How To Pick The Best Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Published on: 20 July 2023 Last Updated on: 24 June 2024

Nothing can compare to hopping on your bike and having a long, soul-quenching ride. Florida bikers know that the state has some fantastic roads to ride on. From Gainesville to Ocala to Fort Lauderdale, there are hundreds of miles of beautiful scenery while barreling down the road. Unfortunately, a motorcycle accident can kill the good vibes quicker than an alligator’s snap.

If your shiny side went belly up and you’ve got a bellyful of road rash, get in touch with the motorcycle accident lawyers at Meldon Law. While you’re recovering from your crash, they’ll fight for you to receive the best settlement possible.

How To Pick A Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle accidents can be particularly tragic. Any accident, no matter how minor, can cause life-altering injuries when rolling around on two wheels. Pavement isn’t kind and can cause painful road rash, snap bones, and worse. Bikers who’ve been hit can be affected deeper than physical injuries, and these emotional scars can run deep.

To be fully compensated for their physical and emotional trauma, bikers should hire the best motorcycle accident attorney they can find. But how do you pick the best one? Here are some tips for finding the best personal injury attorney for a motorcycle accident lawsuit.

Word Of Mouth

Chances are, if you know other folks who ride regularly, one of them has probably been in a crash. And if they have, they’ve also probably filed a personal injury lawsuit. Ask around, and if you find a trusted buddy working with a personal injury attorney, ask them about the experience. Sometimes word of mouth advertising is the best and the most honest.

Experience

When searching for a personal injury attorney for your bike accident, it’s best to seek out one with a background in not just personal injury lawsuits but motorcycle accidents. Bike crash incidents can be very different from other types of vehicular accidents, and working with an attorney with an extensive background in your type of case can help you get the best results.

Proven Results

Once you’ve located one or a few law firms with a background in motorcycle cases, ask for proof of their successful motorcycle accident lawsuits and how often they obtain satisfactory settlements. You’ll want to work with an attorney whose track record of results is exemplary.

Costs And Fees

There’s no need to hire an attorney asking for an upfront fee as a retainer. Most personal injury attorneys with motorcycle accident experience will not only offer a free consultation to discuss your case’s details, but they also work for a contingency fee. This means they’ll only be paid if you win a settlement, and they’ll take a percentage of what you recover for your damages.

Other Information For Florida Motorcycle Crash Victims

For bikers involved in a crash seeking justice and compensation, navigating Florida’s personal injury laws can quickly become a confusing blur of legalese. Riders on two wheels aren’t required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage like those on four wheels are required to do. This makes it much easier for bikers to go straight to a lawsuit before filing a claim with their insurance company.

Florida Helmet Laws

Florida Statute 316.211 can be a bit confusing when understanding the state’s helmet law. The statute states that all motorcycle riders must wear protective headgear that’s securely fastened. However, this helmet law bites the dust if the motorcycle operator is 21 or older and carries an insurance policy that covers at least $10,000 in medical benefits in the event of a motorcycle crash.

It’s on many a biker’s mind if they can still file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver of the accident if they weren’t wearing a helmet. The answer is yes, but it could make receiving a favorable settlement more difficult. Although comparable negligence doesn’t apply to motorcycle laws as to seatbelt laws for automobile drivers, insurance companies and defense lawyers will use the lack of wearing a helmet to deny or reduce the settlement amount.

How To Pick The Best Motorcycle Crash Lawyer Explained

After a motorcycle accident, your priority is to seek medical attention. Even the most minor of falls from a motorcycle can cause severe, life-changing medical issues. The next priority is to find the best motorcycle accident attorney so you can file a lawsuit and recover your damages.

Each motorcycle crash personal injury case is different and requires the attention of a legal team with practical experience with cases similar to yours. Helmet or no helmet, you can still seek to recover damages from the accident. The best way to receive maximum compensation is to work with a law firm that has the know-how to handle the nuances of a motorcycle accident lawsuit.

