Table of Contents
Why You Should Call Catania & Catania for Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Bradenton, FL
The insurance company won’t be fighting for you after your accident. Catania & Catania will. By choosing our law firm, you’ll benefit from Bradenton personal injury attorneys with 120+ years of experience who have won $500 million in damages.
We give you the time you need to recover and handle every aspect of your case:
- Handle all communications and administrative tasks on your behalf
- Offer dependable legal advice and support
- Conduct a thorough investigation into your crash to gather evidence
- Work with several specialists to prove causation and the extent of your injury
- Build the best strong evidence-based case possible and pursue all avenues for compensation
- Accurately value all the damages you sustained and negotiate for a fair settlement
- Take your case before a jury if the insurance provider does not treat you fairly
At Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, we understand how traumatic this time is. Hire the best team of Bradenton motorcycle accident lawyers to work on your claims while you focus on your recovery. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay unless we win for you.
Bradenton, FL Motorcycle Accident Statistics [2022]
Bradenton is part of Manatee County, where the FLHSMV reported more than 6,350 crashes in 2022 alone. Of these, 150 were categorized as motorcycle accidents, with more than 10% of those incidents ending in a tragic fatality. There were also more than 1,600 hit-and-run crashes in the area and possibly even more accidents that went unreported.
At Catania & Catania, our motorcycle crash attorneys have extensive experience in navigating a broad range of cases throughout the region. We have worked tirelessly to protect the rights of accident victims, holding the appropriate individuals accountable and seeking fair compensation for our clients. Whether you were involved in a minor or severe motorcycle accident, Bradenton, FL, attorneys from Catania & Catania can help you achieve the best possible outcome in your legal case.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Bradenton, FL
Understanding the common causes of motorcycle accidents in the Bradenton area is crucial for prevention and also for establishing liability in the event of an accident. Every seasoned motorcycle crash lawyer at Catania & Catania has seen various factors leading to these accidents:
- Distracted Driving: This remains a leading cause of accidents, with many drivers failing to notice motorcyclists due to distractions like mobile phones or other in-car activities.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces the reaction time for both motorcyclists and other drivers, leading to severe accidents.
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drug impairment is a dangerous factor, significantly increasing the risk of accidents involving motorcycles.
- Lane Splitting: While it might be tempting for motorcyclists to navigate between lanes of slow-moving traffic, this practice can lead to accidents, especially if not executed safely.
- Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, uneven road surfaces, and debris can be particularly hazardous for motorcyclists.
- Left-Turn Accidents: These occur when a vehicle turns left in front of a motorcycle, often due to misjudging the motorcycle’s speed or not seeing it at all.
If you have been involved in a Bradenton motorcycle accident, it’s essential to consult with a motorcycle accident attorney who understands the specific challenges and risks associated with these cases. At our firm, we are committed to providing expert legal guidance and representation to motorcycle accident victims.
Our team of Bradenton motorcycle accident attorneys is dedicated to ensuring that your rights are protected and that you receive full compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact us for a consultation to discuss your motorcycle accident in Bradenton, FL, and let us help you on your journey to recovery.
We Handle All Types of Bradenton Motorcycle Accident Injury Cases
With little protection in a collision, motorcyclists face a high risk of serious injury or death. The NHTSA has found that people are 27x more likely to be fatally injured in a motorcycle crash than car occupants.
We represent motorcyclists in Bradenton, FL who have suffered:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputation
- Catastrophic injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue injuries, such as road rash
- All types of injuries and fractures
A Bradenton motorcycle accident can leave you with life-changing injuries and affect you for the rest of your life. Even wearing a helmet is also a good way to protect your head especially, since motorcycles don’t have the same safety features other vehicles have. We realize that you may face an unfair stigma over your injuries simply because you chose to ride a motorcycle. We will fight back against insurance adjusters and juries to seek the compensation you deserve.
We’re here to help, 24/7
Common Bradenton Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents can easily result in severe and often life-altering injuries. Each Bradenton motorcycle accident lawyer on our team has encountered various types of injuries stemming from these incidents.
Common injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Even with a helmet, motorcyclists can suffer significant head injuries, leading to long-term cognitive issues, memory loss, and in some cases, permanent brain damage.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Such injuries can range from herniated discs to paralysis, drastically altering one’s quality of life.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: The lack of external protection often results in multiple fractures, particularly in the arms, legs, and ribs.
- Road Rash: This injury is caused by sliding across the pavement, leading to severe skin abrasions, which can be prone to infection and require extensive treatment.
