Jacksonville Motorcycle Hit and Run Accident Lawyers
Motorcycle Hit-and-Run
Imagine this.
You're traveling down the open highway on your motorcycle. It's a beautiful day. You're in no hurry so you pull into the right lane and settle in for a relaxing drive. Suddenly an SUV speeds up on your left and swerves into your lane, tapping your bike and sending you and your machine head over handlebars into the trees. And the SUV that caused the wreck heads off into the sunset.
In real life, you would most likely die in this accident and unless someone was paying close attention, the driver of the car that caused your death would get away free and clear.
Every year in Florida, hundreds of people die in hit-and-run accidents. State statistics from 2008, report that Duval County, the seventh largest in Florida, was number three in the number of hit-and-run accidents. While the number of prosecutions for hit-and-run accidents overall is in decline, in Duval County alone, the number of hit-and-runs was more than 6-thousand in 2008.
The number of motorcycle crashes dropped significantly in Florida in 2009 but there were still more than 8-thousand motorcycle accidents in our state. Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable because often drivers behind the wheel of cars, trucks, vans, or SUV's just don't see the biker on the road. And, of course, motorcyclists don't have the kind of protection an SUV offers in an accident. The result is almost always devastating.
For the driver who leaves the scene of an accident, the consequences can be very serious, too - including jail time should the damages be catastrophic. If they are caught, they can face up to 30 years in prison if there is a death involved. It's a misdemeanor if there are no injuries.
Most drivers who leave the scene of an accident are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, are uninsured, have no license, are driving a stolen vehicle or have outstanding fines or warrants.
So what do you do?
First and foremost - before you get on a motorcycle, wear a helmet and other protective gear. There are a number of studies indicating that if you wear a helmet, you increase your chances of surviving and avoiding serious brain trauma.
Second - an accident, if you are able, it's important to try to get a make, a model or even a plate number of the car that caused the accident. Otherwise, it's up to crash investigators to find witnesses, surveillance video or other evidence that might be left at the scene.
This is when it is important to have an experienced Florida motorcycle hit-and-run attorney on your side. Independent investigation of the scene can help bring the offender to justice. An expert in Florida's personal injury law can help you with compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of productivity, and any other monetary damages that come from the crash.
In the case of a hit-and-run accident, juries often recognize the trauma of being injured in a grossly negligent way and return a verdict for punitive damages.
You need to get your health back. Let an experienced Florida personal injury attorney handle the rest.
Please visit our Jacksonville Florida Motorcycle Crash Website for more info.
Our personal promise: Accident victims have specific rights, but by law you have a limited time to take action. When you use our team at Farah & Farah, there are NO up-front charges.
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Our fee is a percentage of the money awarded payable only when your case is successfully concluded. No matter how many times you call and how long we talk, there is NO CHARGE or cost until your case settles. Do not sign any releases, agreements or give any statements until you have spoken with us about your legal rights. When it comes to getting you more, we won't settle for less!
We personally promise that you will be treated with the respect and dignity you deserve. We promise to keep you up to date and informed as to developments in your case. Your case is important to us, regardless of size.
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