Read Also:

Abdul Aziz Mondol

Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

View all posts

Why It’s So Important To Hire A Lawyer After A Fatal Car Accident

Car accidents occur a lot more often than they should, so much so that the Bureau of Transportation Statistics estimates about 13 auto accidents are recorded every minute in the US. That translates to approximately 1,440 accidents every day. That said, accidents vary in severity; there are instances where those involved walk out unscathed or with minor injuries. In other cases, injuries are much more severe or even result in death. Unfortunately, 115 people die in fatal crashes daily, with one death every 13 minutes. Most fatal car accidents can be avoided and usually result from drivers’ mistakes, including distracted driving, DUI, speeding, etc. Now, if your loved one was killed in an auto accident and you have reason to believe the other party was at fault, you can sue for damages. However, you want to do so through a fatal car accident lawyer because they’ll: Determine Whether You Have a Case Before you can actually file a fatal accident claim, you first want to figure out whether you have a case. Basically, there should be grounds to prove that the accident resulted from the negligent or reckless driving of the liable party. Thus, this is what a lawyer will ideally do first. They’ll look at the current facts of your case and advise you on whether you have or can build a strong case. You’ll have an idea of your chances at a positive outcome from the get-go. Investigate Your Case to Gather Evidence Once your lawyer has determined liability and identified the liable party, they’ll gather all the evidence available to strengthen your claim. In most cases, the plaintiffs don’t know or have access to the kind of evidence an attorney can get and, consequently, fail to prove liability beyond reasonable doubt. And that denies them the compensation they’re owed. Estimate the Damages You Deserve While you can calculate how much you spent on hospital bills, medication, and funeral costs, it’s hard to put a number on the suffering, anguish, and pain you have gone through due to losing a child, spouse, or parent in a fatal crash. But a car accident lawyer has experience dealing with similar cases and assesses your case to come up with a figure to claim. File a Claim on Your Family’s Behalf Fatal accident claims have a lot of paperwork that you need to put together to file a claim. A lawyer can help you ensure you have everything necessary before filing your claim with the proper courts or serving the liable party’s insurance in case of an out-of-court settlement. On top of that, a lawyer already has a good grasp of the law and will know what to do to comply with the process. Represent You During Negotiations or Trial Once your claim is filed, negotiations with the insurance company begin. In many cases, claims that make it to court also end up settling out of court. You want a lawyer to handle this stage for you as they’ll negotiate the best deal. Remember, the insurance company is a business whose goal is to pay as little as possible in claims to make a profit. So, they won’t give you a fair settlement without persuasion. And an attorney is the best person to persuade them. Give You the Best Shot at Winning a Settlement It’s not always guaranteed you will get a settlement for the death of your loved one, even if you’re sure that another party is liable. But with an attorney, you give your lawsuit the best chance of success. That’s because they have adequate experience to prove your case and will do everything possible to get the outcome you want. Don’t Risk Your Case: Get a Fatal Car Accident Lawyer to Handle It While you may have a strong case, some errors can ruin your chances of winning a settlement. Or you may unknowingly settle for much less than you’re owed. That is why getting a lawyer from the get-go is crucial to begin your lawsuit on the right footing. Working with an attorney increases your chances of winning maximum compensation and allows you to mourn your loved one as someone handles the claims process for you. Read Also: Navigating Adoption In Athens, Georgia: Finding The Right Adoption Lawyer Philadelphia Residents: How A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You? 4 Of The Most Common Vision Loss Injuries That Lawyers Handle

Why You Need To Consult With Employment Attorney Law Firm In California?

