Get Real Justice with Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Serving Starke, Bradford County & Nearby Areas of Florida
Motorcycle accidents often result in serious and catastrophic injuries. These injuries can leave you with significant expenses, immense physical pain, and permanent impacts on your ability to work and enjoy life as you once did. A skilled Starke motorcycle accident lawyer can help you pursue maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
If you were injured while riding a motorcycle in or around Starke, FL, you are not covered by Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. You will need to bring a claim against the careless driver who caused the accident. Insurance companies don’t make this easy, but Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers is here to help you fight for Real Justice.
Throughout the entirety of your case, you can count on us to Keep It Real. Our Starke motorcycle accident attorneys will provide you with honest advice, compassionate support, and Real Advocacy. We make it our mission to champion your cause and obtain the full compensation you deserve.
Find out how Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers can support you after a motorcycle crash. Call 904-758-1111 or contact us online today for a FREE consultation with a Starke motorcycle accident lawyer. We serve injured motorcyclists in Bradford County and nearby communities in Florida.
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Why Choose Us?
When you’re facing one of the toughest moments of your life, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a trusted ally who will stand with you and fight for your rights.
What To Do After a Motorcycle Crash
The moments after a motorcycle crash are critical to your health, your safety, and your legal claim. Unfortunately, they come when you’re at your most vulnerable, overwhelmed, and hurt. It’s hard to think clearly, so knowing what to do is vital to your well-being and your legal rights.
Our motorcycle accident attorneys recommend taking the following steps after a crash:
- Call 911 Right Away: In Florida, crashes resulting in injury or death must be reported to the local police immediately.
- Move to Safety: If possible, try to move yourself and your motorcycle out of the road. This reduces the risk of further injury.
- Get Medical Attention: Wait for first responders to arrive and get checked out by paramedics. They may treat you at the scene or transport you to the hospital if you’ve suffered a serious injury.
- Exchange Information: You need the driver’s name, contact details, and insurance information, as well as the license plate for the vehicle.
- Cooperate with the Police: Provide the responding officer with an honest account of the crash as you experienced it. The police report contains vital information for your motorcycle accident case, so accuracy is key.
- Document the Scene: Take pictures of skid marks, debris in the road, damage to the vehicles, and any visible injuries you suffered. You should also document road and weather conditions at the scene.
- Speak to Witnesses: If anyone witnessed the crash, ask them to describe what they saw and ask for their contact information. Witness testimony can support your claim.
- Go to the Emergency Room: Even if you receive medical care at the scene and feel fine, it is crucial to seek additional treatment at the hospital. Brain injuries, whiplash, and other injuries might not be apparent immediately and may become serious without timely intervention.
- Follow All Medical Instructions: Attend all doctor appointments, take prescribed medications, and participate in any necessary therapy or rehabilitation. This can help foster recovery and strengthen your motorcycle accident claim.
- Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney: A Starke motorcycle accident lawyer can investigate the crash, explore your legal options, and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.
You might feel like the odds are stacked against you in the aftermath of a motorcycle wreck. The attorneys at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers are staunch advocates for those who have been injured through no fault of their own. We provide the highest standard of legal representation for victims of motorcycle accident injuries, as well as for families who have lost loved ones in motorcycle crashes.
What Not To Do After a Motorcycle Crash
The sad truth is that motorcyclists may face an uphill battle when making an accident claim. Motorists and insurance companies will likely try to blame you. In addition to taking the steps above, there are also certain actions you should avoid. These include:
- DON’T admit fault: Never say anything to suggest you contributed to the accident, whether you’re speaking to the driver, the police, or an insurance company.
- DON’T delay medical care: As we’ve said, waiting to see a doctor or go to the hospital can have disastrous consequences for your health. It also gives the defense fodder for arguing your injuries aren’t that serious.
- DON’T wait to report the accident: If the police don’t respond or you’re taken from the scene before they arrive, you should report the crash as soon as possible. You can report a crash online via the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) website.
- DON’T speak to insurance adjusters on your own: You have a duty to notify your insurer if you are involved in an accident. Beyond that, you shouldn’t speak to insurance adjusters before talking to an attorney.
- DON’T wait to hire a lawyer: A motorcycle accident injury attorney in Starke can represent your best interests right away. There’s no reason to wait!
Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers has Real Experience holding negligent drivers accountable and securing major recoveries from insurance companies. We have earned more than $1 billion in Real Results for our clients.
What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle accidents have many potential causes. Our attorneys draw upon decades of experience, in-depth knowledge, and extensive resources to investigate the crash and ensure that fault is properly assigned.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Starke and throughout Bradford County include:
- Failure to yield at intersections
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Following too closely/tailgating
- Unsafe merging and lane changes
- Illegal turns
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Aggressive driving and road rage
This is not an exhaustive list. If you were injured on your motorcycle and suspect another driver or other defendant may have been at fault, it is important to seek legal counsel right away.
Who’s Liable?
In our experience, accidents are usually caused by the driver of a motor vehicle, not the rider. This is contrary to the popular misconception that motorcyclists are irresponsible risk-takers; most riders are sensible individuals who take numerous precautions.
Most motorcycle accident claims will name the driver of the other vehicle as a defendant. Other potential defendants may include the driver’s employer (if they were working at the time of the crash), the manufacturer of defective parts and components, government agencies that fail to maintain roads, etc.
