West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer

Florida’s open roads appeal to many motorcycle riders, drawing them in with natural beauty, year-round sunshine, and of course, bike weeks and other motorcycle events.

You have a right to enjoy a safe ride on Florida roads, but unfortunately, hundreds of motorcyclists are injured each year due to negligent drivers and improperly maintained roadways.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, we can help. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in West Palm Beach, FL represent riders who suffered injury or lost a loved one due to careless drivers. We offer free consultations and will handle your case on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win.

Discover your legal options today.

Do I need an attorney for my motorcycle accident?

Injured bikers often feel that they can handle a lawsuit on their own, especially if the accident involved only one or two other drivers.

However, many insurance companies and police officers, as well as the general public are biased against motorcyclists. Insurance companies often unfairly deny motorcyclists’ claims, so if you were hurt in an accident, it’s in your best interest to hire an attorney who will fight for you, not the insurance company.

Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath has won countless personal injury claims for motorcycle riders just like yourself. Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience, so you can rest assured that you’re getting the best attorneys for your case.

No matter if you’ve suffered an injury due to another rider’s negligence or fell victim to a pothole on the road, we have your back. Contact us at (561) 655-1990 for your free consultation.

When to consider hiring a West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer

Not every accident requires the help of an attorney. Sometimes, insurance companies offer fair settlements without legal intervention, but not always.

If any of the following statements are true in your case, you should seriously consider hiring a West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer:

You need legal advice before signing any documents
Mediation fails and the insurance company refuses to pay fair compensation
The insurance company is trying to shift the blame onto you
The police report falsely states that you are to blame for the accident
The other party doesn’t have insurance
You have severe injuries that require expensive medical treatments
The insurance adjuster is not returning calls

Everyone should have an attorney on their side to ensure that their rights are protected. Clients have the best experience when they hire an attorney immediately after seeking medical attention for their injuries and before speaking with any insurance adjusters.

Steps to take after a motorcycle accident

1. Seek medical attention

First and foremost, Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath encourage any rider who has been in an accident to seek medical attention.

If you believe that your injuries may be severe and cause long-term damage or disability, don’t hesitate to get emergency service – even if the accident happened hours ago and you have left the scene.

If you aren’t seriously injured, call the police at the scene of the accident first. The responding officer will do a rudimentary assessment of your injuries to help you determine if an ambulance is needed.

2. Gathering information and evidence at the scene

Next, write down the name of any witnesses, get their contact information, and ask them to stick around until help arrives. This is also a good time to snap pictures with your phone. You should also photograph everything that could possibly help your case. This includes the weather and road conditions and all damage to vehicles.

3. Contact a West Palm Beach motorcycle lawyer

After you have been checked out by a doctor, you should call a motorcycle accident lawyer in West Palm Beach, FL. They can help you determine what to say to your insurance company to ensure that your claim is approved as quickly as possible so you aren’t paying for damages out-of-pocket.

How a West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer can help

Our lawyers are here to ensure that your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve.

We’ll fight for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering damages, or any other financial reward you may be entitled to receive. Our experienced, determined attorneys have successfully represented hundreds of motorcycle accident victims in West Palm Beach and throughout Florida.

Elements of a motorcycle accident lawsuit

When you choose Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath to represent your case, our legal team will handle everything for you. You’ll never be left in the dark or have to spend countless hours working on your own claim.

After a thorough investigation is conducted, your motorcycle accident lawyer will negotiate with any insurance companies involved to determine who was at fault for your accident. When an agreement has been reached on liability and damages, the case will settle.

If our attorneys are unable to reach an acceptable settlement on your behalf the case will proceed to trial. While this can be a lengthy process, it often results in a higher settlement.

It’s important to remember that we only get paid if we win your case. Our attorneys will never ask you to pay out of pocket for any costs or fees associated with your lawsuit.

What damages can I claim in a motorcycle accident lawsuit?

Economic

Economic damages are those that can be specifically calculated and assigned a monetary value. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and any other out-of-pocket costs associated with the accident.

Non-economic

Non-economic damages are much harder to quantify. This includes compensation for your pain and suffering, loss of consortium, or any other personal injury that can’t be measured in dollars.

Punitive

Punitive damages are not the goal of every lawsuit, but they may become part of your claim if someone acted extremely negligently or recklessly. These damages are awarded at the discretion of the judge for your trial.