In the cases of whistleblowers, or employees who have been returned to the workplace after winning a wrongful termination suit, any action taken by an employer that is "materially detrimental" to an employee is considered retaliatory under the law. The following are examples of materially detrimental actions: Dismissal Being moved to a less desired position Being passed over for a promotion Not being hired/promoted are all examples of adverse employment actions. In addition, significantly unfavorable actions are measures that an employer might use to discourage an employee from engaging in a protected activity are also prohibited. Some of these unfavorable actions might include: Negating compensation for work. Click here for more on employee compensation. Suspending Any abuse or threats Damaging, erroneous assessments of, or reports about, family members' treatment So What May You Do Without Fear Of Reprisal? According to the statute, workers are shielded from retaliation for engaging in certain "protected activities." The following statutes establish these guaranteed rights, and the EEOC is responsible for enforcing most of them. Relevant laws are: Specifically, the (ADA), The Age Discrimination in the Workplace Act (ADEA) The Title VII of the Civil Rights of 1964 Section 501 of said Rehabilitation Act There are also laws protecting employees' right to fair compensation and privacy of medical information and the safeguarding of employee privileges The US Dept of Labor established OSHA to shield workers who blow the whistle by filing complaints or exercising their rights from any kind of reprisal. Go to Whistleblowers.gov for additional information. There are strict deadlines for reporting retaliation that must be met before a claim can be filed with OSHA. Three Broad Types Of Lawful Pursuits These broad categories are summarized in this article and include the vast majority of legally sanctioned pursuits: If an employee has a good faith and reasonable suspicion that their employer is engaging in unlawful conduct, he or she has a duty to disclose this suspicion, either to the company's internal compliance department or to the appropriate authorities. An employer cannot take any action against an employee that would have a "materially detrimental effect" because of this protected behavior. Real-world scenarios where an employee could disclose criminal activity include: Disclose sexual harassment incidents Having experienced prejudice of some kind Confronting dangerous workplace circumstances and reporting them False claims that the employer violated the law by not paying overtime or providing mandatory breaks What is known as "whistleblowing" is a distinct field, however, any of these circumstances may be covered under the broad term of whistleblowing. Possessing And Using One's Employee Rights Many different agencies, both federal and state, have tackled the issue of protecting workers' rights. Limits on drug testing, the right to a minimum salary, paid and unpaid parental leave, the ability to return to civilian employment after military duty, the right to a safe and healthy workplace environment, etc. all fall within this vast category of employment law. The threat of retaliatory wrongful termination (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrongful) exists whenever an employee seeks to exercise a legal privilege that is not to the liking of the employer. Here are some frequent instances in which an employer may retaliate against a worker who is only asserting his or her rights: Making a request for reasonable accommodations due to a disability or religious beliefs Asking for a cut of tips received Using paid time off for things like medical leave or civic duties like voting or jury duty Taking part in a government inquiry - Employees have the right to take part in any legal proceedings, including investigations and hearings, that involve their employer. This includes situations when an employee is asked to testify against their employer in court or when they voluntarily offer information to government authorities about the company's procedures. There is an almost infinite list of potential motives for retaliation against a worker. Retaliation cases have the largest volume and proportion of all EEOC claims. Retaliation allegations have been on the rise over the years, now making up about 45 percent of all claims filed with the commission. Verifying Retaliation These three conditions must be met before an employee may file a claim with the EEOC against their employer: There had been a protected event. Employer reprimand or discipline All of the aforementioned are linked together because of a causal relationship, which proves retaliation. It is reasonably difficult to prove the third criterion, the connection between the employee's protected action and their subsequent firing. There can always be a “reason” for employee termination, especially in a right-to-work state. This means any and all evidence to the claim must be handled in a timely and efficient manner by an employment attorney to provide the appropriate documentation to file a case. The link might be established based on either direct or circumstantial evidence. Finding remarks in writing or verbally that show the case is an example of direct evidence, whereas circumstances that suggest retribution were taken into account indirectly are examples of circumstantial evidence. The burden of proof is with the employee; it is not on the employer to refute the allegation. For retaliation to be presumed to have taken place, there must be evidence that supports that likelihood. Protections Against Retaliation If the court finds that retaliation occurred, the following compensation is possible: Pay in advance or readmission to work pending employment Discretionary funds The costs you spent before, during, and after your employment ended unfairly Legal costs and time in court Compensation for mental anguish Damage awards against private companies as punishment In many instances of retaliation, the parties are able to come to an agreement out of court and avoid going to trial. The amount of a retaliation settlement is determined by the nature of the dispute and the likelihood of the result. Companies often choose to settle employment disputes rather than risk the high costs of litigation if an employee has a compelling case. However, it is always important to speak with a professional employment attorney as quickly as possible in order to ascertain the validity of your case. Read Also: Can an Employee Claims for a Personal Injury When Working From Home? Understanding How Employee Recognition Can Aid Your Consulting Firm Picking the Right Law Firm for You and Your Family

