Clearwater Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Dramatization, not an actual client
Hire Board Certified Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Jim Magazine to Make the Most of Your Injury Claim
If you were injured or your loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident in Clearwater or one of the surrounding communities, motorcycle accident lawyer Jim Magazine will help you file a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault motorist that caused your crash. Jim will identify all routes to recovery to ensure that you get the money you need to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. He has earned a stellar reputation as a trial attorney for victims in Florida, and he can help you make the most of your injury claim.
Contact motorcycle accident lawyer Jim Magazine, and let us maximize your recovery. Call for a free consultation.
Call: 727-499-9900 Or
Practice Areas
If you were injured, contact Florida personal injury lawyer Jim Magazine at The Magazine & Light Law Group.
Call 727-499-9900 to schedule your FREE consultation.
Table of Contents
Recovering Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident In Florida
Because motorcyclists aren’t protected by the body of an enclosed passenger vehicle, they often sustain severe injuries when they are in an accident. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputation, and disfigurement often require a lifetime of medical treatment. Before you know it, the cost to cope with a permanent disability, or even to simply survive, can easily escalate to hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars. Motorcyclists in Florida are not required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. You must find other ways to obtain financial relief to help pay for your losses. That’s where motorcycle accident lawyer Jim Magazine comes in. When you hire Jim to handle your case, he will identify all paths to recovery. These might include, but are not limited to:
Filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage:
Motorists in Florida are not required to carry bodily injury insurance to cover injuries they cause to other people. If the driver who caused your crash has such coverage, however, we can help you file a claim to recover compensation for your medical bills up to the policy limit. Unfortunately, since the insurance isn’t required, many car owners don’t carry it. Those who do usually won’t have enough coverage to pay for all of your losses. We can help you combine other sources of relief, however.
Filing a claim against your medical payments (Med Pay)coverage:
Florida law requires motorcyclists who do not wear helmets to carry at least $10,000 in medical payments insurance. Otherwise, the coverage is optional. If you have Med Pay, it can offset your out-of-pocket costs after an accident. Although this type of coverage won’t help reimburse you for lost wages, motorcycle accident lawyer Jim Magazine will help you file a claim against your Med Pay policy to recover money to pay for your medical bills that aren’t otherwise covered by your health insurance. If you had a passenger who was also injured, the insurance can help cover his or her medical bills as well.
Filing a claim against your uninsured/underinsured motorist policy:
If the at-fault driver doesn’t carry bodily injury liability insurance, or the coverage is inadequate, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may be another option we can help you pursue. This insurance is liable for paying your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and more. If your loved one died in the motorcycle accident, the insurance will pay for the wrongful death damages caused by the at-fault driver who was uninsured or underinsured.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Florida
After a motorcycle accident, you are probably going to be shaken, confused, and in pain. It’s important to remain calm, however, and consider your next steps carefully. What you do in the moments and days after a crash can play a significant role in your wellbeing and your ability to recover compensation. After a motorcycle accident, you should:
Call 9-1-1:
Getting the police and paramedics on the way immediately after a motorcycle accident can ensure you and other people who were injured receive emergency medical attention if necessary. Additionally, the police will create an extensive accident report that can be referenced in court if you decide to file an injury lawsuit.
Collect Evidence:
If you are able, gather as much information as you can about the other people and vehicles that were involved in your crash. Use your cellphone to take pictures or videos of the accident scene, and be sure to capture photos of the vehicles and anything at the scene that may have bearing on the outcome of your case.
Follow Up with a Medical Professional:
Have a medical professional check you over as soon as possible after your accident. This is important even if you don’t think you are seriously injured at first. With some internal injuries, it can take hours or even days for symptoms to appear.
Call Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Jim Magazine:
It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to contact victims in the hours or days after a crash, before they have a chance to realize the extent of their losses. Before speaking with the insurance company, call injury lawyer Jim Magazine to ensure your rights are protected.
What Statues of Limitations Apply to Motorcycle Accident Cases in Florida?
The statute of limitations plays a significant role in your ability to recover compensation after a motorcycle accident. If you wait too long to bring a lawsuit, your case will likely be dismissed. In Florida, three different statutes of limitations may apply to your motorcycle accident case.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
In Florida, you have just four years to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver, the owner of the vehicle the other party was driving, or any other third party, like the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Suing Your Uninsured Motorist Carrier
You generally have five years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit against your own uninsured/underinsured motorist carrier.
Suing for Wrongful Death
If your family member was killed in a motorcycle accident, Florida law allows you just two years from the date your loved one died to take legal action.
FAQs About Florida Motorcycle Accident Cases
Can I still recover damages if I wasn’t wearing a motorcycle helmet?
If you are pursuing compensation for injuries to body parts other than your head, your lack of a helmet won’t likely matter. If you are pursuing compensation for head injuries, however, the jury might find that you were partially responsible for your injuries. If that’s the case, your award can be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Does PIP insurance cover motorcycle accident injuries?
Motorcyclists in Florida are not covered by personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. However, Medical payments (Med Pay) coverage is available to bikers as a replacement.
How much does it cost to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer in Florida?
Most motorcycle accident lawyers in Florida accept personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. Your attorney will investigate your case, negotiate with the insurance companies, and fight for you in court without charging up-front fees. If your case is successful, your injury award will be reduced by your case costs and your lawyer’s fees. If your case is not successful, you don’t pay.