Common motorcycle accident injuries

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

A traumatic brain injury can cause a wide range of problems in a motorcycle accident victim. Some of the most common symptoms include:

Loss of consciousness
Convulsions or seizures
Paralysis
Memory loss or confusion
Problems with balance
Deafness or blindness
Headaches

A mild form of traumatic brain injury is a concussion. This usually results in a brief loss of consciousness and some memory loss. Treatment largely depends on the severity of the damage.

A moderate to severe traumatic brain injury often has more long-term effects and requires extensive treatment. This could result in paralysis or coma, which can lead to permanent disabilities.

Road rash

Road rash, or road burn, is a common injury in motorcycle accidents. It often results when the bike is thrown to the ground and skids along the pavement.

Asphalt particles can work their way under your skin and cause infection. This type of road rash is very painful and also carries an increased risk of tetanus.

Treatments for road rash include:

Physical therapy
Medication
Surgery

Surgery may be required in extreme cases when the infection becomes chronic (this requires wound debridement).

Broken bones

Broken bones in a motorcycle accident are not uncommon. They can occur when the rider impacts another vehicle or object or falls off their bike due to loss of control.

Bones may break when they impact the ground or an object (such as a car bumper).

A broken bone can also occur due to bending or twisting forces, which is known as a closed fracture. This type of injury requires more immediate attention because of the risk of shock and internal bleeding.

Broken bones are usually treated with splints or casts to immobilize the area. Surgery may be required in some cases to reset the bones.

Internal damage

Internal damage is not always visible after a motorcycle accident. This type of injury can be life-threatening, because internal bleeding may go undetected for hours or days before causing severe problems.

Internal bleeding can occur anywhere inside the body, but it’s most common in the chest or abdomen.

Treatment for internal injuries depends on the severity of the injury. Minor damage may need to be monitored closely over time. Severe cases often require surgery to stop the bleeding before organ failure occurs.

Contusions

Common injuries that can occur in a motorcycle accident are contusions or bruising. This type of injury is common because the direct impact can injure tissues throughout your body.

Major damage to internal organs is rare with road rash, but bruises are very likely. The extent of these injuries depends on how fast you were going at impact and the damage to your motorcycle.

Soft tissue damage

Soft tissues are an important part of your body because they connect, support, and surround other parts. These include tendons, ligaments, cartilage, fat tissue, blood vessels, and muscle tissue. When you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, soft tissues can be damaged or separated from each other. This can cause a lot of pain and discomfort.

Injuries to the tendons and ligaments are very common in motorcycle accidents, especially when you lose control of your bike. In some cases, this can be treated with surgery or physical therapy.

Neck and back injuries

The neck and back are connected to your spine, which can become damaged in a motorcycle accident.

A broken neck is a very dangerous injury that usually leads to paralysis or death. Neck injuries of this severity do not heal on their own. If you suffer this type of injury in a motorcycle accident then you will require immediate medical attention.

In many cases, a broken neck can be treated with a proper brace. The back is another common area of injury in motorcycle accidents. The force from the impact can cause damage to the bones, muscles, and ligaments throughout this area.

Injuries to the spine are very serious because they can cause paralysis or severe pain for years after the initial accident. Injuries to the spine are usually treated with medication and physical therapy. In cases where the damage is severe, surgery may be needed.

Our Recent Settlements

$35,000,000

A Broward County jury awarded Denise and David Brown $35 million in a case against North Broward Hospital District, doing business at Broward General Hospital.

$11,250,000

Matt Haynes immediately filed suit and noticed the case for trial. Even with all the challenges of Covid closures, the Team kept the pressure on, and resolved the case in less than 10 months for more than the company’s policy limits.

$11,000,000

Our 23-year-old client was driving to his aunt’s home on I-95 when the left rear tire on his SUV sustained a tread separation causing him to lose control.

What our clients say about us…

It was a real pleasure to work with this firm. Very detailed and always communicated with me

The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. This law firm kept me up to date on the status of my case.

Caring and compassionate and really kept me informed on the progress of my case.

This firm is well organized and very professional. The staff is caring and easy to talk to. They made me feel special.

I received excellent representation and could not be happier with my law firm.

They were very much on it and helped with every aspect of my case. Always available 24/7 when ever I needed them. Could not have asked for better service.

The folks at Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath are highly professional and have true compassion for their clients. If you need a lawyer that will truly work hard for your best interest, this firm is the BEST choice in South Florida!

The staff was responsive to all my inquiries in a very timely manner. My case was handled by experienced professionals and I was always comfortable with the progress. I can unequivocally recommend this law firm.