First Step To Dealing With Discrimination In The Workplace

Workplace disputes and challenges can be stressful. Daunting, even, when things take a more serious turn. When injustices transpire, it becomes more difficult to work without constantly fearing said injustices. Facing discrimination in the workplace should not deter you from standing up for your rights as an employee. Instead, here are the primary steps to take when they do. Steps To Take Against Workplace Discrimination Dealing with work discrimination can be jarring. You are feeling intimidated, and extremely anxious. Thinking almost everyone is against you. However, your one step can be a big movement for that organization still throwing a blind eye to discrimination. So, here is where you should start! 1. Talk To A Lawyer Regardless of what kind of discrimination you face at work, the distressing fact is that the courts have strict rules for what qualifies under “work discrimination.” You will need an expert who is knowledgeable about this segment of the law to push your claim forward. Hiring a lawyer does not instantaneously mean you are to brace yourself for upcoming court matters. Doing so is a kind of “safeguard.” How? A lawyer can help you recount the charges you are making and inform you about what qualifies under work discrimination, especially what you can legally do about it. That, and in an objective manner. 2. List Down The Offensive Actions Committed Against You We understand that recounting such actions can be painful, or traumatizing for others. Yet this is a crucial step that requires your attention— listing down every offense your perpetrators have carried out. Called a journal for tracking discriminatory behavior, be as detailed as possible with your entries. Be sure to include the date, location, and time each one took place. Alongside these, the perpetrator/s, witnesses (if there were), and other relevant information. 3. Report The Incident There is a possibility of them turning down your claim. Especially if it becomes apparent that you did not report the occurrences. As such, the company should be aware of these workplace events because it is a lawful requirement to act upon them. If they do not implement a body (due to the lack of familiarity regarding this motion), this could be held against them & you. Therefore, report the incident to your superiors and have Human Resources or any relevant department get these in writing and on record. 4. Understand The Incident Aside from speaking with your attorney about it, talk to your manager/s. Although quite in the minority, there are cases wherein acts were not deliberately made. Nevertheless, your superiors need to know of these to talk to the perpetrators and reiterate (or draft) company rules about work discrimination. It’s also an approach to seeking help with respect, and officially reporting the incident. 5. Prepare For Counterattacks And/Or Retaliation Even with legal advisers at your side, be ready for retaliation from your perpetrators. Whether through actions, threatening words, work-related retribution (i.e. disapproval of a raise, vacation leaves, etc.), be ready for them. But do not fret because a work-discrimination lawyer is aiding you every step of the way. The law can be used as your foundation and shield against those who premeditatedly intend for your harm within the walls of your workplace. What Kind Of Counterattacks We Are Talking About (...How To Deal With Them) When you report workplace discrimination, have you noticed subtle changes in how your work is evaluated? Is your performance suddenly being scrutinized even though your work hasn’t changed? Or are you being left out of important meetings? These are common forms of retaliation. But don’t worry, you can handle them! Keep track of everything. Documentation is key when it comes to proving your case later. Are You Being Excluded from Work? Are you dealing with meeting exclusion? Not on the loop on important information to achieve the right results? This is a deliberate strategy used to disempower you. Don’t let this become your reality! Stay focused, ask for what you need, and keep being professionally productive. Letting it be known that you cannot easily be pushed aside sends a strong message. Can You See Corporate Growth? Has a raise or promotion that seemed within reach suddenly been denied? This could be retaliation for your complaint. Look for patterns, keep all communication, and make sure to document everything. Your records will be important if you need to take legal action down the road. Stay focused, and don’t let these setbacks discourage you. Are You Facing Intimidation? Are you dealing with threats and verbal harassment? Unfortunately, this is a disturbing and common form of retaliation. Stay calm, and document any and all inappropriate comments or actions. Let your attorney know about what is happening. Yes, the more documentation, the better it is to prove your case. It Is Okay – You Got To Stay Strong Even if you’re getting hit with counter-complaints, know that it’s against the law for anyone to take revenge. Do you have a record of such avenging acts? Stay calm and be ready so you can easily prove your case rights. Keep going, and don’t let them intimidate or scare you. After all, they know you’ve had the courage to denounce their racism/sexism! They are seeing you as a threat and are scared, hence all the counterattacks. Better discuss these matters with your lawyer and start gaining evidence for your case. Read Also: 5 Safety Awareness Ideas to Maintain a Safe Workplace 5 Ways You Could Have Been Sexually Harassed in the Workplace How to Improve Workplace Security

How To Pick The Best Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney