While motorcycle riding is a favorite pastime of many Americans, over the past five years statistics have increased the number of motorcycle accidents occurring in the USA each year.

Some states are trying to counteract this tragic progression by passing helmet laws, however not wearing a helmet only protects you in the accident and doesn’t prevent it from occurring to begin with. Instead, the negligence of drivers and riders is to blame for a huge portion of motorcycle accidents.

Still, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claims that injuries and deaths involving helmets is and remains noticeably lower than those involving no helmet at all. According to findings, fatal injury prevention is 37% effective, and so the administration encourages that all motorcyclists where their safety gear, especially helmets, at all times.

Motor accident lawyers specialize in helping both injured motorcyclists and automobile motorists garner well-deserved compensation. This involves the gathering of evidence, documentation, photographs, testimony and the lawyer’s own field investigation of the accident scene and the damaged vehicles. As it suggests, the injured party should assist the lawyer in evidence by providing as much additional information as possible.

This includes: photographs, medical records verifying any and all injuries, the insurance information gathered, driving histories of all drivers active in the collision and police records. Therefore, filing and winning a Liability Claim is a mutual effort on the part of the motorcycle accident lawyer and that lawyer’s client with the ultimate responsibility of the case evidence collection falling on both of these parties.

Due to the fact that investigations are conducted and evidence is gathered, motorcycle accident cases derive from fault and are awarded in accordance with that. For this reason it is very important for motorcyclists to be both observant and careful so far as details are concerned.

If said motorcyclist slips on either responsibility, loss is certain to occur (either injury/death or the loss of compensation), so this dual role is necessary to being at fault for any wrongdoing. Considering how dangerous motorcycles are, this will be significant.

Due to the fact some states do have a statute of limitations on filing a claim involving a motorcycle accident, it’s important for those in an accident to immediately seek out knowledge from an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. The sooner a claim is filed and a case is developed, the sooner the compensation can be awarded and collected.

If you don’t take action right away, you may miss your chance to file a claim altogether and be faced with extremely expensive medical bills and a very lengthy recovery period of time. Instead of worrying about money, you may be focused on the healing process when you’re working with an accident lawyer who’s experienced in cases like yours.

Fort Myers Motorcycle Accident | Fort Myers Accident | Fort Myers Accident Attorney | Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Fort Myers motorcycle accident, or any local accident, too often results in physical injury, financial hardship, insecurity, and challenges, for the motorcycle accident victim. Sadly, Fort Myers motorcycle accident results in permanent injury, or even wrongful death.

Every year, thousands of motorcyclists are injured and many killed in motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle riders are simply not protected — even if wearing helmets or other protective gear and equipment — from the force or cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Locally, we often hear of or read story – seemingly every week — about a tragic Fort Myers motorcycle accident.

A Fort Myers motorcycle accident is very costly.  Not only is the bike often destroyed resulting in significant property damage loss, but the motorcycle accident literally shreds its rider.  The fact is expensive medical bills, hospital bills, doctor bills, therapy bills, rehabilitation costs, and lost income are all huge financial losses for the victim and family.
Some Fort Myers motorcycle accident injuries encountered by our experienced Fort Myers accident attorney have included:
•    permanent injury
•    amputation
•    neck injury
•    back injury
•    herniated disk
•    paralysis
•    brain injury
•    traumatic brain injury
•    spinal cord injury
•    bone fracture
•    scarring
•    disfigurement
•
These serious fort Myers motorcycle accident injuries often require surgery, pain management, injections, pain medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation or job training to accommodate the injury victim’s new limitations.

Of course, these serious Fort Myers motorcycle accident injuries often restrict the injured motorcyclist’s activities of daily living, imposing new restrictions on daily life and changing the injured person’s future course in life.  This inevitably affects the Fort Myers motorcycle accident victim’s family and relationship with the family.

