544 people died as a result of Florida motorcycle accidents per year, 515 of whom were motorcyclists.
  • Roughly 30 Florida motorcycle passengers died each year during that time.
  • During a recent three-year period, Florida motorcycle accidents resulted in an average of 2,027 incapacitating injuries and 5,469 other injuries per year.
  • In one recent year, 244 motorcyclists without DOT-compliant helmets died in Florida traffic accidents, accounting for more than 47 percent of all motorcycle accident fatalities that year.

Motorcycle accidents are clearly a problem in the Sunshine State, and Florida legislators have enacted certain laws to reduce the number of these preventable tragedies.

Here are some important laws you should know that apply to motorcyclists and motorcycle accidents in Orlando:

  • Motorcycle helmet requirements. Florida law requires motorcyclists to wear protective helmets while riding or carry $10,000 in medical insurance.
  • Requirements for motorcyclists under 21. Florida motorcyclists under 21 must wear helmets, regardless of insurance coverage, and display easily-identifiable license plates indicating that they are under 21.
  • Motorcycle insurance rules and restrictions. Florida’s no-fault insurance laws do not apply to motorcycles, so motorcyclists who get hurt in crashes cannot rely on personal injury protection (PIP) coverage as other drivers can. To obtain compensation for motorcycle accident injuries, motorcyclists must typically file liability insurance claims against at-fault drivers or their own medical payments (MedPay) or other relevant insurance policies.
  • Florida’s statute of limitations law. Florida’s statutory time limit for personal injury claims is four years, meaning you have four years from the date of a motorcycle accident to file a claim against another party.

At Michael T. Gibson, P.A., we are proud to stand up for the rights of motorcycle accident victims in Florida. Our team can review your case, determine its potential value, and explain which laws might apply when you contact the firm for a free initial consultation.

Types of Motorcycle Accidents and Injuries in Orlando

Every motorcycle crash is different, but many occur due to driver negligence.

When drivers are inattentive, impaired, or careless behind the wheel, they cause these motorcycle accidents:

  • Head-on collisions
  • Sideswipe crashes
  • T-bone accidents
  • Read-end collisions
  • Angle-impact crashes
  • Rollover accidents
  • Multi-car pile-ups
  • Dooring accidents
  • Ejection accidents

Motorcyclists are vulnerable to serious injury in traffic collisions, especially when they lack helmets and other protective gear.

Common motorcycle accident injuries include:

  • Head and neck injuries
  • Facial and dental injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Back and shoulder injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
  • Abdominal and internal injuries
  • Arm, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries
  • Dislocated or broken bones
  • Permanent scarring and disfigurement
  • Amputation and loss of limb
  • Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds
  • Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
  • Leg, knee, ankle, and foot injuries
  • Road rash and other burn injuries
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Filing an Insurance Claim After a Motorcycle Accident

Many motorcycle accident victims struggle to obtain full and fair compensation when they file insurance claims after a wreck. Severe motorcycle accidents leave many victims with debilitating injuries, expensive treatment needs, and a temporary or permanent inability to work. Together, these factors contribute to costly insurance claims, which those companies are always reluctant to pay.

When you file an insurance claim after a motorcycle accident in Orlando, you will likely need to include strong evidence of the other driver’s liability and the losses you have incurred as a result.

Depending on the circumstances, you could present evidence such as:

  • Video footage of the collision from helmet cams, dash cams, or traffic cameras
  • Photos of vehicle wreckage, visible injuries, and the surrounding crash scene
  • The official police accident report and any relevant toxicology test results
  • Statements from reliable eyewitnesses who saw the collision occur
  • Testimony from expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction specialists
  • The other driver’s cell phone, GPS, and vehicle maintenance records

Unfortunately, regardless of how strong your evidence or underlying claim is, you might also find yourself up against widespread anti-motorcycle biases. Many people, including police officers, insurance adjusters, and judges, have largely unconscious prejudices of motorcyclists as reckless individuals who are to blame for accidents by default.

