Other vehicle accidents

Bike’s, golf carts, boats, and other vehicle accidents

Car accidents are most common, however there are many types of vehicles which can be involved in accidents and it remains just as important to seek the counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney to guide you through the process of seeking compensation for your losses.

 

I was injured in a bicycle accident

Cycling is very popular in Florida, as are accidents involving bicycles. Being struck by a vehicle is the most common type of accident that occurs, and these can result in serious and sometimes fatal injuries because the cycler unlike the vehicle passengers is exposed with no real protection from the impact.

Many cyclists are unaware that similar to a car accident, they can claim damages under their auto insurance policy or under the vehicle driver’s. Because bikes are considered vehicles in Florida, if you have car insurance on your automobile, personal injury protection will provide coverage. You may also have a claim under the responsible driver’s auto insurance policy to recover damages. These claims are complex as they will likely include disputes over fault. With bicycles being considered vehicles, they are also required to follow the rules of the road. Vehicle drivers and their insurance companies often claim the cyclist failed to yield, was not in a bicycle lane, made a sudden maneuver, or made another error in order to reduce liability. It is important to seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney immediately to pursue your claims for compensation.

 

I was injured in a motorcycle accident

Motorcycle accidents often result in significant losses and overwhelming expenses to victims and their families. Motorcyclists face serious risks that are different from other vehicles on the road, being smaller than other vehicles and without crash protection, riders are vulnerable to serious injuries and fatalities. If you have been in a motorcycle accident, you need an experienced personal injury attorney to work on your claim. Insurance companies often offer victims unreasonably low settlements or deny legitimate claims. The attorneys of Oldham & Delcamp are used to dealing with insurance adjusters and will work to ensure you receive adequate compensation for your injuries.

 

 

 

Common injuries from motorcycle accidents include:

• Leg injuries
• Head and neck injuries
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Bone fractures
• Soft tissue injuries

Many riders think that following a crash they can “shake it off” rather than seek medical attention. It is important to seek medical attention immediately after the incident to find out what kind of injuries you have, get treatment early, and learn what long term care is needed. In addition, Florida law mandates that if an accident victim does not seek medical treatment within fourteen days following the accident, they have forfeited their personal injury protection coverage. Claims on your own insurance policy can be limited if you fail to seek medical care quickly.      

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages (and future lost income), pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and other damages. Most of these claims can be handled on a contingency fee basis, even if your case proceeds to trial, so you would not pay unless a financial recovery is made on your behalf.

 

I was injured in an aviation accident

One of the most dangerous transportation accidents to be involved in is an aviation accident. These often result in serious injuries and fatalities, causing millions in property damage. If you or a loved one have been injured in a place accident, you should seek the counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney to manage the claim for your losses.

Aviation accidents are usually caused by pilot error, improper maintenance of the aircraft, defective aircrafts or parts. Sometimes a combination of facts contribute to the crash.

Although commercial airline travel is generally safe and accidents are rare, personal flights are usually more hazardous. Many recreational pilots fly infrequently and may not have the same skills as a commercial pilot who travels daily. More challenging is that small plane pilots who are involved in accidents are usually a family member or friend of the victim. Here, it is important to remember that commercial pilots error means making a claim against their employer while a recreational pilots error is usually a claim against their insurance company. Neither claim, in most cases, will result in seeking damages against the pilot personally.

If the accident you were in was caused by mechanical difficulties on the aircraft, you may have a products liability claim against the designer of the aircraft or the manufacturer of its parts. Some mechanical difficulties can be the result of maintenance issues. All owners of aircraft, including airline or charter companies, as well as pilots, have the responsibility before takeoff, to inspect the plane and ensure it is in flying condition. The failure to do so is negligence on their behalf.

Your lawyer will investigate to determine the actual cause of the accident you were involved in and determine who is liable. These investigations take time and resources to complete, some will lead to satisfactory settlements with the insurer and others may require proceeding to trial to recover.

Compensation may include: medical bills, lost wages, cost of property damage, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. If you have lost a loved one in an aviation accident, you may be able to recover funeral expenses, loss of society, companionship, support, and consortium.

If you have been involved in an aviation accident, you need and experienced and dedicated lawyer to handle your claim. The attorneys of Oldham & Delcamp will work diligently to ensure you can receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

 

I was injured in a boating accident

Florida is a busy stay for recreational boating, which makes up a large share of the tourist industry. The large number of watercraft in use, mostly year-round, means the state also has a lot of boating accidents. Also, many Florida boaters are not licensed or trained in boating safety which means the crashes can be more severe. Specific laws apply to these accidents which make them different from other types, so it is essential to have an experienced accident attorney review your case.

Any accident which occurs on a public waterway falls under federal admiralty jurisdiction, so the cases sometimes must be brought in federal court where a separate set of standards procedures apply.

 

 

Common boating accidents:

• Collisions with other vessels or fixes objects
• Flooding
• Falls overboard
• Grounding or striking underwater objects
• Fuel fires and explosions
• Falls on the boat
• Capsizing
• Wake damage
• Sinking

Boats are not the only types of vehicles on water that can have accidents, jet skis too can cause substantial damage if not used properly and their operators can be subject to a negligence claim for those damages. Liability for a watercraft or boating accident rests with those who operate a boat negligently and may include someone in the boat who caused the accident. This liability can occur even without a collision, for example of a boater creates a wake that causes another vessel to capsize or be damaged.