Fort Myers Accident Attorney | Fort Myers Injury Attorney | Injury Lawyer

Who absorbs these high costs of physical injury, pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost income as the result of a Fort Myers motorcycle accident? The negligent driver’s insurance company must accept its responsibility to pay for the damages caused by the Fort Myers motorcycle accident, including financial losses and consequential losses of pain, suffering, and the limitations or restrictions on the innocent motorcyclist’s daily life.
Far too often, Fort Myers motorcycle accident victims find themselves not only fighting for their lives, for their way of life, and for their family’s survival, but at the same time must fight with insurance companies for claims that turn out too little or too inadequate to even tide them over the days they were incapable of working.
Contact us. Our service includes prompt investigation, efficient service, and pushing your claim or case quickly to achieve results.  Injured in a Fort Myers  accident?  Contact us today.  You will speak to an experienced injury lawyer, not a phone bank, answering service, call center, or outsourced phone operator, or “referral service.”  We also do not leave you to explain your personal injury claim and most intimate life details to a receptionist which some firms nowadays call an “intake specialist.”

Throughout Southwest Florida, including Cape Coral, Venice, Lehigh Acres, Port Charlotte, Ft Myers, Naples, and beyond, there has been at least one fatal motorcycle crash every week in this early 2011 (and several critical motorcycle wrecks occurring in just the few months leading up to 2011).

Some of these crashes were single-bike crashes, while others involved other motorists.  Motorists must share the road with motorcyclists.  There is simply too much to lose when careless drivers — often distracted within their vehicles — cause a motorcycle crash.

The losses are devastating to the surviving families of the victims. They must pick up the pieces of the lives, knowing they will no longer be able to share their dreams of a future with their loved one who was suddenly, and tragically, taken from them.

While a motorcycle crash attorney may help pursue a wrongful death claim on behalf of surviving family members, such a claim on its best day can only help in financial terms, as well as help the family understand what exactly happened and why.  Financial security and stability of the family, in the wake of such a devastating loss of a loved one, is simply one measure of relief.  Comforting the grief is really something only faith and love from the surviving family members and friends can provide.

At the Harris Law Firm PA, we understand the limits of what the law can and does provide.  We’re here for the victims of such challenging times, and work hard to hold the negligent parties accountable for the losses they have caused.  We pursue negligent motorists who cause fatal motorcycle crashes because we understand the depth of that loss.

As a personal injury attorney experienced in representing motorcycle injury victims, I may be able to help the family secure financial assistance and security through a wrongful death lawsuit or claim.  As a friend, I can and will be that person you can talk to when perhaps other family members and friends are not enough.  We care about each of our clients, which is why we work so hard for them.

If a loved one has been the victim of a fatal motorcycle crash, or injured in a serious motorcycle wreck, in Ft Myers, Cape Coral, Venice, Lehigh Acres, Port Charlotte, Naples, or elsewhere in Southwest Florida, then contact us for a prompt discussion about what has happened in your life.  We’re here to help.  God Bless.

A motorcycle crash is the source of so many hardships throughout Southwest Florida, including Cape Coral, Naples, Ft Myers, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres. When motorists don’t share the road, or simply don’t pay attention to others riding motorcycles around them, tragedies occur.

Among the injuries:

• neck injury
• back injury
• herniated disc
• paralysis
• spinal cord injury
• broken bones
• burns
• internal bleeding
• scarring
• disfigurement
• road rash

The toll in human suffering is enormous for every single victim, and every single family. We have to look out for each other out there. Preventing motorcycle crashes is key, and it’s simple.

For example, give yourself another 5 minutes for your commute so you don’t feel rushed.  Put down that cell phone, and even if you’re using a hands-free cell phone, keep aware and alert of all that is going on around you on the road.  Pay attention.  Sounds simple, but fewer people are doing this than you realize. Stay aware that motorcyclists may be on either side of you and you just can’t see them in your side view mirrors — so take the split second to make sure your sides are clear before changing lanes.