What If I’m Partially At Fault?
Florida uses a modified comparative fault system in personal injury claims. If you are found to be partially at fault, recoverable damages are reduced according to your percentage of fault. This allows you to recover some compensation for your injuries even if you are partly to blame. However, you will be barred from any compensation should your share of negligence exceed 50%.
Fault is often hotly disputed in motorcycle accident cases. Don’t be intimidated by the insurance company’s effort to blame you or pay less than you deserve. Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers seeks Real Justice for riders. Contact us today to schedule your FREE case review.
– you are in good hands!
Common Injuries & Compensation in Motorcycle Accident Claims
According to the latest statistics from the FLHSMV, more than 7,800 motorcyclists on average are injured in Florida each year. These numbers represent real people whose lives are often irrevocably changed by serious injuries.
Some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries in Starke and Bradford County include:
- Traumatic Head & Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Whiplash & Neck Injuries
- Broken Bones & Fractures
- Road Rash
- Internal Injuries
- Burn Injuries
- Loss of Limbs & Amputations
Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers provides Real Advocacy in motor vehicle injury and wrongful death claims. We calculate the full extent of damages from catastrophic injuries or the loss of a loved one and seek to maximize compensation through a settlement or trial award.
The damages you may be entitled to include:
Economic Damages
These are the financial losses you sustain as a result of the accident. A Starke motorcycle accident attorney can pursue the following economic damages on your behalf:
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages to date
- Diminished or lost earning capacity
- Household services, home & vehicle modifications, and other out-of-pocket costs
Non-Economic Damages
A motorcycle wreck may also leave you with intangible losses that don’t have a clear monetary value. Non-economic damages that may be available in your claim include:
- Pain & suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability
- Scarring & disfigurement
- Loss of consortium & companionship
Punitive Damages
Florida law allows for the recovery of punitive damages at trial if there is compelling evidence that the defendant engaged in “intentional misconduct or gross negligence.” Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant for egregious actions and make an example of them so other defendants don’t do the same.
Do I Need a Starke Motorcycle Accident Lawyer To Get Real Results?
Yes, it is generally in your best interest to have a motorcycle accident attorney in Starke handle your case. Having a Real Advocate gives you the best chance of obtaining the optimal outcome.
Insurance companies are concerned about their bottom line, not compensating you fairly. They may employ a variety of tricks to undervalue and undermine your claim, such as asking you to make a recorded statement and using it against you later. Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers gives you peace of mind, communicating with the insurer so you don’t have to.
Our attorneys are formidable negotiators. We are often able to settle cases for far more than the original offer. We can also file a lawsuit and prepare your case for trial if necessary. Decades of trial experience mean we can represent you effectively in the courtroom.
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we don’t get paid unless we win. Your initial consultation is FREE, and fees are only due if we obtain a settlement on your behalf or win at trial.
How Long Do I Have To File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Florida?
The current statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims in Florida is 2 years. For accidents before March 24, 2023, the former time limit of 4 years still applies.
It is important to consult a Starke motorcycle accident attorney ASAP, regardless of when the crash occurred. Delays can lead to the loss of key evidence. If you file after the time limit expires, the court is likely to dismiss your case.
How Can Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers Help?
Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers is a celebrated personal injury law firm. We are highly respected by our clients and peers within the legal community for our steadfast advocacy and trusted counsel.
First and foremost, we pledge to Keep It Real with you. That means providing you with an honest assessment of your case, explaining your options for making a claim, and discussing the compensation you may be due.
Our Starke motorcycle accident attorneys have the experience to help with all aspects of your case. This includes:
- Fully investigating the accident
- Gathering evidence at the scene
- Speaking to witnesses
- Obtaining a copy of the police report
- Identifying any and all defendants
- Reviewing your medical records
- Consulting doctors and other medical professionals treating your injuries
- Enlisting expert witnesses to review evidence and provide testimony
- Calculating the damages in your motorcycle crash claim
- Handling communications and settlement negotiations with all insurance companies
- Preparing for trial, if necessary
We know the legal system in Bradford County and Florida as a whole. This enables us to represent clients with the utmost effectiveness, whether we’re negotiating a settlement or presenting the case in court. We have Real Experience advocating for the victims of motorcycle accidents, which is crucial for achieving the best result for each client.
Get Real Advocacy, Real Experience, Real Justice
Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable people on the road. Unfortunately, drivers often disregard the rights of riders. When this happens, the results can be terrible. Even the most well-equipped motorcyclists are likely to be seriously injured in a crash, whether it’s a near-miss or a collision with a larger vehicle.
Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers provides the highest caliber of legal representation in motorcycle accident claims. We understand the unique challenges riders face and strive to overcome them so you can have the financial resources you need to move forward with your life and the peace of mind that only comes with getting Real Justice.
Contact Our Starke Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today for a FREE Case Review
Have you or a loved one been injured in a motorcycle accident in Starke, Bradford County, or elsewhere in north central Florida? Call Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers at 904-758-1111 or contact us online to discuss your case for FREE.
When you’re feeling at sea after a serious injury or the tragic death of a cherished loved one, you need a champion. Our Starke motorcycle accident lawyers can provide you with the legal support you need and fight for the result you deserve.