Gainesville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
If you or your loved one has suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident in Gainesville, you don’t have to fight alone while you’re trying to recover. Call our Gainesville motorcycle accident lawyers now at (352) 505-8093 for a free consultation.
Motorcycle accident injuries can cause overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and long-term pain and suffering. Insurance companies often place undeserved blame on motorcycle riders or minimize their suffering to avoid paying fair compensation. Our Gainesville motorcycle accident attorneys can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Our Experienced Law Firm Will Help You After a Motorcycle Crash in Gainesville
Without an experienced Gainesville motorcycle accident lawyer on your side, you may be disadvantaged from the start of your motorcycle injury claim. Insurance companies handle claims like yours daily, and highly skilled adjusters and defense attorneys will represent them.
They may express some sympathy for your situation, but they won’t have your best interests at heart. Instead, they’ll look for ways to minimize your payout or deny your claim altogether.
We’re Ready to Fight For You:
Our family-centered, client-centric law firm has protected accident victims and their families since 1979. Our caring and skilled motorcycle accident attorneys in Gainesville lead with compassion, which drives us to fight aggressively for each client. We pride ourselves on our commitment to putting clients first.
Putting clients first is more than just a clever slogan for us. It is a commitment that we live out every day by doing the following:
- Our attorneys work as a team rather than competitors. Combining their diversified experience and resources helps us maximize your results, and this is what matters to us the most.
- We will meet with you in your home, the hospital, or wherever is most convenient for you.
- You can count on your legal team to answer your calls any time of the day, any day of the week, not just from 9 to 5 on weekdays.
- We treat every client with honesty, dignity, and respect.
- We’ve won over $2 billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients, and these results are no accident. We get results through caring, understanding, and hard work.
Our Gainesville personal injury law office has a small-firm atmosphere where we treat you like family, but we have big law firm resources as part of Farah & Farah. Insurance companies invest big bucks to defeat accident claims, and it takes big bucks to fight back. We won’t hesitate to invest the resources needed to maximize your compensation, and you never owe us anything unless we win.
Increase the odds of a meaningful financial recovery by hiring an experienced Gainesville personal injury lawyer. Your choice of attorney can make a world of difference in how your case unfolds.
Our Clients See How Much We Care
The compassion of our supportive personal injury attorneys in Gainesville shines through in everything we do. This is evident in our client testimonials.
The Farah & Farah team in Gainesville is just amazing! The previous attorney wanted us to settle for almost nothing, and the team was able to get 3x what the other attorney offered and made sure there were not any medical bills outstanding. Great job- thank you for such great representation!
I was hit by a drunk driver. If it weren't for Farah & Farah, I would have lost everything. They worked with me step by step through the entire legal process. Anytime I had a question or concern, they had time for me. Should I ever need an attorney again, I will gladly go to this duo from the Gainesville Farah & Farah office. Highly recommended and very much appreciated.
The one word that I could use to describe Ms. Whitney and Aliyah is, ‘Awesome.’ At the Farah & Farah Gainesville office, they listened to me with understanding, kindness, respect, and professionalism while helping me with my injury case. Keep up the excellent work, ladies. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.
We Have Decades of Experience Handling All Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases
With nearly 45 years of experience handling motorcycle accident cases, we have seen firsthand the unique challenges riders face following a motorcycle accident. You may face unfair blame for the accident because of an incomplete investigation or the stigma too often attached to motorcycle riders.
We know what it takes to overcome these challenges, and you will have the strongest advocacy available in our Gainesville motorcycle accident lawyers. We have successfully recovered compensation after nearly every type of motorcycle accident, including the following:
- Rear-end collisions
- Sideswipes
- Lane-switching accidents
- Lane-splitting accidents
- High-speed accidents
- Intersection accidents
- Blind spot accidents
- Corner-turning accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Fatal motorcycle accidents
No two motorcycle accidents are the same. We understand how to construct claims involving each of these types of wrecks to achieve top results.
