Motorcycle Accident in Davie, Florida

Motorcycles can be a great way to explore the Davie, Florida area in Broward County. You’ll be able to experience the sunny conditions and drive down some of the most beautiful roads in the country.

But this can come with a downside, the risk of being involved with a serious accident is much higher for motorcycle riders. You won’t have the same protection as those in cars. There are no airbags or seatbelts. Here is what you need to know if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Davie, Florida.

Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Sadly, motorcycle accidents are fairly common in Broward County Florida. There are many reasons why this might happen. Sometimes, the other driver might have been drunk or high on drugs. This can impact their ability to break. It can also impact the decision-making part of the brain, causing them to drive recklessly. It’s estimated that 746 deaths resulted from these factors in 2019.

At other times, the motorcycle accident might have been caused by the driver’s negligence. For example, you might have been in their blind spot, so they couldn’t see you. At other times, they might have been making a dangerous turn, cutting in front of you. 

What Compensation Can You Claim After a Motorcycle Accident?

If you, or someone you know, has been injured in a Davie motorcycle accident in Broward County, Florida, you will be entitled to claim compensation. There are a few types of compensation that you can claim. First, you’ll be able to get economic damages. These are things like hospital bills and medication. It also extends to any time that you had to take off work. If your loved one died, you might be able to get compensated for the funeral expenses.

Next, you can claim for non-economic damages. These are things like the pain and suffering that you experienced during the recovery process. You might also be able to claim for disfigurement if you were left scarred by the motorcycle accident.

If the other driver was reckless, the judge might opt to impose punitive damages. These are designed to punish drivers. They are meant to be harsh, acting as a deterrent.

How Fault Affects Compensation

One of the biggest concerns that most people have is what will happen if they contributed to the accident. In this case, the comparative negligence laws will apply. In this case, the judge will need to decide what percentage of fault you contributed to the motorcycle accident. This will determine how much compensation you will receive.

For example, let’s assume that it’s found that you were 60 percent at fault for the accident. In this case, you would only receive 40 percent of the awarded compensation.

What to Do if You Have Been Involved in a Davie Motorcycle Accident?

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in the Davie, Florida area, there are a few things that you need to do. This will give you the best chance of getting the compensation that you deserve.

Call the Davie Police

The first thing to do is call the Davie authorities. They will be able to investigate the accident and find out what caused it. This police report will a useful piece of evidence for your personal injury lawyers. Furthermore, when the police arrive at the scene, they will be able to assess you for injuries. If needed, they will call for an ambulance to take you to the hospital.

Take Photos of the Scene

The next thing that you need to do is take pictures. This is one of the most important pieces of evidence that you will have at your disposal. You will need to show the injuries that you received. You will also have to show any damage that your bike received. Take a picture of the site where the motorcycle accident occurred. This is a good way of demonstrating the conditions. Marks on the road can also be used to prove who was at fault.

Talk to Witnesses

The next step is to talk to those who witnessed the motorcycle accident. They will be able to verify your version of events. It’s also vital that you talk to the driver who struck you. Make sure to get their contact information. This will be needed to fill out the insurance claim.

See a Doctor

Even a motorcycle accident that occurs at low speed has the potential to do a lot of damage. As a result, you should always visit a doctor after the accident. This is still an important step even if you don’t feel any pain. Sometimes, the adrenaline that has been released into your system will be blocking the pain receptors.

The sooner the doctor can diagnose your injuries, the quicker you will be able to start treatment. This will give you the best chance of making a full recovery. Plus, it will make it easier for you to link your injuries with the accident.

If you wait too long to see a doctor, the insurance company might use this against you. They can claim that if you waited for a few days the injury can’t have been as severe as you stated. Going to see the doctor right away will take away any risk that they will reject the claim.

Be Careful What You Say

Sometimes, in the days following the accident, you will get a call from the insurance company. They will be attempting to ask you leading questions. The hope is that you will underplay the pain caused by the injury. As a result, they will have a reason to deny the claim.

You also need to be careful what you say on social media. The comments that you make can be construed as negating the injury. This might be used as evidence that it isn’t as severe as you claimed. 

Get a South Florida Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Finally, you need to make sure that you get a good Broward County lawyer. They will be able to help you prepare your claim. This will give you the best chance of getting compensation. It’s best to see them soon after the accident, so the incident is still fresh in your memory.