These negative assumptions often work against motorcycle accident victims seeking fair settlements. Fortunately, you can fight back with the help of a knowledgeable attorney. The legal team at Michael T. Gibson, P.A. is familiar with the legal and social hurdles you face as a motorcyclist and has effective strategies to overcome them. Let us prepare the facts and evidence to demand full compensation for your losses.

What to Do When You Get Hurt in a Motorcycle Wreck

If you got hurt in an Orlando motorcycle accident, attending to your injuries should be your primary concern.

Once your condition is stable, you can take the following steps to get started on your motorcycle accident claim:

  • Follow your doctor’s care plan and attend all follow-up appointments
  • Record your recovery journey in a “pain journal” for future reference
  • Gather evidence from the crash, such as photos and witness names or statements
  • Hang on to important documents, like medical bills and proof of lost income
  • Watch what you say to others or post online before you speak to a lawyer
  • Contact a local motorcycle accident attorney for guidance and answers

Practice Areas

Injuries Suffered In Florida Motorcycle Accidents Can Be Catastrophic

You can recover three key types of damages (compensation) in an Orlando motorcycle accident case: economic, non-economic, and punitive.

Economic damages compensate you for the financial hm you suffered as a result of the crash, such as:

  • The costs of ambulance rides or other emergency services
  • Bills from hospital stays and doctor’s office visits
  • Diagnostic, prescription, and medical equipment expenses
  • The costs of traveling to and from medical appointments
  • The costs of home modifications or in-home healthcare
  • The value of lost wages from missed time at work
  • Projected losses in your lifetime earning capacity
  • The costs of repairing or replacing your motorcycle

Non-economic damages cover the real but subjective harm you suffered—the things that are harder to put a dollar value on.

They can include:

  • The physical pain and suffering you endure because of your injuries
  • Emotional distress and mental anguish you experience due to the crash
  • Losses in your overall quality or enjoyment of life since the accident
  • Loss of companionship or consortium for affected spouses

Collectively, economic and non-economic damages account for your compensatory damages – the damages that compensate you for the harm you have suffered.

The third type of possible compensation, punitive damages, only rarely comes into play. Courts order at-fault parties to pay punitive damages to victims as a form of financial punishment, mainly to discourage similar behavior in the future. This type of compensation is only available in lawsuits when a court determines the at-fault party behaved with extreme recklessness or intentional malice. Also, Florida law imposes a punitive damages cap of $500,000 or three times the value of your compensatory damages.

Remember that in a motorcycle accident claim, you must provide substantial evidence of your losses to claim compensation for them. An Orlando motorcycle accident lawyer can help you identify and gather compelling evidence to support an injury claim that adequately covers your losses.

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How an Orlando Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

A recent report indicated that the median hospital charge for Florida motorcyclists involved in a crash was $133,924. Even a simple in-and-out emergency room visit cost a median $9,537. The point is – motorcycle injuries are NOT cheap.

As you recover from your injuries, you will most likely miss work and are therefore losing regular income. Unexpected medical bills and unexpected lost wages can result in unexpected stress – a motorcycle injury lawyer can help alleviate some of that stress.

The main benefit of working with a motorcycle crash lawyer is the familiarity with handling motorcycle accident claims. Most motorcyclists have never been in an accident before, and once the phone begins to ring with messages from your insurance adjuster, things can become frustrating.

On average, commercial insurance policies paid for about half of the hospitalizations and emergency room visits due to motorcycle crashes. This means you will likely have to deal with an insurance company in the course of your settlement.

Your Orlando motorcycle accident attorney can be your voice when dealing with the insurance adjusters, which can save you time, money, and stress. You can focus on recovery while your motorcycle injury lawyer focuses on negotiating a fair settlement with the insurance company.

Many insurance adjusters will try to pressure claimants into accepting a quick settlement in order to downplay the serious costs a motorcycle accident can rack up. They know you are most likely desperate for funds to pay your medical bills, and if their initial settlement compensates for your current bills, you may be more likely to take it.

