Orlando Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, our Orlando motorcycle accident lawyers at Michael T. Gibson, P.A., Auto Justice Attorney are here to help you get the compensation you deserve. 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 accident 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 attorneys during your 100% free consultation.
Do You Need an Orlando Motorcycle Attorney?
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. for Your Orlando Motorcycle Accident Case?
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 in Orlando
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 in Orlando
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