Motorcycle Accident Attorney in New Port Richey

Have you been hurt in a motorcycle accident in New Port Richey? Did someone else’s carelessness or reckless behavior cause the accident? If so, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses due to the accident.

You shouldn’t have to shoulder the financial losses you sustained in a motorcycle crash caused by someone else’s fault. Contact our motorcycle accident attorney in New Port Richey today.

The New Port Richey motorcycle accident lawyers at Zervos & Calta, PLLC have the skills and experience to help you hold the at-fault party accountable for your accident-related losses. We have successfully represented numerous motorcycle injury victims in Florida. We are ready to help you seek full compensation for your losses. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in New Port Richey?

Motorcycle accidents occur in many ways. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes include:

• Distracted driving – Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of traffic-related accidents. Automobile drivers may fail to see a motorcyclist because they are distracted by talking or texting on the phone, using a GPS, eating and drinking, personal grooming, adjusting the radio, or reaching for items.
• Drunk driving – Alcohol impairs a driver’s ability to judge traffic situations. An automobile driver or another motorcyclist who is impaired may be slow to respond to changes in traffic and cause a crash.
• Following too closely – If a driver is tailgating a motorcycle and the motorcyclist suddenly slows down, the driver may not have enough time to react to avoid a rear-end collision.
• Failure to yield – Drivers often violate the right-of-way of motorcyclists. A driver making a left turn at an intersection may misjudge the speed of an oncoming motorcyclist and turn in front of the motorcycle, causing a crash.
• Reckless driving – Motorists who drive recklessly around motorcyclists may cause motorcycle accidents. Reckless driving behaviors include speeding, aggressive driving, unsafe lane changes, and more.
• Driving too fast for conditions – Adverse weather conditions or road conditions may require drivers to reduce their speed. Drivers who drive too fast in hazardous conditions are more likely to cause accidents.
• Road defects – Road defects such as large potholes can easily cause a motorcyclist to crash since motorcycles are less stable than cars. In these accidents, a government agency responsible for road maintenance may be liable for negligent maintenance of the road.
• Defective parts – In rare cases, defective parts could be to blame. For example, if the motorist who hit you had defective brakes, then it’s possible that the manufacturer of the defective part could be liable for the accident.

In most cases, the driver who caused the motorcycle accident will be financially liable.

What Are Some Common Injuries Experienced in Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycle accidents frequently result in severe and even fatal injuries. Unlike car occupants, who have safety features like seat belts, and airbags to protect them from the force of a collision, motorcyclists have only their riding gear and helmet.

Because motorcyclists don’t have the protection of an enclosed passenger compartment, they are usually directly impacted in a crash.

Some common injuries in motorcycle accidents include:

• Broken and fractured bones – Bone fractures are commonly sustained in motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists may suffer broken arms, broken legs, or broken hips in a crash. Some broken bones require surgery and lengthy recovery and rehabilitative care.
• Internal injuries – Common internal injuries include a ruptured spleen, a ruptured liver, a ruptured diaphragm, ruptured kidneys, and punctured lungs if the ribs are broken.
• Back and spine injuries – Back injuries, ruptured discs, and fractured vertebrae are common motorcycle accident injuries. If the spinal cord is injured, paralysis might occur.
• Traumatic brain injuries – Traumatic brain injuries can range from concussions to life-threatening injuries. Many brain injuries require emergency medical care to prevent additional damage from swelling. TBIs can cause psychological problems, including memory loss and changes in personality, emotion, reasoning, and logic. Wearing a motorcycle helmet can help prevent TBIs.
• Road rash – Road rash is a common injury suffered by riders who are thrown from their motorcycle onto the pavement. Wearing a leather jacket can help prevent road rash.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another motorist’s carelessness, you may have a right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party to cover your medical expenses and other losses.

What Compensation Is Available in New Port Richey Motorcycle Accident Cases?

Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state, but no-fault laws do not apply to motorcycle accidents. Even if you have a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy on your automobile, it doesn’t cover you if you are injured on a motorcycle.

The owners of motorcycles in Florida are not required to have insurance to register the motorcycle. However, a motorcyclist who is charged with causing an accident will need to show proof of financial responsibility, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety. Many motorcyclists satisfy the financial responsibility requirement by purchasing bodily injury liability insurance to cover injuries to others in a motorcycle crash. Some motorcyclists purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to provide protection in case they are hit by a driver without insurance.

If you are seriously injured in an accident in New Port Richey while riding a motorcycle and another driver was at fault, then the losses you suffer may well exceed the limits of any insurance you have. You may need to file a claim against the liability insurance of the at-fault driver. If the other driver’s insurance company denies responsibility, you may need to pursue a personal injury lawsuit.

Through a personal injury claim, you may seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Property damage, such as motorcycle repairs
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish

A New Port Richey motorcycle accident attorney at Zervos & Calta, PLLC can help you calculate the cost of your medical bills and your accident expenses and quantify your non-financial losses, such as pain and suffering.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accidents in Florida?

In the state of Florida, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver in a motor vehicle accident. This is known as the Statute of Limitations. By this Florida law, if you fail to initiate legal action against the driver within that time frame, the court will likely dismiss your case. So, time is of the essence. Do not delay.