Coral Springs Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
After a motorcycle crash, do you feel like you’re already being blamed? It’s an unfair reality for many riders. Before you’ve had a chance to process what happened, a driver, a witness, or even a responding officer may have already decided you were the reckless one just because you were riding. This bias is a hurdle you shouldn’t have to clear alone.
Florida’s laws add another layer of difficulty. Unlike drivers of cars, motorcyclists are not covered by no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. This means the system for getting your medical bills paid is entirely different and hinges on proving the other driver was at fault.
Thankfully, you don’t have to figure this out while trying to heal.
At the Law Firm of Cindy Goldstein, we handle the legal system so you can focus on recovery. We understand the prejudice riders face and the specific insurance roadblocks designed to frustrate your claim. Your job is to get better. Ours is to manage the details.
For a no-cost, no-obligation conversation about your case, call us at (954) 346-5420.
Why Choose the Law Firm of Cindy Goldstein for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim?
You Speak Directly with Your Attorney
Attorney Cindy Goldstein personally manages every case. The person giving you advice is the same person who has handled injury claims in South Florida for decades. This direct line of communication means your case strategy is built by someone who knows you and the specific details of your situation.
Our office is here in Coral Springs at 10100 W Sample Rd, Ste 200. We are part of this community, not a distant firm that sees you as just another file number.
A Clear Financial Arrangement
We work on a contingency fee basis. This is straightforward: we only get paid if we win your case by securing a settlement or a court award for you. There are no upfront fees. Our payment comes from the compensation we recover on your behalf. If we don’t succeed, you owe us nothing.
We prepare every case as if it is headed for trial. This rigorous preparation—investigating the scene, gathering evidence, and fully understanding your injuries—is our foundation for strong negotiation. Insurance companies are well aware of which law firms are ready to litigate and which will accept a low offer to close a file. In many cases, our trial-readiness persuades them to offer a fair settlement without ever needing to see a courtroom.
How Is Compensation Calculated in a Florida Motorcycle Accident?
The purpose of a personal injury claim is to provide financial stability after an accident has taken it away. The law calls this “damages,” and it’s designed to account for every single loss you’ve suffered. These losses are typically sorted into two main types.
Economic Damages: The Hard-Dollar Losses
These are the concrete, calculable expenses that show up in a flood of envelopes after a crash. We document every penny to paint a clear picture of the financial toll on your life.
- Medical Bills: This covers everything from the ambulance ride and emergency room care to future surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and medical devices.
- Lost Wages: This is the income you’ve already lost from being unable to work. We use pay stubs and employment records to establish this amount precisely.
- Future Earning Capacity: If your injury permanently changes your ability to do your job or limits your career path, we calculate the income you will lose over your working lifetime.
- Property Damage: This is the cost to repair or replace your motorcycle, helmet, and any other gear damaged in the crash.
Non-Economic Damages: The Human Toll
Some losses don’t come with a price tag. These damages are for the personal, human cost of the accident.
- Pain and Suffering: This legal term addresses the physical pain and chronic discomfort you live with daily. It’s the pain that flares up on a cold morning or the ache that never quite goes away.
- Mental Anguish: A crash can leave invisible scars, like the anxiety that spikes when you hear screeching tires or the depression that can accompany a long, difficult recovery.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Maybe you can no longer go for a weekend ride, play in the yard with your kids, or engage in hobbies that once brought you joy. The law says this loss has value.
A Note on Punitive Damages
In rare instances where the at-fault driver’s behavior was exceptionally reckless—such as in cases of extreme DUI or a road rage attack—a court may award punitive damages. These are not meant to cover a loss. They are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the community.
Where Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen Most in Coral Springs and Broward County?
While a crash can occur anywhere, some roads in our area are well-known hotspots. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Broward County consistently has one of the highest rates of motorcycle accidents in the state, with hundreds of injuries and dozens of fatalities each year.
Common Danger Zones Around Coral Springs:
- Sample Road: As a major east-west artery, its high traffic volume and countless business entrances lead to cars pulling out or stopping suddenly.
- University Drive: This congested north-south corridor is notorious for drivers changing lanes without checking their blind spots for motorcycles.
- Atlantic Boulevard: Lined with shopping centers, this road is a common site for accidents where cars making turns fail to yield the right-of-way to an oncoming rider.
- The Sawgrass Expressway (SR 869): High speeds and constant merging traffic make it difficult for a motorcyclist to remain visible and safe.
Local Factors That Increase Risk:
- Tourist Seasons: Our roads are frequently shared with out-of-state drivers who are unfamiliar with local traffic patterns, leading to unpredictable driving.
- Sudden Florida Downpours: A sudden downpour makes roads dangerously slick. If there is any oil on the road, it rises to the surface. These conditions are particularly treacherous for a two-wheeled vehicle.
What Is ‘Comparative Fault’ and How Does It Affect My Claim?
Florida uses a legal doctrine called “comparative fault” to determine compensation when there’s shared blame for an accident. In simple terms, it means your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if a jury determines you have $100,000 in damages but also finds you were 10% at fault for the crash, your final award would be reduced by 10%, leaving you with $90,000.
A recent change in Florida law makes this even more significant: if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation at all.
The Insurance Adjuster’s Playbook
Soon after the accident, expect a call from the other driver’s insurance adjuster. Remember, this person’s incentive is to protect their company’s profits by minimizing your claim. They may sound friendly, but their goal is directly opposed to yours.
Here is what to anticipate:
- A Request for a Recorded Statement: The adjuster will ask you to give a recorded account of the accident. You should politely decline. The purpose is to get you to say something they can use against you later, to twist your words, or to lock you into a story before all the facts are known. Let your attorney handle all communications.
- The Quick Settlement Mirage: An early settlement offer can seem tempting, especially when bills are arriving daily. Keep in mind this is almost always made before the full extent of your injuries is clear. Some injuries don’t surface for weeks. Accepting an early offer is like locking a door forever—you give up your right to any future compensation for this accident, even if your condition gets worse.
- Questioning Your Injuries: The adjuster will likely scrutinize your medical records, looking for any pre-existing condition they can blame for your pain. Their goal is to argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim or weren’t caused by the crash.
How to Protect Your Claim Right Now
While we manage the legal work, you should take the following steps:
- Follow Your Doctor’s Orders: Go to every appointment, attend every therapy session, and take your medication. This not only helps you heal but also creates an undeniable official record of your injuries and the treatment they require.
- Keep a Simple Journal: Each day, jot down a few notes about your pain level on a 1-10 scale. Describe difficulties with daily tasks—getting dressed, sleeping through the night, or moments of anxiety. These personal entries are robust evidence of your non-economic damages.
- Create One File for Everything: Use a folder or a box to store all accident-related documents: medical bills, pharmacy receipts, letters from insurers, and mileage logs for trips to the doctor.
- Stay Off Social Media: The insurance company is watching. A single photo of you smiling at a family event could be twisted out of context and used as “proof” that you aren’t really suffering. The safest path is to avoid posting anything until your case is resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coral Springs Motorcycle Accidents
What happens if the at-fault driver has no insurance?
This is a common and scary situation in Florida. If the driver is uninsured or underinsured, your path to recovery is through your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This is optional coverage on your own policy, designed for this exact scenario. We strongly advise all riders to carry as much UM/UIM coverage as they can afford. If you have this coverage, we will help you file a claim with your own insurance company.
Is the damage to my bike and gear part of the claim?
Yes. Your claim includes a property damage component separate from your injury claim. We will pursue compensation for the full cost to repair your motorcycle. If it’s a total loss, you are entitled to its fair market value at the time of the crash. This also covers damaged riding gear, including your helmet, jacket, and boots.
I wasn’t wearing a helmet. Do I still have a case?
Yes, you still have a case. Under Florida Statute 316.211, riders over 21 are not required to wear a helmet if they have at least $10,000 in medical benefits coverage. However, the insurance company will absolutely use your lack of a helmet to argue that you are partially at fault for any head injuries, which could reduce your compensation for that specific injury under the comparative fault rule. It does not, however, prevent you from recovering damages for other injuries, like broken bones or road rash.
How long will my motorcycle accident case take?
There is no set timeline. A simple case with clear fault might settle in a few months. A case with severe injuries or a dispute over fault could take a year or longer, especially if a lawsuit is needed. Our priority is a full and fair settlement, not a fast one, waiting until you have reached what doctors call “maximum medical improvement.” This ensures we know the full scope of your future needs.
What if the police report says I was at fault?
A police report is an officer’s initial assessment at a chaotic scene; it is not the final word. These reports frequently contain errors or are based on biased witness statements. We conduct our own investigation, which might involve re-interviewing witnesses, analyzing physical evidence, and finding security camera footage to build an accurate picture of what really happened.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Florida?
Due to a recent change in the law, you now have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is a strict deadline. If you miss it, you almost always lose your right to seek compensation forever.
Let Us Handle the Details So You Can Focus on Your Recovery
The road back from a serious motorcycle accident is hard enough. You shouldn’t also have to battle an insurance company trained to deny, delay, and underpay. You don’t have to do this alone.
Let a dedicated Coral Springs motorcycle accident lawyer take that weight off your shoulders. We will deal with the adjusters, the paperwork, and the legal deadlines so you can put all your energy into getting better. Contact the Law Firm of Cindy Goldstein today for a free, confidential consultation to learn how we can help.
Call us at (954) 346-5420 or reach out through our website. There is no cost and no obligation.