Make it clear to negligent parties and insurers that you’re not giving up without a fight or settling for less than you deserve. Put our experienced legal team in your corner. We offer a free initial case evaluation, so call our Gainesville law office today at (352) 505-8093.
What You Can Expect When We Handle Your Motorcycle Accident Case
We will provide thorough, first-class representation throughout your case and do the following, among other things:
- Painstakingly investigate the details of your crash to determine why it happened and who is liable for your damages.
- Work closely with motorcycle accident experts and specialists to ensure we understand the more nuanced and technical aspects of your case.
- Obtain and analyze medical records, accident reports, vehicle maintenance records, video footage, property damage, and other evidence.
- Help you obtain and determine how to pay for medical care.
- Represent you during all conversations with liable parties and their insurance carriers.
- File all claims and legal documents on your behalf.
- Provide guidance when it’s time to make important decisions about your case.
- Have highly skilled trial attorneys try your case if you don’t receive a fair settlement offer.
Our Featured Gainesville Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Attorney Ryan O’Connor has a proven track record of winning significant compensation for our clients. He has experience defending insurance companies, making him a more insightful, well-rounded motorcycle accident lawyer. Knowing the strategy of the other side allows him to anticipate their next move and build a case he knows they can’t beat.
The first time you talk to Ryan, you will quickly notice his genuine compassion and concern. This drives him to immediately start building a winning strategy and refuse to give up until he wins you the damages you deserve.
His caring, compassionate nature doesn’t end at the office. As a former Gator, Ryan has strong roots in the Gainesville community, and he perfectly exemplifies our law firm’s passion for community involvement and giving. We support worthy causes around the state and encourage our attorneys to do the same. Ryan coaches youth soccer, supports youth fitness, and invests in the Gainesville community.
We are attorneys who care. Contact our motorcycle accident lawyers in Gainesville today for a free case review.
free case review
What Types of Damages Can I Get After a Gainesville Motorcycle Accident?
You may be eligible for significant financial compensation after a motorcycle accident. Our Gainesville car accident lawyers can help you pursue compensation for your lost wages, medical expenses, and motorcycle damage. These are known as economic damages. We can also help you pursue damages for intangible losses, such as pain and suffering. These are known as non-economic damages.
Your damages may include compensation for losses you’ve experienced and those you anticipate.
For example, if your injuries are permanent, you may need a lifetime of medical care, occupational therapy, and assistive technology. We work with skilled medical and financial experts to determine your maximum recovery level and calculate your lifetime medical costs.
The same principle applies to lost wages. In addition to the days of work you’ve already missed, your damages can include the income you likely would have earned but for your accident.
When a Motorcycle Accident Is Fatal
If a family member has died from a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. You could recover economic and non-economic damages for your loved one’s pain and suffering and your family’s financial and emotional losses, including the following:
- Funeral and burial expenses.
- Your loved one’s medical expenses.
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering.
- The lifetime lost earnings of your loved one.
- Loss of companionship.
- Loss of parental guidance.
- Loss of support.
The personal representative of the deceased’s estate may file a wrongful death suit on behalf of the family. Our Florida wrongful death lawyers in Gainesville can determine who is best qualified to file the claim in your situation.
Punitive Damages
Although rare, punitive damages are available with clear and convincing evidence of intentional misconduct or gross negligence. You may be able to meet this standard if the at-fault driver was drunk or driving aggressively. Florida law limits punitive damages to $500,000 or three times the total of your economic and non-economic damages, whichever is greater.
How Much Compensation Can You Expect for a Motorcycle Accident?
The compensation you can recover for you or your loved one’s motorcycle accident injuries may range from a few thousand to millions of dollars, depending on the following factors and other individual details specific to your case:
- The severity of the injuries.
- Your earning capacity before and after the accident.
- The long-term emotional and financial impact of your injuries.
- Your medical expenses.
- The available insurance.