Before you accept this settlement, have it reviewed by a motorcycle crash lawyer – we will explain how your settlement should cover not only your current losses but also account for your future medical costs and lost wages.

Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident in Orlando?

Orlando Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Contact our Orlando motorcycle accident lawyers at Michael T. Gibson, P.A., Auto Justice Attorney today at (407) 422-4529. Our team is available 24/7 and ready to answer your questions. If we feel you have a case and we decide to work together, we’ll get started right away to obtain as much compensation for you as the law will allow. We look forward to helping you.

Need Legal Help? Let’s talk.

Some other important Florida Motorcycle Statistics to Consider:

These facts are part of the sad truth about motorcycle hazards – the Florida highways are still a dangerous place for motorcyclists to share the road.

The majority of motorcycle accidents in Florida involve male motorcyclists between the ages of 45 and 54.

Most motorcycle accidents occur in Miami-Dade, Pinellas, Volusia, Hillsborough, Palm Beach, Broward, Duval, Orange, Pasco and Brevard counties.

In one recent year, helmet use was reported at 49.3 percent, and 37 percent of the victims of fatal crashes were not wearing a helmet, according to the relevant crash data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Motorcycle Accident FAQs

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Do you have serious questions following an Orlando motorcycle accident? During this difficult time, you may have questions about everything from the value of your claim to the length of time it will take to settle. If you have specific questions about your situation, contact an attorney to get a better idea of how Florida law can influence your claim and/or the funds you ultimately receive for your injuries.

Michael T. Gibson, P.A., Auto Justice Attorney – An Orlando Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Who Gets Results

Motorcycle accidents require complex and time-consuming investigations to determine what caused the accident accurately. Working with a skilled and experienced Orlando motorcycle accident lawyer can allow you to recover compensation from the negligent driver.

We know that no amount of money will return you to your pre-crash condition or bring your loved one back after a fatal collision. We know that your loss is beyond compensation. But we also know that you have bills associated with your accident or your loved one’s death. You should not be responsible for paying those bills. That should be the sole responsibility of the at-fault negligent driver.

To help you achieve this goal, Michael T. Gibson, P.A., Auto Justice Attorney, works with you, providing you with the benefit of his years of experience helping other families collect the compensation they deserved. If you choose to work with us, we will act as your legal advocate, be your voice, deal with insurance companies, and manage the legal process so you can spend time with your family. While we cannot guarantee the outcome of any future case, we have recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients to help them in their most difficult times.

Contact Michael T. Gibson, P.A., Auto Justice Attorney, today to learn more about the support and guidance you can receive.

View All FAQs

Yes, you can still file a claim. The fact that you were riding without a helmet does not, in itself, increase your chances of involvement in an accident. However, the insurance company might insist that it should not have to pay your full claim because wearing a helmet could have prevented certain injuries. Seek representation from an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer if this happens to you.

You might feel tempted to let the insurance company handle the details so you don’t have to, but you will almost certainly leave substantial money on the table if you do. Securing fair compensation in a motorcycle accident claim is difficult without extensive experience and a willingness to negotiate aggressively.

If you attempt to navigate the process on your own, you might end up with a lowball settlement or walk away with nothing. A lawyer will know what your claim is worth and how to help you get it.

Any of these factors could affect how much your injury claim is worth:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • Any pre-existing medical conditions
  • The nature and cost of your medical needs
  • Whether your injuries prevent you from working
  • Who is liable for your injuries
  • Whether you were wearing a helmet
  • Whether you bear partial fault
  • Which insurance policies cover your losses

The compensation you receive for your injuries in an Orlando motorcycle accident will depend on the extent of your injuries and how they impact you financially. Consult with an attorney to get a better idea of exactly how much compensation you deserve for the specific injuries you faced in your motorcycle accident.