Even a minor bump or sideswipe of a motorcyclist from a car is likely going to end in a catastrophic motorcycle crash.

Motorcycle Injury Attorney Provides Legal Help After the Crash

If you have been injured in a bike wreck caused by a negligent motorist, then contact an experienced motorcycle crash attorney today at the Harris Law Firm. We act promptly, fight the negligent driver’s insurance company, and actively move your case forward with the goal of securing compensation to help you.

Contact us for a confidential assessment. We proudly serve the injured throughout Southwest Florida and beyond.  Locally, we help our neighbors in:

• Charlotte County:  Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda
• Collier County: Everglades City, Golden Gate, Immokalee, Marco Island, Naples, Ochopee
• DeSoto County: Arcadia
• Glades County: Moore Haven, Palmdale
• Hendry County: Clewiston, Labelle
• Highlands County: Avon Park, Lake Placid, Sebring
• Lee County: Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers
• Manatee County: Bradenton, Ellenton, Palmetto
• Sarasota County Florida: Nokomis, North Port, Osprey, Sarasota, Venice

A motorcycle accident often results in life-aletring effects for its victims. As a larger Southwest Florida community, we have witnessed our share of serious and fatal motorcycle accidents throughout the region over the last year. Carelessness, motorists failing to share the road, and distracted drivers, have become a menace on our roads.  Bikers are among the most vulnerable vehicles are they are exposed to everything.

Insurance Companies Are Hurting More Than They’re Helping

A Florida motorcycle accident exacts a toll on the victim and family. From expensive property damage repairs, to even more costly medical bills, hospital bills, therapy bills, lost income, lost productivity — all represent significant financial losses for the victim and family. Far too often — it has become the norm instead of the exception — the at fault driver’s insurance company delays fair compensation and settlement of the claim.  We have seen unrepresented motorcycle injury victims far too often had an insurqance company thumb its nose at the innocent injured motorcyclist.

We see this week after week, even when serious personal injuries include the following:

• neck injury
• back injury
• herniated disc
• paralysis
• spinal cord injury
• broken bones
• burns
• internal bleeding
• scarring
• disfigurement
• amputation

Shouldn’t the Negligent Motorist be Held Accountable? Shouldn’t Their Insurance Pay for the Harms and Losses?

Where a motorcyclist has been injured through the negligence, or carelessness, or a driver who was using a cell phone, or texting while driving, shouldn’t the negligent driver’s insurance company accept its responsibility to pay for the innocent victim’s financial losses and consequential losses of pain, suffering, limitations or restrictions on daily life?  We think so. So we’re here to help you.  We seek to secure justice on your behalf.

Contact us Today

Need a motorcycle injury lawyer?  Want a motorcycle injury attorney Florida injury victims can trust will put their needs first?

Contact us for legal help. Our service includes prompt investigation, efficient service, and fighting your claim quickly to achieve results.  Locally, we help our neighbors in:

• Charlotte County:  Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda
• Collier County: Everglades City, Golden Gate, Immokalee, Marco Island, Naples, Ochopee
• DeSoto County: Arcadia
• Glades County: Moore Haven, Palmdale
• Hendry County: Clewiston, Labelle
• Highlands County: Avon Park, Lake Placid, Sebring
• Lee County: Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers
• Manatee County: Bradenton, Ellenton, Palmetto
• Sarasota County Florida: Nokomis, North Port, Osprey, Sarasota, Venice

According to the Naples Daily News, Fort Myers News Press, and Cape Coral police, an off-duty Lee County sheriff’s deputy died in a motorcycle cycle crash with a car on Wednesday, January 12, in Cape Coral.

According to the reports, a Fort Myers man was driving his vehicle on on Pine Island Road, approaching the intersection of Skyline Boulevard while the off-duty deputy was riding his motorcycle east on Pine Island Road on the inside lane. The unconfirmed reports suggest the car turned into the motorcycle’s lane of travel, resulting in the fatal motorcycle crash.