According to the Government Accountability Office, the average cost of a fatal motorcycle accident in 2010 was $1.2 million. That cost equates to $1,693,816 in 2023 dollars. The average cost of a motorcycle accident resulting in severe non-fatal injuries was $1.4 million, or nearly $2 million in 2023 dollars. These figures don’t include long-term costs or pain and suffering.
How Insurance Coverage Impacts Your Compensation
When facing a lifetime of medical care, lost wages, pain, and disability, compensation for future losses could add millions to your case value. However, the compensation you actually recover is typically limited to the insurance coverage and collectible assets of the liable parties.
If the only party responsible for your accident is a driver carrying the minimum required insurance, your compensation could be as low as $10,000. However, our resourceful motorcycle accident lawyers in Gainesville know how to find additional sources of compensation, which may come from the following:
- The insurance covering other liable parties.
- A direct lawsuit against the driver or other liable parties.
- Social Security Disability.
- Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
- Disability insurance policies.
We are passionate about ensuring our clients recover every penny they deserve, and we will leave no stone unturned in finding multiple avenues of compensation and helping you collect from them all.
Our Successful Motorcycle Accident Case Results
Below are a few examples of recent results we have achieved for our motorcycle accident clients:
- $5 million for the family of a rider killed when a driver ran a red light.
- $1 million for a motorcycle passenger injured when a truck struck the motorcycle.
- $760,000 for the family of a woman killed in a motorcycle crash caused by a careless dump truck driver.
- $400,000 for a rider who suffered a leg injury when struck by a car.
- $250,000 for a rider injured when a car pulled out in front of him.
We refuse to quit until you get the compensation you deserve. If you or your loved one has been harmed by a careless driver in a motorcycle accident in Gainesville, call us now at (352) 505-8093 for a free case review.
What Are the Time Limits to file a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
Once you’re injured or experience the wrongful death of a family member in a Gainesville motorcycle accident, you’ll have just two years to file a lawsuit seeking damages. While two years may seem like plenty of time, you shouldn’t wait to call one of our nationally recognized motorcycle accident lawyers in Gainesville.
Early involvement by an attorney ensures your case can be investigated while vital evidence is still available, such as camera footage, skid marks, and witnesses. We will also need time to retrieve and review your medical records, perform a thorough investigation, and build a strong case before the filing deadline.
You must file your claim before the statute of limitations expires to recover compensation. Once time runs out, you cannot pursue compensation for your losses.
Understanding Liability for Gainesville Motorcycle Wrecks
You must determine who is liable before recovering compensation for injuries sustained in a Gainesville motorcycle crash. Here’s what you need to know:
What Do I Have tTo Prove in a Motorcycle Accident Suit?
Most motorcycle accidents result from negligence. Negligence simply refers to one person’s failure to exercise reasonable care, a breach of duty, which causes another person’s injury or death.
Negligence might include speeding, texting while driving, or running a red light. If these behaviors cause an accident, the negligent party could be liable for the resulting damages.
To prove negligence and win your case, you must prove each of the following elements:
- Duty: The defendant—the person who caused your accident—owed you a duty of care.
- Breach of Duty: The defendant breached the duty of care through some unreasonable action or inaction.
- Causation: The accident and your injuries would not have happened but for the defendant’s conduct.
- Damages: You’ve suffered damages, such as a loss of income, emotional distress, or medical bills.
Negligence must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence. A jury or judge has to believe your argument is more likely true than not.
Who Could Be Liable for My Crash and Injuries?
Anyone who contributes to your motorcycle accident and the resulting trauma can be financially responsible for damages, including the following:
- The driver of a passenger car
- Another motorcyclist
- Bicyclist
- Pedestrian
- Bus driver
- Employer of a negligent party
- Vehicle manufacturer
- Manufacturer of defective safety equipment
- Property owner
- Government agency
- Transit companies
You can seek monetary damages from anyone who played a role in your motorcycle crash in Gainesville. Identifying all liable parties is one of the most important ways we will help you recover maximum compensation. Each liable party we identify adds to the available insurance coverage and collectible assets, increasing how much compensation you can recover.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Partly at Fault?