Thank you for your help! Kimberly was efficient and thorough and was able to answer the many questions I had.

Great service, really pleasant to work with everyone in the company. Very good communication same day call returns and email responses in minutes. Efficient staff and friendly attorneys. My experience was great and every step of the process was explained in detail.

Rear-end motorcycle accident

A rear-end motorcycle accident occurs when another vehicle hits the rear end of your motorcycle. This is one of the most common types of motorcycle accidents, which usually leads to serious injuries.

There are several reasons why this type of accident happens. The most common reason is that the other driver was not paying attention to the road while tailgating. When you brake, they fail to notice and hit the rear of your vehicle.

Unlike a car, which has a bumper, a motorcycle doesn’t have any rear protection. This can easily lead to severe damage that could cause other parts of your bike to fail.

Poor road conditions

Another common cause of motorcycle accidents is poor road conditions. This includes potholes or debris in the road, poor weather conditions, or lack of street lighting.

When you’re driving your motorcycle on a clear day, it’s easier to identify hazardous road conditions ahead. But if visibility is low because of rain or fog, you can’t see obstacles until they’re too close to avoid.

Poor road conditions like potholes, debris, and poor weather can all lead to serious injuries in motorcycle accidents, even for the most advanced rider.

Blind spots

A blind-spot motorcycle accident occurs when you’re driving on the highway, and another vehicle cuts you off. Suddenly, you enter their blind spot without realizing it.

This can lead to them side-swiping your vehicle. In a car, this may not have a serious effect. But on a motorcycle, this impact can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

This type of accident is especially prevalent on highways, where large vehicles forget to pay attention to their blind spots after long stretches of driving. At these high speeds, a blind spot accident can be fatal for a motorcyclist.

Cutting off

A cutting-off motorcycle accident occurs when another vehicle tries to cut you off. This usually leads to the other driver side-swiping your bike while passing by.

This type of accident is commonly caused by distracted driving or drunk drivers who are trying to switch lanes while failing to notice you.

If you’re hurt in a cutting-off motorcycle accident, you can suffer severe injuries because of the speed and force of impact.

Distracted driving

Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents and injuries. This type of accident occurs any time a driver is not giving their full attention to the road.

Motorcyclists have to be vigilant constantly while driving, while car drivers are more likely to relax and let their guard down. However, when they do, they put the safety of others at risk. It only takes a moment for them to change their radio station and not pay attention to the road for them to cause a serious collision with a motorcyclist.

Driving under the influence

Drunk driving is one of the most dangerous behaviors that can happen on the road. A car accident can be fatal for a motorcyclist, especially if the at-fault driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Drivers who are under the influence can cause serious injuries because their reaction time is slowed. They can more easily lose control of their vehicle, which can lead to them crashing into you.

Our West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyers are ready to help

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident, our motorcycle accident lawyers in West Palm Beach, FL may be able to help.

We are dedicated to helping victims of serious accidents get the compensation they deserve for pain and suffering. We’ve helped countless clients and their families get through this difficult time, and we want to help you, too.

Our firm has the resources and knowledge necessary to build a case that will hold at-fault parties accountable for their actions. Contact Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath today to get started.

Motorcycle accident FAQs

How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit?

Each state has its own statute of limitations (time limit) for filing an injury claim. These time limits vary based on the type of case, where you were injured, and other factors.

In Florida, vehicular accidents have a statute of limitation of two years from the date of the accident. This means you have two years to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

How much does a motorcycle accident lawyer cost?

There is no set fee for representing clients in a motorcycle accident lawsuit. However, the Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath contingency fee structure ensures that we only receive a payment if we win your lawsuit and recover compensation for you.

This means that there is no risk in hiring us to represent you. We only get paid if you’re compensated for your injuries. We never ask for payment out of pocket.

What if I was partially to blame for my motorcycle accident?

It’s possible you were partially to blame for your accident if you weren’t wearing a helmet, weren’t paying attention to the road, didn’t have the right insurance, or didn’t follow traffic laws. This may affect how much compensation you can get in your lawsuit.

Florida is a comparative negligence state. This means that you can still collect compensation even if you were partially to blame for your accident. Your compensation will be reduced depending on how much fault is attributed to you compared to the other parties involved in the collision.

What if a loved one died from a motorcycle accident?

If someone you love died in a motorcycle accident, Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath may be able to help. We can file a wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf so you can recover damages for emotional pain and suffering.