The limited information here is assembled from different preliminary reports, and no inferences should be derived therefrom.

Despite the myriad of TV commercials and phone book ads which often dominate consumers’ minds when seeking a lawyer, you the consumer have choices when it comes to legal services.  When you and your family are facing a crisis, a serious personal injury or wrongful death caused by a serious motorcycle crash in Southwest Florida, which has changed the course your lives, what kind of advocate will you look for?

At the Harris Law Firm, we don’t believe in business as usual. We only represent individuals and families who have been injured through the carelessness or wrongs of others. We take injury cases on contingency, which means you do not owe us a penny in fees if we don’t win your case. Simple. Straightforward.  We share in the risk (which also provides financial incentive above and beyond the moral incentive) to move your case forward to secure prompt and fair justice.

Moving Accident Cases Forward, and Doing So Quickly

We also believe in moving accident cases forward, and doing so quickly.  If a case won’t settle quickly or justly, or if the insurance company delays or plays games, then with your permission we march ahead quickly to trial by jury. The fact is most cases do settle out of court, while others simply have to be tried and resolve by a jury.

We do not shy away from the courtroom. We have the experience, the skills, the drive, to win.

We Approach Motorcycle Accident Cases Differently

I founded the Harris Law Firm to do things differently. Not to take every case upon every perceived wrong, but to take on clients whom we believe in, move their case, their cause, as fast as possible, and fight to win through settlement or trial. We put the focus on the client, their needs, their values, and allow those qualities to help guide us through our shared quest for justice.

Of course, we don’t always win.  No one always wins in life or in the law.  Taking on compelling, yet challenging, cases means that some will be lost.  An old trial lawyer saying goes, “If you haven’t lost a trial, then you haven’t tried enough cases.” We can’t guarantee we’ll win your case. We can, however, promise personal attention, personal service, and the drive to win.

Contact Us Today to Discuss Your Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Claim

We handle accident and traffic cases on behalf of injured persons.  If you are seeking a Southwest Florida motorcycle accident law firm which puts your interests first in serious personal injury claims and wrongful death matters arising from motorcycle accidents, bike wrecks, motorcycle crashes, and similar negligence claims, then contact a trial attorney and motorcycle accident attorney at the Harris Law Firm PA today for a free consultation.

Those who have owned a motorcycle know what a wonderful feeling and experience it is to ride one. They will also be fully aware of how risky driving a motorcycle can be, which is part of the thrill unfortunately. Having a motorcycle accident compared to a car accident is completely different story.

Those who have been involved in a Florida motorcycle accident can vouch that having a motorcycle accident is far scarier than an auto accident, and the injuries can be a lot more severe. With a car you are protected by the body of the car and its seat belt. With a motorcycle accident you have nothing but a helmet (and maybe leathers or other protective clothing if you’re lucky) as protection. When you get thrown off a motorcycle your actual body gets hurled across the road and sometimes into the path of other road vehicles. A motorcyclist is almost 50 times more likely to be killed in a traffic crash than a car driver.

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, then you should make sure that law enforcement, local Sheriff’s Office, police, or Florida Highway Patrol, come to the scene to make a detailed report of the accident, including witness information. This report will be needed to make a claim for compensation. Also any details you have of the accident should be documented as soon as the accident as taken place to ensure the details are as accurate as possible.

Obviously if you have severe injuries, then your immediate concern is having EMS come to the scene, and going to the hospital or trauma center right away.  Only once your well enough to talk or write about the accident you should do so. The earlier you get these details down the better and it is best to contact an accident claim solicitor as soon as physically possible.