It depends. Florida applies a modified comparative negligence rule to personal injury cases. You can recover compensation if you are not more than 50 percent at fault for your motorcycle accident.
When you share some responsibility but are 50 percent or less responsible for the crash, your damages are subject to reduction.
For example, suppose you’re 15 percent at fault for a recent motorcycle crash in Gainesville. If your case is valued at $100,000, you can receive a maximum payout of $85,000.
The insurance company and negligent parties won’t hesitate to point fingers and shift blame. If they can limit their liability, they will. Our Gainesville motorcycle accident attorneys will fight back against claims of shared fault. We know every penny matters, so we’ll work hard to protect you and your ability to get the compensation you deserve.
What Should I Do If I’m Found at Fault for a Motorcycle Accident in Gainesville?
Whether law enforcement or the insurance company finds you at fault, you should call our experienced Gainesville motorcycle accident attorneys at (352) 900-8526 as soon as possible.
Even if law enforcement assigns more than 51 percent of the blame to you, we may still be able to help you recover compensation. Our motorcycle accident investigation will be more in-depth than the one performed by law enforcement, and we may be able to clear you of some or all of the fault assigned to you.
You have legal rights when you’ve been assigned fault for an accident. The police report and any statements you and the driver made to police who responded to the 9/11 call about your accident are privileged information that cannot be used against you in court. Even if you received a traffic ticket related to the accident, it cannot be used as evidence of fault if your claim goes to trial.
We will gather hard evidence from our forensic accident investigation, interview witnesses, download the black box data from the car that hit you, and gather as much evidence as it takes to clear you of fault and help you recover the highest compensation available.
What Are the Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Gainesville?
Motorcycle accidents remain a significant issue in road safety and traffic management, often resulting in severe injuries and fatalities. Despite advancements in motorcycle engineering, helmet design, and safety legislation, motorcycle riders continue to be overrepresented in traffic accident statistics. These accidents are often the result of various factors. Understanding and addressing the contributing factors listed below are crucial to improving motorcycle safety.
Drunk Drivers
Drunk driving is a serious problem in Alachua County. In 2022 alone, 332 people were arrested for DUI. Drunk drivers are more likely to speed, drive recklessly, and respond poorly to emergencies. In August of 2023, a drunk driver hit a motorcycle on Southeast Hawthorne Road and 45th Terrace in Gainesville. The rider died at the hospital.
Distracted Drivers
Texting while driving is illegal for most drivers in Florida. Some exceptions include those operating an emergency vehicle, and anyone reporting an emergency or criminal activity. Despite the known dangers of texting and driving, these laws are rarely enforced, and even when they are, texting and driving tickets result in insignificant fines.
Florida passed its hands-free law in 2019, yet Alachua County authorities only reported six tickets issued in 2020. Campus police at the University of Florida reported that they did not issue any citations.
Florida’s Ban on Texting While Driving Law does not prohibit talking on a cell phone while driving, unlike many other states that have banned all handheld cell phone use. This increases the risk of distracted driving on the roadways in the Sunshine State.
Texting and talking on a cell phone aren’t the only forms of distracted driving, however. Any activity that takes the driver’s attention off of driving qualifies. These activities include eating, playing with the radio, daydreaming, and talking to passengers.
Inattentional Blindness
Inattentional blindness is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents that involve another vehicle, and it is disturbing because it happens in clear weather conditions even if the driver isn’t distracted. Inattentional blindness is also known as “looked but failed to see.”
These types of accidents often happen when the driver appears to look right at the motorcycle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 42 percent of motorcycle accidents involving a second vehicle happen when a vehicle turns left in front of a motorcycle going straight.
This type of accident happens because of the way the brain works. While driving, a driver’s brain can disregard things it perceives as less important. To overcome this, drivers must consciously watch for smaller objects.
