Top Motorcycle Lawyers in Pinellas Park

If you are looking for a motorcycle accident Lawyer in Pinellas Park, we can help you. We have represented countless victims and their families after these unexpected and difficult times. We understand how tragic the effects can be on a family when a loved one is seriously injured or killed while on a motorcycle. We are here to help get your loves back in order, to answer your questions, and then maximize the compensation available for your losses.

Sean McQuaid and Jonathon Douglas are partners at Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. The law firm specializes in motorcycle accident cases. Since 1958, we have helped families through these most difficult times. We have the resources and experience to handle the most serious cases. If you want to hire lawyers that battle the insurance companies and win, then please contact us for a free consultation. We are the attorneys that are called upon to handle the most serious of cases.

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Pinellas Park has a high number of motorcycle accidents each year. Because it is close to the beaches, a lot of riders have to cross through both Pinellas Park and Largo on their way to their destination. Additionally, because of the number of thoroughfares through the area, motorcyclists are often forced to drive on busy or congested roads. Roads like US 19 can be very dangerous for motorcyclists. When you add in the number of visitors to the area who are unfamiliar with our roads and elderly drivers who have a hard time seeing motorcycles, the risk escalates.

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How Can a Lawyer Help After the Death of a Loved One From a Motorcycle Accident?

In these tragic situations, a lawyer is necessary. There will be steps that have to be taken with the court to open an estate for the deceased individual. Once the estate is opened and a personal representative is appointed, that party then has the authority to sue or settle. Once the case is resolved, the money from the settlement will then be able to be accepted and distributed to the heirs. Fortunately, one of our law partners specializes in probate work. Rachel Drude-Tomori is a partner at Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A., and we bring her in to handle the estate side of these cases. These are always the toughest cases to handle, but because motorcycles do not offer much protection, wrongful death claims are far too common.

What Should I Do If I Was In a Motorcycle Accident?

We understand that you may be confused and in pain after an accident. If you follow these steps, you will improve your chances for a successful claim.

Step 1: Contact the Police

The first step you should take after every accident is to contact the police. Their investigation into the cause of the accident will be important for the rest of the claim. They will interview witnesses and draft a crash report. This report will be used by the insurance companies and will speed up the handling of the claim. So, always be polite to the officer because the result of his or her investigation will be very important.

Step 2: Take Photos

After a motorcycle accident, a picture is worth a thousand words. Many people are so shaken up that they forget to document what just happened. We advise our clients to take photos at the scene of the motorcycle and the other vehicle. If you can get photos of the drivers and any passengers, that is also helpful. Once you get to a safe and well-lit area, take better pictures of the damage to the motorcycle. Lastly, if you have visible injuries like road rash, make sure you take photos of them. These photos will be important to show the insurance company what happened and what you went through as a result of the incident.

Step 3: Get Witness Information

Once a witness leaves the scene, they are lost forever. Do not rely on the police officer to get this information for you. Even if you are badly injured, make sure that someone obtains all of the contact information for anyone who may have witnessed the accident.

Step 4: Seek Medical Treatment

The most important factor in determining the value of your claim is your medical treatment. If you wait days to see if you get better, your claim will have less value in the eyes of the insurance company. Their position is that if you wait to seek treatment, then you could not have been injured that badly. Therefore, do not give the insurance company any excuse to devalue your claim. If you need emergency medical treatment, go to the hospital or an urgent care. If your injuries do not rise to that level, then get an appointment with a medical specialist as soon as possible. If you need a referral to a doctor who specializes in motorcycle accident injuries, we can give you a list of names. The bottom line advice is not to wait.

Who Pays For My Medical Bills After a Motorcycle Accident?

Motorcycle accident claims are different than all other auto accident claims because the insurance is different. In Florida, motorcycle riders are not included in the state’s no-fault law that requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This means that the $10,000 of PIP insurance that would normally go toward the payment of bills is not available for an injured motorcyclist. Obviously, this affects how medical bills are handled after the accident.

After the accident, you can run your medical bills through your health insurance or treat under a letter of protection (LOP). An LOP is an agreement between you, your lawyer, and your doctor that your medical bills will be paid out of the settlement of the injury case. If you receive treatment that has been billed to your health insurance, they will impose a lien against your settlement. This lien will have to be satisfied before your lawyer can distribute any money to you.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Lawyer?

All motorcycle accident attorneys in Pinellas Park and Largo charge on a contingency basis. This means that the lawyer is paid a percentage of the money that is recovered. If no money is won, then you do not owe the lawyer anything. You never have to put any money down, never have to make payments, and never have to pay a retainer. This makes the arrangement zero risk to hire a lawyer.

The percentages that lawyers charge are also the same. For most claims, the fee is 33%. For claims against a state or government agency, the fee is 25%.

Sean McQuaid and Jonathon Douglas understand how difficult motorcycle accidents in Pinellas Park can be for everyone involved. They have a history of success that is unparalleled in the area. Most importantly, they will answer your questions and help you and your family recover. They will always put your best interests first. We hope that you are not in this unfortunate situation, but if you are, please call or email one of our Motorcycle Lawyers in Pinellas Park for a free consultation. Pinellas Park for a free consultation.

If you are looking for a motorcycle accident attorney in St. Petersburg, we can help. Sean McQuaid and Jonathon Douglas specialize in motorcycle accidents and have represented countless victims over the years. Because these accidents are unexpected and often tragic, you will likely have many questions about your options and rights.

Sean McQuaid and Jonathon Douglas are partners at Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A., St. Petersburg’s oldest law firm. Since 1958, we have been representing people who have been seriously injured or even killed in motorcycle accidents in St. Petersburg. We understand the toll that these accidents take on families. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, please contact us for a free consultation immediately.

Motorcycle Accidents in St. Petersburg

Motorcycle accidents in St. Petersburg do not usually occur on I-275 or on the more congested roads. We have observed that most of them occur on side streets or intersections in areas of town where you do not normally find heavy traffic. This is because most of the accidents are from cars pulling out in front of motorcyclists or turning in front of them at an intersection. Visibility is always a problem for motorcycle safety and with our elderly population in St. Petersburg, the roads can be very dangerous.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, either the St. Petersburg Police Department or the Florida Highway Patrol will investigate the crash. Most of our injured clients receive medical care at Bayfront Hospital, St. Anthony’s Hospital, St. Petersburg General Hospital, or Northside Hospital. The most serious accidents all are taken to Bayfront due to its superior trauma unit.

Please understand that there is a stigma associated with motorcycles that you must be cognizant of. When another vehicle hits you, it is because they didn’t see you. The first reaction of the other driver will be that you had to have been speeding because you came out of nowhere. I have handed countless motorcycle claims and this is a common theme. So, be prepared to address and refute this issue in every case.