There are some ways you can help your Florida motorcycle accident lawyer before the first consultation.  See if you can gather some of following details to hand:

• Traffic Crash Report
• Names and addresses of other parties involved
• Time and date and place of accident
• Description of accident
• Property damage, i.e. motorcycle damage
• Names of all medical providers and hospitals
• Lost income information
• List of your injuries

If you are not physically able to collect this evidence, then contact a Florida motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible to gather the evidence on your behalf.  The fact is, evidence can become stale fairly quickly, and those witnesses who told you they would stand up for you soon disappear.

Call the Harris Law Firm PA today for your motorcycle crash claim in Southwest Florida.  We serve Ft Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Venice, LaBelle, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Marco Island, and beyond throughout Florida.

1. Always assume that you and your motorcycle are totally invisible to other drivers.

2. Leave plenty of space in front and back and to the sides from all other vehicles.

3. Beware of motorists turning left in front of you at intersections.

4. Beware of taking curves that you can’t see around. A parked car, slick surface, or a patch of sand may be awaiting you.

5. If someone is tailgating you, either speed up to open more space or pull over and let them pass.

6. Take a motorcycle safety course to learn what to look for to avoid accidents.

7. Wear protective clothing and a helmet.

Financial Losses Can Be Big in Motorcycle Accidents, So You May Want to Consult a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

In Florida, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits are not available to motorcyclists. This means that in the event of injury in a motorcycle accident, private health insurance must pay the bills. If there is no health coverage, then are going to rack up significant medical expenses (by those doctors who are still willing to treat you).  Some doctors may outright suggest that you hire a motorcycle accident attorney to pursue a legal claim against the at-fault motorist who caused your crash. Why?  So the medical bills charged by your doctors, who have worked hard to help you get better and healed (to the extent possible), have a realistic chance of being paid.

The fact is, your doctors don’t want you to have a stack of huge medical bills you can’t pay.  That doesn’t help them, and they know that doesn’t help you.

If the rider has a claim pursued by his or her Florida motorcycle lawyer, and that motorcycle accident attorney secures a settlement of the claim, then medical bills must usually be paid back: (1) to the health insurance carrier when health insurance has paid the bils; or (2) if there is no health insurance available, then to the health care provider e.g. doctor, hospital, therapy, etc.).

Consult an experienced Florida motorcycle attorney and personal injury attorney so you know where you stand.

Motorcyclists Are at Risk

Bikers face a challenging set of roads out there.  We know that roughly 3/4 of motorcycle accidents involve a collision with another vehicle; most often a passenger automobile. The other 1/4 of motorcycle accidents are single vehicle accidents involving the motorcycle colliding with the roadway or some fixed object in the environment.

When a vehicle crashes into a motorcycle, it is more often the other motorist’s failure to yield or encroaching on the biker’s right of way.  In other words, drivers of passenger cars and SUV fail to share the road.  We see this most at intersections, when the motorcycle proceeding straight and a car makes a left turn in front of the oncoming motorcycle.

Serious Injuries Caused by Others’ Carelessness

When you, or a loved one, have been seriously hurt in a motorcycle crash, then contact a Florida motorcycle accident lawyer at the Harris Law Firm.  Why?  Your physical injuries could last a lifetime. Your medical bills can quickly overwhelm you. Your lost income can create a financial hole, coupled with your medical expenses and injuries, that make it extremely difficult (or impossible) to overcome.  If the Florida motorcycle crash was not your fault, but instead due to someone’s carelessness, then why should have to pay for their critical mistake?  Why should you bear the entirety of the loss?

You have to focus on healing and moving forward.  An experienced and driven Florida motorcycle accident attorney at your side, standing by you, will take up your fight against the insurance companies, work toward settlement or a lawsuit, and work toward restoring financial certainty, security, and stability in your life.  Your motorcycle lawyer at the Harris Law Firm will work for you.

Call us today.

Many motorcyclists often believe that if they have purchased the top-of-the-line motorcycle insurance they will be taken care of in the event of a motorcycle accident. Unfortunately, The truth of the matter is you should always hire a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer to represent you so your rights are protected when dealing with the at faults party’s insurance company.

