Motorcycle accidents are extremely dangerous because riders are not protected in an enclosure or secured by a seatbelt or airbag. Instead, they are exposed to the full brunt of the accident’s impact.
If you’ve been the victim of a motorcycle-related accident, our team of experienced personal injury lawyers are ready to fight aggressively to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Send us an online message or call today for a free consultation with our Pensacola motorcycle accident lawyer.
Why Choose Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon for Your Pensacola Motorcycle Accident Case
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, the thought of navigating legal complexities can feel overwhelming. At Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, we’re here to lighten that burden and provide the skilled, compassionate legal support you need during a difficult time. With over a century of legal service, our team has built a reputation for excellence in advocating for individuals just like you. We are deeply committed to protecting your rights and seeking the justice you deserve.
Since 1913, our firm’s guiding principles have been rooted in integrity, dedication, and an unwavering focus on our clients. We understand the challenges motorcyclists face on the road—and in the courtroom. That’s why we work tirelessly to ensure your voice is heard and your case is handled with care. Our team includes board-certified specialists through The Florida Bar, which means some of our attorneys have achieved the highest level of knowledge in their respective fields. You can trust that you’re receiving guidance from experienced professionals at the top of their game.
We recognize that every case is unique, and changing circumstances require creative methods to achieve results. Whether through negotiations, mediation, or, when necessary, a trial, we employ tailored strategies to meet the demands of your case. Our attorneys don’t shy away from taking on challenging claims, even when up against powerful insurance companies.
Above all, we take pride in building strong client relationships.
When you work with Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, you are not just another case—you are a valued individual who deserves respect, understanding, and effective legal representation. Trust us to fight for the compensation you need to move forward so you can focus on what truly matters—your recovery. Reach out to our team today for a free consultation, and take the first step toward justice.
We Fight for Injured Motorcycle Riders
No matter where you are driving in the state, you’re bound to find numerous motorcyclists on the road. Florida has one of the largest numbers of registered motorcycle riders in the country.
Sadly, there is a direct correlation between this and the number of motorcycle injury accidents and fatalities. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that motorcycle accidents are 28 times more likely to end with a fatality versus accidents with other types of vehicles.
Part of this can be attributed to vehicle drivers not seeing the motorcycle on the road. Perhaps it’s because they aren’t looking, while other times, the motorcycle rider may be hard to spot as he or she is in the car’s blind spot. Drivers are typically looking for another vehicle, not necessarily a motorcycle.
It doesn’t matter what the reason is; all Florida drivers have a duty to check for something that may be in their blind spot before pulling onto a roadway or changing lanes. Motorcycle riders aren’t exempt from the law, either. A motorcycle rider also has the duty to operate his or her motorcycle in accordance with applicable laws and always be on the lookout for hazards. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident involving a motorcycle due to someone else’s negligence, it’s important to speak with a motorcycle accident attorney in Pensacola, Florida, as soon as possible.
At Emmanuel Shepard & Condon, we have years of experience handling motorcycle injury claims. Our team of motorcycle accident attorneys has represented countless motorcycle riders who sustained serious injuries in collisions caused by other drivers’ negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions. We are here to protect your rights, so it’s important to involve us in the case as soon as possible.
Do I Have a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, you might wonder if you have a legal claim to pursue compensation. Most personal injury cases, including motorcycle accidents, are based on the concept of negligence. Negligence occurs when someone fails to act with the reasonable care expected in a given situation, causing harm to another person. Understanding whether negligence played a role in your accident is key to determining if you have a claim.
To establish negligence in a motorcycle accident lawsuit, four critical elements must be proven:
Duty of Care – The other party owed you a duty of care, meaning they had a legal responsibility to act safely and avoid causing harm. For example, all drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and stay alert on the road.
Breach of Duty – The other party violated this duty of care through reckless or careless actions, such as speeding, texting while driving, or failing to yield.
Causation – This breach directly caused the accident. You must show that the other party’s actions or lack of action led to your injuries.
Damages – You suffered actual harm because of the accident, such as medical bills, lost income, pain, or emotional distress.
Proving these elements can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, we’re here to help. Our experienced attorneys will carefully investigate your case, gather evidence, and work with accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and other experts to build a compelling claim. We’ll guide you through each step of the process with compassion, answering your questions and ensuring your voice is heard.
If you suspect someone’s negligence caused your motorcycle accident, don’t wait to take action. Contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney from our team today for a free consultation. We’ll walk you through your options and help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Pensacola Motorcycle Accidents
While it’s certainly possible for a motorcyclist to be in an accident due to their own negligence, many accidents are caused by drivers in other vehicles or trucks. Some of the main causes of motorcycle wrecks include:
Distracted Drivers
Motorcycle riders aren’t the only ones at risk from distracted drivers. This is one of the leading causes of accidents across the nation. Motorcycles are hard enough to spot on the road as is, but if you are more distracted by something else going on, the risk of striking a motorcycle rises. Some drivers are distracted by text messages, changing the radio station, reading the GPS, eating, and more.
Traffic Offenses
Even drivers who are not distracted can disobey traffic laws. This can include driving at a speed higher than the posted speed limit, failure to stop at a red light or stop sign, improper lane changes, not yielding the right of way, driving too fast for conditions, etc. When drivers fail to obey traffic laws, they put others at risk, including motorcycle riders.