Your personal injury protection insurance will provide the first coverage after your motorcycle accident. If you do not suffer injuries that exceed the coverage of your personal injury protection insurance, you may still need help from us if your PIP coverage refuses to cover your costs. Your medical expenses may form the bulk of your personal injury claim. Usually, a personal injury claim will cover both the economic and non-economic losses associated with a severe injury in an accident.

This includes:
– Your medical expenses
– Your lost wages due to missing time at work
– Your pain and suffering

An attorney can help you quantify those losses and help you identify and collect all the bills associated with your accident. The insurance carried by the driver who caused your accident may also limit your compensation. Florida drivers must carry a minimum of $10,000 of coverage to help pay medical bills for another driver injured in an accident that they caused. Sometimes, however, the cost of your injuries may exceed the coverage you have for those injuries.

Many types of injuries lead to substantial medical bills in motorcycle accidents. In some cases, those medical bills may continue for years after your accident, especially if you suffer severe, life-altering injuries. As your medical bills accumulate, you may find yourself worrying about how you will pay. Bodily injury coverage from the other driver’s policy can help, but it may not fully cover your medical expenses, especially not your long-term medical expenses.

Consider some of these options:

– An attorney may help identify other parties that contributed to your injuries. Sometimes, multiple entities contribute to motorcycle accidents: not just other drivers but others who share liability for the accident. These other parties may include:

  • The driver’s employer, if the driver was taking care of work responsibilities at the time of the accident,
  • The vehicle manufacturer, if mechanical errors led to an accident.
  • A mechanic who failed to properly repair the vehicle.

Identifying these other parties that may have contributed to the accident can help you seek additional compensation for your injuries. Often, these other parties may carry substantially higher insurance policies, which may provide higher degrees of protection following your accident.

– Your medical insurance will help cover many of your bills. Your medical insurance company may require you to use any settlement that you receive to help cover your medical bills first. Once your medical bills exceed that provision, medical insurance can help pay many of your medical expenses. Contact your medical insurance company to ask what coverage you can expect following an accident caused by another party, including what proof you need to submit regarding your personal injury claim.

– Many hospitals will assist with payment arrangements. Hospitals usually work with patients to help provide them with high-quality care in spite of an inability to pay immediately. Contact the hospital or your doctors to learn what aid they can provide as you work to pay for your medical bills and receive the treatment you need for your injuries.

Florida law does not require drivers and riders over the age of 21 to wear a helmet while riding their motorcycles as long as they can provide proof that they carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection coverage. Regardless of whether you chose to wear a helmet at the time of your accident, you can still file for compensation from the driver or another party that caused your accident if your losses exceed your PIP coverage.

Wearing a helmet can offer many vital protections in a motorcycle accident, significantly decreasing the risk of head and neck injury. Wearing a helmet can decrease the risk of severe head injury in a motorcycle accident by as much as 69 percent and the risk of death by 42 percent.

Ideally, you should always wear protective gear when riding your motorcycle to help provide as much protection as possible if you do have an accident. The lack of protective gear, however, will not prohibit you from seeking compensation for any injuries, including head injuries, due to a motorcycle accident.

You can take many steps to protect yourself before a motorcycle accident, including wearing appropriate protective gear, paying careful attention to other drivers around you on the road, and following the rules of the road whenever you ride. After an accident, you should take this necessary precautions to protect your future:

1. Do not accept responsibility, even partial responsibility, for the accident. A police officer may approach you at the scene of the accident or in the hospital after your accident, depending on the severity of your injuries and whether you can answer questions immediately or require immediate medical attention. Do not accept responsibility for the accident or make any statement that may indicate that you accept responsibility for the injuries. You should answer the officer’s questions honestly but without implying fault. Provide as much detail as you remember from the accident.

2. Seek medical care as soon as possible. Many motorcycle riders may feel tempted to avoid the hospital after an accident, especially if they can walk around the scene of the accident. Any time you suffer an accident, however, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Seeking medical attention can:

– Identify the full extent of your injuries. Adrenaline and endorphins can often combine to prevent you from feeling injuries immediately after the accident. You may not realize the severity of your injuries until that adrenaline has time to fade.

