If that was not bad enough, the motorist attempted to flee the scene of the accident. Fortunately, they were apprehended in a nearby parking lot, according to CBS Miami.

Under Florida Statute § 316.061, fleeing the scene of an automobile collision is against the law and may result in a misdemeanor or felony conviction. Whether someone is charged with a misdemeanor or felony depends on whether the collision resulted in someone suffering an injury or losing their life. In the accident described above, the negligent driver will likely face a criminal felony charge.

What To Do If You Were Hurt In A Motorcycle Accident

If you or a family member was hurt in a motorcycle collision, seek immediate medical attention to ensure your injuries are treated right away. If you are physically able, you should try to do the following:

• Keep the damaged motorcycle;
• Take photos of the damage to the motorcycle and any visible bodily injuries;
• Get the contact information for any witnesses that saw the collision;
• Make sure the police are called and an accident report is filed; and
• Keep track of all your medical expenses and lost wages.

Common Types of Injuries After Being Involved in a Motorcycle Accident

People involved in collisions while operating a motorcycle routinely suffer serious, potentially-catastrophic bodily injuries. This is because motorcyclists lack the same types of protection as someone operating a sedan or pickup truck. A motorcyclist does not have an airbag or seatbelt to help protect them. When they get hit, they bear the brunt of the impact. This means motorcyclists routinely suffer injuries like:

• Broken bones;
• Head trauma such as a severe concussion or traumatic brain injury;
• Amputation;
• Lacerations
• Neck and back injuries; and/or
• Paralysis

Pursuing a Civil Claim Against the Reckless Driver That Hit You

If you or a family member suffered one or more of the injuries described above, you can pursue financial compensation to compensate you for your damages. You should hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who will make sure that you pursue maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost income, any long-term disability, pain and suffering, and other harms and losses. If you lost a family member in a motorcycle wreck, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim against the reckless driver and pursue compensation for your funeral costs, burial costs, any medical costs incurred by the victim, lost income, loss of companionship and consortium, and other types of damages.

An Experienced Miami Motorcycle Accident Attorney Is Here to Help

Getting hurt in a motorcycle accident can be a life-altering event. The law firm of Alan Goldfarb, P.A. in Miami understands and is here to assist you during this difficult time. Our law firm has decades of experience and only handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you only pay a legal fee if we get a financial recovery for you.

Resource:

miami.cbslocal.com/2017/08/26/couple-motorcycles-hurt-hit-run-crash/

Unfortunately, many Floridians find themselves in this type of situation. Motorcycle accident injuries have increased every year between 2011 and 2013. In 2012, motorcycle accident deaths actually accounted for 15 percent of all motor vehicle deaths in Florida.

What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident

If you were seriously injured in a collision, you need to take some important steps to ensure vital evidence is preserved thereby strengthening your personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. If you are physically able, call the police and make sure a police report is filed. If possible, take photos of your motorcycle and your injuries. Also, get the at-fault driver’s name and auto insurance information. Seek medical treatment right away and keep all documents and invoices from your treatment since it could be used as evidence in a motorcycle accident injury case.

Pursuing Financial Restitution for Your Harms and Losses Stemming from a Motorcycle Accident

If you file a personal injury claim against the reckless driver, you may be able to pursue an array of economic and non-economic damages that are intended to make you whole.

Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages while unable to work, and diminished earning capacity if you suffered a permanent injury that will prevent you from returning to work.  Economic damages are fairly straightforward to calculate since you generally tabulate invoices and bills for all costs you incurred.

Non-economic damages are more difficult to calculate because they cover those intangible harms and losses. These damages are often referred to as “pain and suffering.” They include the mental and emotional trauma stemming from the accident including anxiety, anguish, fear, and diminished quality of life.

Recovering Damages Requires Proof of Negligence

In a personal injury claim, the injured party carries the evidentiary burden of establishing that the defendant was negligent and that negligence proximately caused your injuries. In a motorcycle accident case, this generally includes showing the defendant breached a duty of care. For example, if the driver of a sedan, SUV, or pickup truck was intoxicated, speeding, or texting on their phone and wound up hitting you, then this is a breach of their duty to operate their vehicle in a safe manner. Once you establish that a breach of duty occurred, you then need to show proximate causation and actual damages (e.g., the aforementioned medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.).

Speak to an Experienced Miami Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

As you can see, pursuing damages through a motorcycle accident injury claim requires collecting evidence, investigating the accident, and persuading a judge or jury to side in your favor. This is why you need to contact Alan Goldfarb, P.A. to discuss your potential case. Our team of experienced Miami motorcycle accident lawyers are here to help.

Resources:

orlandosentinel.com/news/traffic/os-motorcycle-deaths-bike-week-20170311-story.html

wctv.tv/home/headlines/Florida-1-for-Motorcycle-Fatalities-370981991.html