- Internal Injuries: These can include damage to internal organs and internal bleeding, often requiring immediate and extensive medical intervention.
The aftermath of sustaining such injuries in a motorcycle accident in Bradenton, FL, can be overwhelming, both physically and financially. This makes it incredibly important to seek experienced legal representation from a trusted motorcycle accident injury attorney who
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Crash in Florida?
There is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Florida. Missing this crucial deadline means your case will be dismissed, and you will not be able to recover any compensation. The statute of limitations for a fatal accident is also just two years.
Don’t delay your claims. The investigation and negotiation process can take many months. Delays can allow valuable evidence to be lost which may weaken your case. Reach out to our law office today at (941) 300-0716 and schedule some time to talk to an attorney in Bradenton, FL who will help you protect your claim.
How Much is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth in Bradenton?
All Bradenton motorcycle accident cases are valued based on many unique, individual variables. No formula or calculator can be used to estimate your case’s worth without adequate investigation.
The value of your motorcycle accident case will likely be based on:
- The amount of insurance coverage
- Whether you share the blame
- The strength of your negligent case
- How severe are the injuries
- The cause and circumstances of the collision
- How your injuries will impact your life and ability to work
After determining the value of your economic damages like medical bills and lost earnings, we will estimate the value of your non-economic losses like pain and suffering. These estimates will serve as a starting point for negotiations.
The best way to determine the value of your case is to schedule a free case evaluation with a Bradenton motorcycle accident lawyer.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I’m Partially at Fault for My Motorcycle Accident in Bradenton?
Florida follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Liability is assigned to each party based on their share of fault for injuries.
If your negligence contributed to your harm in any way, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. In practical terms, say you would have been entitled to $100,000, but a jury found that you were 25% responsible for getting hurt. Your award would be reduced by 25%—to $75,000—because you had a role in getting hurt.
You can count on the at-fault party’s insurer to argue that if you hadn’t been negligent in some way, you wouldn’t have been as severely injured. If you were speeding or riding recklessly, for example, you could have a difficult fight to recover the maximum amount of compensation.
What if I Wasn’t Wearing a Motorcycle Helmet?
Wearing a helmet is always a safe idea. With a few exceptions, it’s also the law in Florida.
Motorcycle Helmet Requirements in Florida
Under Florida law, in most cases, motorcycle riders and passengers are required to wear a helmet. Riders must also wear eye protection.
If you are at least 21 years old, you can ride without a helmet if you carry an insurance policy that provides at least $10,000 in medical benefits.
You may notice this sounds much like your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance that pays benefits if you’re in a Bradenton car accident. However, it’s important to understand that the PIP coverage on your automobile does not apply to motorcycles.
While it’s possible to face fines if you’re caught not wearing protective headgear, the more serious consequences occur if you’re involved in a motorcycle crash.
Even if you aren’t required to wear a helmet, it could cost you if you choose to go without one. Research shows that using headgear when you ride reduces your risk of death by a whopping 37%. It reduces your risk of a head injury by 69%.
Can I Still Get Compensation If I’m Not Wearing a Helmet in a Motorcycle Accident?
Probably. Not wearing a helmet won’t necessarily bar you from seeking financial compensation for your injuries in Bradenton.
You can still file a claim with your insurance company under the state’s no-fault insurance law. If someone else caused your accident and your injuries are severe, you can still file a lawsuit and seek damages from them.
However, keep in mind that Florida has a pure comparative negligence law. Your negligence – not wearing a motorcycle helmet – could hurt your ability to recover the full value of your injury case.
You can bet that even if the other party was 100% responsible for the accident itself, their insurance company will argue that if you had been using a helmet at the time, you wouldn’t have been as severely injured.
If you fail to take reasonable precautions, such as wearing protective gear known to prevent harm, you could face significant obstacles to receiving the full amount of compensation available.
What Damages Are Available to Bradenton Motorcycle Accident Victims?
When your injury claim is successful, you are entitled to compensation for your economic and non-economic losses after the accident.
You can obtain compensation for the following types of damages:
- Medical bills related to the crash, including current and future medical costs
- Lost wages for time off work
- Diminished earning capacity if incapacitated, disabled, or impaired
- Property damage from your motorcycle wreck
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Reduced quality of life
- Disfigurement or scarring
You may be entitled to punitive damages as well. A jury awards punitive damages to punish the defendant if they caused your crash through gross negligence or wanton indifference to human life.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Motorcycle Accident?
Proving someone was negligent requires showing:
- The other party owed you a duty of care.
- The defendant breached this duty of care.
- This breach led to your accident.
- You suffered damages.