Initial Steps After a Motorcycle Crash

After being involved in a motorcycle accident causing personal injury, or wrongful death of a loved one, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention immediately; even if you don’t think you are seriously injured, those minor aches and pains can quickly turn into serious medical issues.  For example, a herniated disc is often does not generate symptoms or pain right away, and it may be weeks or even months before the severe tingling and spinal cord compression pain develop. Your health is your life: don’t put oat risk simply because you believe you can tough it out.

After You Have Sought Medical Treatment, Contact a Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Once you have treated at the hospital, and/or followed up with a doctor, and if the bike wreck was caused by another motorist’s recklessness or carelessness, then you should be consider finding qualified and experienced Florida motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as you can.  Your bike accident lawyer can make sure that the facts of your case — the evidence — is properly assembled and documented, including witness information, crash details, medical records, medical bills, and employment records to prove lost income.

Why May I Need a Lawyer if I was Not at Fault?

Now, in such situations, many smart motorcyclists wonder why they even need a lawyer.  After all, you were not at fault — the other driver struck you because he or she was not paying attention. Welcome to the world of auto insurance!

Even if you the police cited the other driver for the motorcycle crash, which they don’t always do anyway, or even if the negligent party admits he or she was at fault, car insurance companies which provide the liability coverage for the negligent driver almost always find a reason to deny the fair value (your harms and losses) of your claim in full, and low-ball you.  Further, auto insurance adjusters are notorious for delaying payment of your claim, even if you, the motorcycle rider, were tossed from your bike like a rag doll.

Ultimately, without an experienced bike lawyer, you could be stuck between choosing the low-ball offer which took far too long to get, or now trying to hire an attorney (to fix the potential mess that now exists after you have likely made some statements which will haunt you later) and also going to court.

Having a Southwest Florida motorcycle accident lawyer, up front at the beginning, can help avoid claim preparation missteps.  It’s not any sort of guarantee of a certain result, but peace of mind that your case will be developed so that if it does have to go to court, then both you and your case will likely to ready. An experienced personal injury attorney handling bike crash cases — motorcycle accident lawyer — should be able to present  your case and put the facts in the best light.

Who Do I Choose as My Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

The good news is that you do have choices and options when it comes to hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer.  You are ultimately looking for the best fit for you and your case.

There are several things you should consider when interviewing lawyers.  For example, it doesn’t make much sense to hire a lawyer who specializes in real estate law to fight your motorcycle accident case. As questions:

• How long have you been practicing law?
• Do you have trial experience?
• Have you ever tried a motorcycle accident before a jury?
• How will you pursue my case?
• Will you personally handle my case?
• Do you see any challenges in my case?
• What are my options?
• How will the lawyer charge for his services?
• How long will it take to being my case to conclusion?

Any lawyer who can’t give you few straight forward answers over the phone or seems confused, preoccupied, or indifferent should be a red flag to thank that attorney for his or her time and move on. While it can be challenging for a lawyer to evaluate a case over the phone without any hard evidence, once they have the basic information that can offer their professional opinion, and your next step would to set up an appointment to meet.

Let’s Pursue Justice Together on Your Motorcycle Crash Claim

If you have been in a motorcycle accident, then contact a Southwest Florida motorcycle accident lawyer who will protect your rights here at the Harris Law Firm, PA.  We put clients first.

In Southwest Florida, we serve your needs whether you are in Charlotte County (Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda), Collier County (Everglades City, Golden Gate, Immokalee, Marco Island, Naples, Ochopee), Glades County (Moore Haven, Palmdale), Hendry County (Clewiston, Felda, LaBelle), Highlands County (Lake Placid, Sebring), Lee County (Alva, Bonita Springs, Captiva, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, San Carlos Park, Sanibel, St James City), Manatee County (Bradenton, Palmetto), Sarasota County (North Port, Sarasota, Venice), and beyond. Call us today.