At least two motorcycle accidents in Gainesville fit this pattern in 2023. Both resulted in the riders’ deaths. They happened at the following intersections:
- Southwest 13th Street and Southwest 14th Drive.
- Northwest 39th Avenue at 97th Boulevard.
Dooring can also cause serious accidents. This happens when a car driver or passenger opens a door in front of a motorcycle.
Following motorcycles too closely is also a danger. Riders often slow down without applying their brakes, so no brake lights are visible. A driver following too closely or not paying attention can easily rear-end the motorcycle. While rear-end accidents may result in minor fender-benders for cars, they are often deadly for motorcycle riders.
Improper Maneuvers
Improper maneuvers by vehicle drivers that can put motorcycle riders at risk include improper lane changes, improper merges, and failure to yield. These maneuvers may happen when a driver fails to check blind spots or speeds through a stop sign or red light without noticing the motorcycle.
Speeding
Speeding is a significant problem near the university on West University Avenue. Multiple pedestrian deaths have occurred on this road, but speeding puts all roadway users in danger. Speeding makes it more difficult to control the vehicle, makes it take longer to stop, and increases the impact of a collision.
Unsafe Road Conditions
Potholes, loose gravel, and bumps in the road can often cause motorcyclists to lose control. The streets in and around Gainesville are the responsibility of the City of Gainesville, Alachua County, and the state or federal government.
Defective Vehicle Components
Defective motorcycle components can put riders in a bad position. Some common defects include bad brakes, defective batteries, fuel delivery defects, and electrical problems.
Motorcycle accidents can result from defective car parts. For example, a car with defective brakes could slam into a motorcycle and cause a deadly accident. When investigating your motorcycle accident, our hard-working Gainesville motorcycle accident attorneys will look for evidence of such defects and search for recalls. Contact us now for a free case evaluation.
What Are the Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
When a rider is involved in an accident, the risk of a catastrophic or fatal injury is higher than in accidents that only involve passenger vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle riders are 24 times more likely to die in an accident than passenger vehicle drivers and passengers.
Injuries may result when a rider is ejected from the motorcycle, slides on the pavement, becomes pinned between objects, or gets slammed against the fuel tank. Without the benefit of being inside an enclosed vehicle, injury is almost always unavoidable.
Road Rash and Burns
Road rash is friction burn and severe scraping that results from sliding along the pavement or getting dragged along the ground. These wounds can be deep enough to qualify as third-degree burns, resulting in damage to the nerves and other underlying tissues.
Road rash isn’t the only burn that can happen in a motorcycle accident. Burns can also occur if the fuel tank explodes, if the other vehicle erupts in flames, or if your leg becomes pinned under the exhaust pipe.
Our Florida burn injury lawyers in Knoxville have experience helping clients determine the long-term costs of motorcycle accident burn injuries and recover maximum compensation. Call us today at (352) 505-8093 for a free consultation.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Head injuries are the most common cause of fatalities in motorcycle accidents. Head-first accidents can be deadly or cause severe traumatic brain injury, even with a helmet. According to the NHTSA, helmets are 37 percent effective in preventing death in riders and 41 percent effective in sparing passengers.
Traumatic brain injury can lead to long-term disabilities, including memory problems, difficulty thinking and reasoning, personality changes, and trouble controlling movements. Contact our Florida traumatic brain injury attorneys in Gainesville today if you or your loved one has suffered a head injury in a motorcycle accident.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Approximately three to eight percent of motorcycle accident patients who sustained head injuries also suffered spinal cord injuries. These injuries typically occur in the upper third of the cervical spine, located in the neck and upper back.
Damage to the spine in this area can lead to permanent weakness, spasticity, pain, or paralysis. These injuries are devastating. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to recover significant compensation. Call our Florida spinal cord injury lawyers in Gainesville today at (352) 505-8093 for a free case review.
Broken Bones and Sprains
The potential for broken bones is high in a motorcycle collision, and it isn’t uncommon to suffer multiple fractures.