Your Bradenton motorcycle accident attorneys will use many forms of evidence to prove negligence. The police report may indicate the officer’s opinion on the cause. Witness statements, dashcam footage, photos of the scene, and the other driver’s cell phone records may all support your case.
What Should I Do After Being Involved in a Motorcycle Crash in Bradenton, FL?
After a motorcycle accident in Bradenton, a few things can help ensure that you are as safe as possible and that you have the best chance of preserving your right to the maximum compensation available.
Try to remain calm and try to remember these seven steps that will help you the most:
- Call 911 and stay at the scene. Never leave the scene of an accident. The police in Bradenton can complete an accident report, which will be helpful to your attorney should you decide to file a lawsuit. Emergency services will take care of medical needs and get you and anyone else who needs it to a hospital.
- Document the scene. It may be tough, but if at all possible, snap some photos or videos of the accident scene. Take pictures of your wounds, your bike, other vehicles, the intersection, etc. Anything is helpful.
- Get contact and insurance information from other parties involved. If possible, try to get at least the names and insurance companies of the people involved.
- Resist the urge to apologize. In a traumatic event, sometimes people just say they’re sorry for the situation and don’t intend to admit fault. But that’s exactly how it will be interpreted. Accident scenes are chaotic and, likely, you don’t know what happened. So you don’t want to go on record with something that could compromise your case and that may not even be accurate.
- Seek medical attention. If you weren’t taken to the hospital from the scene, get to a doctor as soon as possible. Not all wounds are immediately visible. You may be in shock and not realize the extent of your injuries. A documented medical exam will be important to prove your injuries in a personal injury claim.
- Don’t talk to insurance adjusters alone. They are not trying to help you out. Their goal is to minimize their payout. They may try to take advantage of your vulnerable state right after a collision and make a subpar offer before you have a chance to talk to a lawyer.
Call (941) 300-0716 to talk to an experienced local Bradenton motorcycle accident lawyer. A reputable attorney can help you understand all of your legal options and can protect you from unfair blame that could severely limit your chances of getting the maximum compensation available to you.
Motorcycle Accident FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions from motorcycle crash victims in Manatee County.
How Much Does A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Cost in Bradenton?
Nothing upfront. Most Bradenton motorcycle accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis instead of an hourly rate. That means that they’ll collect their fee after the lawsuit only if they win your case. So, you don’t have to shell out any money upfront, when bills are piling up and money is tight.
A contingency fee is typically anywhere from 33% to 40% of your award. Each attorney will have their own fee agreement, so make sure you understand it before you sign it.
Do I Need A Lawyer If I Wasn’t at Fault for My Motorcycle Accident in Bradenton?
It’s always a good idea to hire a lawyer if you’ve been in a motorcycle accident. If you weren’t at fault, the insurance agency is going to blame you anyway.
It’s just how they operate. They deal with billions of dollars worth of claims paid every year. They are private companies trying to maximize their profits, so they’ll look for every reason not to pay you what you’re due.
A lawyer in Bradenton, FL who is well-trained in personal injury law will know the ins and outs of working with stubborn adjusters. If you’re not represented by legal counsel, unfortunately, insurers often try to bully you into taking a lowball offer.
How Long Will My Motorcycle Accident Case Take To Settle?
Very likely, months to years. Each case is different. Even relatively straightforward cases can take several months.
Some factors that can affect how quickly a case proceeds can include:
- The parties’ opinions of how much the case is worth
- Whether there were multiple parties involved
- The extent of the disputes over facts or law
Sometimes injured victims need money as soon as possible and may prefer an early settlement. Or, sometimes insurance adjusters settle quickly because they know their covered party was responsible and they don’t want to face a jury when the facts are stacked against them.
If both parties are dug in and there are complex issues requiring expert testimony and extensive investigation, the case could go on for several years.
Contact a Bradenton Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
After a serious motorcycle collision, you should not have to fight the at-fault driver or their insurance company for fair compensation. Don’t accept a settlement offer from the insurance company without speaking with an injury lawyer first.
Call Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers at (941) 300-0716 today to schedule the time for a free evaluation with a team of experienced Bradenton motorcycle accident lawyers ready to help you.
Additional Motorcycle Accident Resources & Information
- Do I Need Motorcycle Insurance in Florida?
- Do You Have To Wear A Motorcycle Helmet in Florida?
- Is A Motorcycle Really Worth The Cost?
- I’ve Been Hurt In A Motorcycle Accident – Do I Need A Lawyer?
- 7 Common Motorcycle Crashes And How To Avoid Them
Motorcycle Accident Review