Some people are aggressive drivers by nature, and some don’t like motorcycle riders to begin with. This behavior may translate into the aggressive driver taking his or her frustrations out on the motorcyclist. In some cases, the accident is not necessarily the fault of another driver. If you are riding your motorcycle and you crash due to the failure of a part on your bike, you may have a product liability claim. This would be a claim presented against the manufacturer of the part and maybe even the manufacturer of the motorcycle. When important parts fail because they are defective, the motorcycle rider can easily lose control and be involved in a serious collision.
Another thing that motorcycle riders have to watch out for is road hazards. Motorcycles handle differently than other vehicles. Hitting or driving over something like a large pothole could cause them to lose control of their bike.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Injuries in motorcycle accidents tend to be severe because the rider has little protection compared to someone riding in a vehicle wearing a seatbelt. Florida is one state where helmets are not required, and therefore, some riders choose not to wear one. It’s important to understand that even if you are wearing a helmet, there is still a risk of sustaining serious injuries. Some common injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents can include:
Neck, back, or knee injuries
Dislocated bones
Sprains and other soft tissue injuries
Bone fractures, including collarbone, ribs, jaw, nose, leg, arm, hand, and wrist
Many injuries require emergency medical treatment, and it’s likely you will be transported from the scene to a hospital via ambulance. It’s not uncommon for victims to need emergency surgery in order to stabilize them. They may require additional hospitalization, physical therapy, retraining at work, and more.
Motorcycle accidents can wreak havoc on all aspects of a person’s life. This is why it’s important you understand your rights if the accident was not your fault. Contact our Pensacola motorcycle accident attorneys today for assistance.
Compensation Available After a Pensacola Motorcycle Accident
Florida motorcycle accident victims have a right to pursue reimbursement of damages from the at-fault party in a motorcycle collision. The compensation that is available is like other types of personal injury claims. Damages can be broken down into several main categories:
Medical treatment expenses, including expected treatment in the future
Loss of earnings, including future wages if you are on temporary or permanent disability
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Loss of consortium or loss of companionship claim
Punitive damages (only applicable in limited scenarios)
Determining the right amount of compensation takes a thorough understanding of the law and careful consideration of all aspects of your accident. Unfortunately, insurance companies often attempt to downplay the extent of victims’ losses. That’s why having a skilled lawyer on your side is so important.
At Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, our experienced attorneys will build a strong case on your behalf. We will evaluate the full scope of your damages and negotiate tirelessly to ensure no detail is overlooked in our pursuit of maximum compensation in your case.
Who May Be Held Liable in a Motorcycle Accident Case?
Motorcycle accidents can result in devastating injuries and life-altering consequences. If you’ve been injured, one of the most important steps in seeking justice and compensation is determining who is responsible for the crash. At Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, our goal is to help you uncover the truth, hold the right parties accountable, and secure the support you need to rebuild your life.
Liability in a motorcycle accident is not always straightforward. Depending on the circumstances, several parties could be held responsible:
Other Drivers
Often, crashes are caused by other motorists who fail to see motorcyclists or act negligently. Speeding, distracted driving, failing to yield, or driving under the influence can all lead to serious accidents, putting the majority of the blame on these drivers.
Manufacturers
If your accident was caused by a mechanical failure or defect—for example, faulty brakes or tires—the manufacturer of the motorcycle or specific parts may be held liable for putting dangerous products on the market.
Government Entities
Poorly maintained roads, lack of proper signage, or hazardous roadway conditions can contribute to accidents. When this is the case, the agency responsible for maintaining the roads may bear responsibility.
Identifying liability can be complex, but you don’t have to face this challenge alone. Our attorneys at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon have extensive experience investigating motorcycle accidents. We work closely with accident reconstruction experts, review every detail of the crash, and gather the evidence needed to hold the right parties accountable.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
About 75% of motorcycle accidents occur when another vehicle and a motorcycle collide. In one year alone, 4,810 motorcycle accidents resulted in fatalities or wrongful death, and more than 88,000 motorcycle accidents resulted in injuries. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists represented 12.5% of all traffic fatalities, and fatality rates have increased every year for the past nine years.
Often it is difficult to distinguish who is at fault in these types of collisions. Florida motorcycle accidents often involve unique provisions and several different auto insurance policies. For these reasons, it’s important for anyone involved to get good legal representation from an experienced Pensacola, Florida motorcycle crash lawyer to make sure their rights are protected.
While some Florida motorcycle accident attorneys simply pursue the insurance company, our team works to ensure that you receive all the money you may be entitled to, including Social Security Disability.
Our dedicated motorcycle accident lawyers have extensive experience handling claims like yours. Here’s how we can help:
Provide Knowledgeable Legal Guidance – We’ll explain your rights, answer your questions, and guide you through each stage of the legal process, so you can focus on your recovery.
Thoroughly Investigate Your Case – Our team will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and work with experts to build a strong claim on your behalf.
Negotiate with Insurance Companies – We understand the tactics insurance companies use to minimize payouts. We’ll stand up to them and negotiate aggressively to ensure you receive fair compensation.
Estimate the Full Value of Your Claim – We’ll consider all potential damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, long-term care, and pain and suffering, to ensure nothing is overlooked.
Represent You in Court – If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial and present a compelling argument to a judge or jury.
For a free motorcycle accident injury consultation, please call. If you prefer, you may complete the requested information on our contact form. When you trust us with your case, we commit to serving you with compassion, respect, and relentless dedication.