A variety of injuries can be sustained by the victims in a boating accident due to the different types of accidents which may occur.

Commonly seen are:

• Slip and falls
• Drowning and lung infections
• Burns
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Bone fractures and soft tissue injuries
• Spinal injuries

In a boating accident, unlike a car accident, there may not be insurance coverage because liability insurance is not required for boats. If this coverage is not available, your only option might be to seek compensation from the negligent party directly, including the owner or rental company if you were on a charter. An experienced personal injury attorney will conduct research to find out who is liable and how to seek damages.

Compensation may include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and future lost earnings, pain and suffering, and property damage.

If you were injured in a boating accident, you should seek the counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney to evaluate your claim and seek compensation for your losses.

 

I was injured in an ATV accident

The use of all-terrain vehicles, quads, and four wheelers is common in Florida where there are many ideal locations for riding and favorable weather for outdoor activity. However, that also means injuries to the persons using them are common. ATV rollovers, collisions, and other accidents where victims are thrown from or crushed by the vehicle can lead to severe or fatal injuries.

Common injuries include head, neck and spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, fractured bones, paralysis, amputations, internal organ damage, and soft issue injuries. If you have suffered injuries following an ATV accident, you should seek the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney to handle your claim.

ATV’s are inherently unstable due to their construction, they are often involved in accidents as a result of:

• Rollovers and flips
• Collisions
• Poor control on paved surfaces
• Child drivers
• User’s alcohol or drug consumption
• Faulty vehicle design
• User inexperience

When an ATV accident occurs due to the negligence of another person or the manufacturer of the vehicle, that person or entity may be legally responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If the ATV accident was caused by a defective vehicle, the manufacturer or seller may be liable. Property owners of a trail or off roading location can be responsible for poor terrain and hazardous conditions causing a crash like holes, inclines, and pits. Drivers can be liable to passengers for their injuries if they drive negligently. Owners of the ATV may be liable for allowing someone to operate a poorly maintained vehicle or allowing an inexperienced person to drive.

If the vehicle is covered under an insurance policy either on the vehicle itself, the driver, or the property where the accident occurred your attorney will make a claim under that policy. If not, your attorney will conduct research to find who is liable that can be pursued directly.    

If you have been involved in an ATV accident, call us to discuss your claim. Dealing with insurance companies and determining who is liable are complex matters that require the expertise of an experienced accident attorney. 

 

My child was injured in a school bus accident

Most people are glad to hear that school buses carrying children are common carriers which means they owe a heightened duty of care to protect their passengers. Bus drivers must drive and operate their vehicles with caution and follow rules and regulations enacted for the protection of the children. Liability applies when children are onboard but also where the driver has a duty to ensure the children’s safety such as during pick up and drop off.

 

The school entity, bus owner, and driver can be liable for a child’s injuries if they fail to

• Operate the bus with due care
• Activate safety measures while students board and leave
• Verify traffic stopped before allowing a child to exit
• Monitor the child’s safe crossing

The claims process can be complex where it involves a claim against a government entity, as special rules apply. There may also be different methods of recovery depending on who was at fault.

The combination of a lack of safety precautions on buses and children’s susceptibility to certain injuries means seeking medical care immediately is essential. Common injuries include brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, whiplash, burns, bone fractures, lacerations, and soft tissue injuries. It may not be immediately apparent that your child has suffered an injury, as some of these are invisible or symptoms appear later. An evaluation from a medical provider is needed to determine if there are injuries and how to care for them. Some of the most severe injuries require lifetime care, which is a high cost for a young child.

The persons or entities liable for your child’s injuries are responsible for past and future medical expenses, lost wages (common with teenage victims), pain and suffering, and mental anguish.   

 

I was injured in a golf cart accident

Golf carts are visible everywhere in Florida and used for a variety of purposes. Some are used on golf courses while others are used on school campuses, hospitals, airports, sports events, resorts and residential communities. With this increasingly being turned to as a mode of transportation, accidents are rising as well. Some drivers and passengers do not consider that golf carts are vehicles which can be involved in collisions just like cars, often more dangerous collisions due to the lack of safety devices. Golf carts are also largely unregulated which means users may be tempted to drive in excess of speed designs, fail to pay attention to traffic devices, or not carry insurance.

Many golf cart accidents in Florida involve children and the elderly, two vulnerable populations. Common causes of accidents include:

• Overcrowding, having too many passengers
• Failure to keep arms and legs inside
• Sharp turns
• Sudden reversal while going downhill
• Driving on poor terrain
• Driver distractions
• Driving under the influence
• Young or inexperienced drivers

Even a minor accident in a golf cart due to the lack of safety devices may cause a passenger to be ejected or collide with an object. Such collisions can lead to fractures, concussions, lacerations, neck and back injuries. In worse accidents, traumatic brain injuries, paralysis and death may occur. Golf carts are not only dangerous to those driving them but also to cyclists and pedestrians on the road who can be involved in the incident.

The driver of a golf cart assumes a responsibility they will drive responsibly, as with the driver of any other vehicle. If the driver operates it in an unsafe manner, they can be liable for damages caused. Along with the driver, the clubs or the owner of a golf cart may be responsible for allowing a negligent driver to use the cart or for acts that occur on their property. In some cases, an investigation is necessary to find out how many parties may be liable for the accident. 

If you or a loved one have been involved in a golf cart accident that resulted in an injury, you should seek the counsel of the experienced personal injury attorneys of Oldham & Delcamp to recover damages. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.