Broken hands, wrists, and arms are common in motorcycle accidents since riders instinctively extend their arms to protect their heads or vital organs from direct impact.
Contact with the fuel tank often causes pelvic fractures. In severe accidents, you could have multiple fractures and crushing injuries in the pelvis. These injuries can damage internal organs such as the bladder, intestines, and kidneys. These injuries can be fatal.
Lower Leg Injuries
Lower leg injuries are common in motorcycle accidents. They include broken bones, soft tissue damage, and severe burns. Such injuries may result from the following:
- A rider instinctively lowers one side of the bike to reduce the impact.
- The rider’s legs become caught under the motorcycle or between the bike and another object.
- The rider stretches out a leg to brace for impact.
- The rider is ejected from the motorcycle.
Amputations
Getting caught in the tire spokes during an accident can cause severe damage to the ankles and increase your risk of requiring amputation. Nerve damage and tissue death from having your leg pinned under the motorcycle or between the motorcycle and another object can also lead to amputation.
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Gainesville?
Lane splitting is riding beside cars in the same lane or between two adjacent lanes. This practice is illegal in all of Florida. If you’re lane splitting in Florida and get into an accident, it could affect your ability to recover compensation, as you may be considered contributorily negligent for the crash.
Lane splitting is not the same thing as lane sharing, which is legal. Lane sharing is when two motorcycles ride side-by-side in the same lane. However, this practice becomes illegal if more than two motorcycles ride side-by-side in the same lane.
Does Florida Have a Motorcycle Helmet Requirement?
Yes, depending on your age. Under the Florida law, riders under 21 must wear an approved motorcycle helmet. This applies to motorcycle operators and passengers.
Riders over 21 do not have to wear a helmet but must have proof of at least $10,000 in insurance for medical expenses if they choose not to wear a helmet.
Gainesville Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Motorcycles are smaller, two-wheeled vehicles often unseen by inattentive drivers. They’re also more sensitive to hazardous road conditions, such as loose gravel and potholes. Thus, riders face a higher accident risk than vehicle drivers. According to Ride Smart Florida, motorcycles drive one percent of all vehicle miles in Florida but account for two percent of traffic crashes.
Gainesville is hazardous for motorcycle riders because of its big-city-like traffic congestion, curvy roads, seemingly never-ending construction, and large numbers of college students and tourists who are unfamiliar with the roads. Our population has increased dramatically, but infrastructure hasn’t kept up. As a result, there is a high volume of traffic activity concentrated in too small of an area.
When you add careless driving to these circumstances, the situation becomes deadly. In 2023 alone, motorcycle riders died from accidents that occurred at the following Gainesville intersections:
- Northeast 31st Avenue and North Main Street
- Southwest 58th Drive and Archer Road
- West State Road 235 and County Road 237
- North Main Street and Northeast 31st Avenue
The exact causes of these accidents were not reported, but there are many forms of carelessness by other drivers that can cause motorcycle crashes.
Call Our Experienced Gainesville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for Help Today
Our Florida motorcycle accident lawyers have decades of experience taking on tough defendants and leveraging top results for clients like you. Put yourself in the best position to win by calling Farah & Farah at (352) 505-8093 for help today.
Now it’s your turn to benefit from our considerable insight and top-notch reputation. Contact our Gainesville law office to set up a free consultation now.
Why You’ll Want Farah & Farah Helping You After a Motorcycle Crash in Gainesville
Decades of Experience Handling All Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases
What You Can Expect When We Handle Your Motorcycle Accident Case
What Types of Damages Can I Get After a Gainesville Motorcycle Accident?
How Much Compensation Can You Expect for a Motorcycle Accident?
What Are the Time Limits to file a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
Understanding Liability for Gainesville Motorcycle Wrecks
What Are the Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Gainesville?
What Are the Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Gainesville?
Does Florida Have a Motorcycle Helmet Requirement?
Gainesville Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Call Our Experienced Gainesville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for Help Today
free case review
YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