– Prevent you from mistakenly worsening injuries. If you walk around without medical care, you can accidentally cause your injuries to get worse. Often, accident victims worsen their injuries unintentionally because they do not recognize the full severity of those injuries or know what to do to prevent further problems.

– Provide clear evidence of when your injuries occurred. If you need to seek compensation for medical expenses associated with your injuries, you may need to provide evidence about when the injuries occurred and how the accident happened. If you do not go to the hospital, the insurance company’s attorney may attempt to claim that your injuries occurred elsewhere and that the company does not have to pay you for your injuries.

3. Follow the recommendations of your doctors. Your doctors and physical therapists may provide lengthy recommendations about your recovery. Some people might ignore those recommendations and attempt to return to their normal activities as soon as they feel able. You might try to forego therapy due to lack of time. However, failure to follow those recommendations could cause you to inadvertently worsen your injuries. If you worsen your injuries yourself, it could reduce the total amount of compensation that you ultimately receive for your injuries.

4. Write down or record your statement of events as soon as possible. Your memory may fade quickly after an accident. While the feelings from the accident may remain, or you may have flashbacks about the accident, you may not remember all the details that contributed to your accident. Those details may blur, or your memories may be impacted by other people’s statements about the accident. Record your statement of events as soon as possible, whether you create a written report or use an audio recorder to give a verbal report about the accident. Ideally, you want your statement and your memory as clear as possible.

5. Contact an attorney as soon after the accident as you can. Do not wait to get in touch with an attorney, even if you feel you may need to wait to file your personal injury claim. An attorney can provide valuable advice and assistance at every stage after your motorcycle accident, and having that attorney on your side can help provide peace of mind, reduce stress, and prevent you from missing out on compensation.

Talk to an experienced personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement offer after a motorcycle accident. Often, insurance companies will attempt to minimize their financial liability by issuing low settlement offers. These offers frequently arrive soon after the accident itself, when you have not yet determined what the aftereffects of that accident will look like in regards to your finances or your overall health and recovery. Consulting with an attorney will give you a better idea of exactly how much compensation you should expect and when to accept a settlement offer—as well as when you should continue to negotiate.

You should contact an attorney immediately after your motorcycle accident. In some cases, that attorney may advise waiting to file your personal injury claim. Filing your claim soon after your accident can help get much-needed funds in your hands sooner. However, in some cases, while you will need to seek medical treatment and a lawyer’s advice immediately, you may want to wait to file your personal injury claim.

You suffered severe injuries and need to let your healing progress before filing a claim. Many injuries may take six months or even a year to heal before a doctor can fully evaluate how much of a recovery after a motorcycle accident you will make. If your injuries have a long-term impact, it can impact both the medical bills you will face and the overall value of your claim. Some types of injuries, including burns, may also have a high likelihood of severe complications that can add to your medical costs and your overall recovery. Your attorney may advise waiting until you have a better idea of how your healing will progress and how much ground you can expect to gain back before filing your personal injury claim.

You do not know all the factors that contributed to your accident. In some motorcycle accidents, multiple entities contribute to the accident: not just other drivers, but the driver’s employer, the manufacturer of a driver’s vehicle, or a mechanic that recently worked on that vehicle. Your attorney may need time to investigate your accident and determine all of the factors that contributed to it before filing your personal injury claim.

It can take time to file a personal injury claim and secure compensation after a motorcycle accident. Your attorney may need time to investigate your accident and get a better idea of all the factors that contributed to your accident. If you need to ask for significant compensation due to high medical bills and severe injuries, it can take longer to settle your claim. While the funds you receive in compensation can provide vital financial aid that makes it possible for you to pay your medical bills and cover your regular bills during your recovery, you should prepare for it to take time to settle your motorcycle accident claim.