Motorcycle accidents can transform a day out enjoying Jacksonville, Florida’s excellent weather into a nightmare. These crashes often result in serious injuries, which means that a personal injury claim against the liable party could be the only way to recover your losses. However, the insurance companies won’t make the process easy, and the state’s helmet laws could have an impact on your case depending on the facts.
At Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our Florida motorcycle accident lawyers understand how much stress you’re under and how much help you need to recover, both physically and financially. We can help. Contact us online or call (904) 356-6071 today for a free consultation to get started with your case.
How Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident In Jacksonville, FL
If you have sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle accident, including traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, or other life-altering wounds, you may be able to step outside of Florida’s no-fault insurance system and file a claim against the person who caused your injuries.
It’s not always simple to prove liability, however, which is where a team of Jacksonville motorcycle accident attorneys can help.
At Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our deserving clients. We’re confident we can help you with your case as well. We offer services that include:
- Evaluation of the claim during a free consultation
- In-depth investigation into the bike accident
- Collection of evidence to establish liability
- Calculation of damages
- Communication and negotiation with insurance companies
- Litigation, if a settlement isn’t possible
Our team is made up of trial attorneys who prepare each case as if it were being presented in court. Contact our motorcycle accident lawyers in Jacksonville, FL, today for a free consultation.
Florida’s Motorcycle Helmet Laws
Florida’s laws regarding helmets are relatively strict for younger riders. People who are under the age of 21 must wear a helmet on a motorcycle at all times, even if they’re riding as passengers. Those above 21 are exempt from wearing a helmet only if they have at least $10,000 in insurance to cover medical costs.
The helmet must comply with the Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218. Aside from these helmet laws, you’re required to also wear eye protection unless your motorcycle has a windscreen. There are no exceptions to the eye protection requirement.
Florida’s helmet laws aren’t arbitrary guidelines. They are meant to protect you from suffering catastrophic injuries. A helmet helps shield you from the type of head trauma that could result in a concussion or severe TBI.
If someone chooses not to wear a helmet and is injured, however, could this decision impact their claim? Here’s how it works.
Helmets and Motorcycle Accident Claims in Florida
For your motorcycle accident claim to succeed, you must generally show that the other party was negligent in their conduct. If you weren’t wearing a helmet, it’s possible that their insurance company will try to pin some of the blame on you.
This matters, even if you were over 21 at the time of the crash and carried the required insurance coverage. The insurer might argue that you shared some fault for your own injuries due to your decision not to wear a helmet, or at least failed to mitigate your damages.
However, Florida’s modified comparative negligence laws mean that you can still recover some of your losses, as long as you don’t hold the majority of the blame for the crash. Your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault you hold, though.
Because of these laws, it’s in your best interests to aggressively defend against any blame that insurers may try to place on you. An attorney can help you present the right evidence to prove the other party’s liability.
Contact Our Jacksonville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Filing a personal injury claim after a motorcycle accident that seriously injured you may be the right option, even if you weren’t wearing a helmet. However, negotiating an insurance settlement is never something you should do without representation.
At Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our team of Jacksonville motorcycle accident attorneys brings decades of experience to the negotiating table. We understand how insurance companies think and know what evidence can make a difference.
Don’t go it alone when there’s help available. Contact our team today for a free consultation.