Fort Walton Beach Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

In 2020, there were 122 motorcycle crashes in the counties surrounding Fort Walton Beach (Okaloosa County and Walton County). That’s about one every three days. In those crashes, 12 people died.

So far, 2021 is already more deadly. According to data collected as of the end of October, 15 people have died out of 105 motorcycle crashes.

Each case is unique, so we can’t give you a specific number. Be wary of any attorney that tries to tell you otherwise.

What we can tell you is that we’ll fight tooth and nail to get you everything that you deserve from whoever caused your accident.

There are some factors that affect the value of your case, such as:

• The severity of your injuries
• Whether you were wearing a helmet
• Whether you were in any way at fault for causing the accident
• How long your recovery is expected to take
• If, and for how long, you were forced to miss work
• Whether your accident caused a disability

What determines the value of your case will depend completely on the facts unique to your accident. We leave no stone unturned when adding up expenses. You don’t get a second chance to ask for money. So we coordinate with your medical providers to understand every aspect of your injuries. We make sure we know the impact your injuries will have on your finances throughout your life.

When you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else, you can seek damages for all losses related to the crash.

Damages available to you in a personal injury case are generally in two categories:

• Economic
• Non-economic

Economic damages compensate you for monetary losses, such as:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Rehabilitation
• Damage to property
• Reduced earning potential
• Other out-of-pocket expenses

You deserve to have all expenses covered when someone else is responsible for your injuries.

Non-economic damages can include:

• PTSD
• Disability or disfigurement
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life activities

Some damages have a specific price tag, and some are less tangible but severely diminish your quality of life.  Both categories are often included in your award.

We’ll make sure to include everything possible in order to help improve your future after your accident. We often hire experts to help with projected costs.

It’s possible. Florida law is complex when it comes to insurance. It’s in your best interest to consult with a reputable Fort Walton Beach personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident so that you understand all of the legal options available to you.

If you also drive a car, you may know that Florida requires drivers to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance that kicks in regardless of fault. However, this requirement doesn’t apply to motorcycles. You may have purchased it anyway, as extra protection. If so, you will need to consult your policy to see if your accident is covered.

Otherwise, Florida has a modified comparative fault statute that apportions compensation among responsible parties. This means that you can’t be compensated for the portion of the accident that is determined to be your fault. If you’re deemed to be 40% at fault, then your award will be reduced by 40%. But you can’t recover damages if you are mostly at fault.

Insurance companies are known for blaming the victim. It’s often the easiest way to get out of paying your claim. They also try to pressure you into an early settlement that is less than you deserve, hoping you’ll be desperate for money.

Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers will fight aggressively against unfair blame. Our founding partner is a former insurance defense lawyer—this is a benefit to you. When they see that we represent you, they know they can’t get away with their usual tactics. Even if they try, we know their playbook, so our inside knowledge gives you an advantage in the process.

Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents frequently result in multiple serious injuries, if not death.

If you or someone you love has been hurt, we stand ready to fight for any and all injuries you may have suffered as a result of this traumatic event.

Common injuries from motorcycle crashes may include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Paralysis
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Permanent disability
• Back injuries
• Neck injuries
• Road rash
• Amputation injuries
• Wrongful death
• And more

You’re likely to be facing painful injuries. Recovery can be long and extremely challenging—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Not to mention that the medical expenses can be financially devastating. We work hard to get you the money you need to help you through this unbearable time.

Sadly, most motorcycle crashes are avoidable. They’re usually caused by someone’s negligence. Drivers of cars often aren’t watching for motorcycles.

Some common causes of motorcycle accidents are:

• Cars turning left in front of motorcycles
• Drunk driving
• Unsafe lane changes
• Speeding
• Getting hit by a car due to poor visibility
• Following too closely
• Inexperienced operators
• Mechanical failure

It’s not uncommon for accidents to have multiple causes. You need an experienced attorney to determine causation. Our comprehensive investigation will pinpoint all contributing causes so that we pursue every avenue of recovery for you.

Even in cases where it’s clear that someone else is at fault, negligence can be tricky to prove. That’s why you need a lawyer who has experience litigating personal injury claims.

To prove negligence, you must prove each of its four elements:

1. Duty
2. Breach
3. Causation
4. Damages.

You’ll need compelling evidence to prove your case, such as:

• Your own testimony detailing what you remember about the accident
• Eyewitness testimony supporting your account of what happened
• Police reports that show the defendant was responsible
• Toxicology reports showing that the defendant was drunk (or proving that you weren’t)
• Medical reports detailing the extent of your injuries
• Expert testimony supporting your argument for lost wages
• Video footage from a traffic camera or dashcam refuting allegations that you were at fault

Ease case is different. We’ll design a strategy specifically for you. Not cookie-cutter. We’ve successfully handled hundreds of injury cases. We know what it takes to win. Often, we present such compelling arguments that the defense throws in the towel before trial and offers a generous settlement.

But we are at home in the courtroom and we won’t hesitate to take your case to trial if the settlement doesn’t go your way. We’ll never pressure you into a settlement that is less than what you deserve. Your future is too important.

Nothing about accident cases is simple—even something as seemingly straightforward as a deadline to file your lawsuit.

You’ll have to file your lawsuit within two years to recover compensation for injuries. If you’re filing a wrongful death case due to the death of a family member, you also have to file within two years.

The deadlines could be shorter or longer depending on the specifics of your case. For example, claims against a government entity must be filed within three years.

There may be other important deadlines for insurance claims.

Which deadlines apply to you could vary depending on the circumstances of your accident. For example, suppose your accident was caused in part by a city bus (3-year deadline) and in part by brake failure (4-year deadline).

This highlights the importance of hiring an experienced Fort Walton Beach motorcycle accident attorney to handle your case. Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers has over half a century of combined experience to bring to your case.