Tampa Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Due to its mild weather, surplus of tourist attractions, and its popularity as an event location, Tampa as well as the entire state of Florida have become a haven for motorcycle enthusiasts. Florida has more registered motorcycles per state than all other states in the nation except California. While Florida boasts a high number of registered motorcycles, this unfortunately also means more accidents, resulting in injuries or fatalities for riders and passengers alike.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident or lost a loved one to someone else’s negligence, navigating the claims process can be overwhelming. Understanding the laws and fighting for compensation can feel daunting, but you don’t have to face it alone.

At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our motorcycle accident lawyers specialize in helping motorbike accident victims in Tampa and over all Florida. Since 1997, we’ve supported over 32,000 individuals through the complex world of personal injury claims. Our personal injury firm is dedicated to ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve. Our Tampa motorcycle accident attorneys understand the tactics insurance companies use to discount or deny claims, and we’re committed to using our skills and resources to help you overcome these challenges and restore your life.

Tampa Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to recent data from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were 585 motorcycle crashes in Tampa in 2023, resulting in 40 fatalities. Additionally, the Center for Urban Transportation reports that Florida experienced a total of 296 motorcycle-related fatalities overall in Florida in 2023.

Over the past decade, Florida has seen a staggering 50 percent increase in motorcycle injuries and a nearly 90 percent rise in fatalities, according to Ride Smart Florida. This alarming trend has occurred even as injuries and fatalities from other types of traffic incidents have decreased. In recent years, motorcycle fatalities have accounted for a significant percentage of all traffic deaths in the state.

Several factors contribute to these rising statistics, including an aging population of motorcyclists, inadequate helmet use, alcohol involvement, speeding, operator inexperience, and a disregard for traffic laws. Additionally, hazardous driving behaviors play a significant role in the increasing number of accidents, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and safety measures among riders and drivers alike.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Tampa

There are many reasons that a motorcycle accident can occur on Tampa’s roads. Below are some of the most common examples. Call Steinger, Greene & Feiner at (813) 553-5352 or contact us online to schedule your free, confidential, no obligation consultation with a Tampa personal injury attorney today or visit us at our offices: 5440 Mariner St, Unit 211, Tampa, FL 33609.

Drunk Driving

Alcohol is a huge factor in many deadly motorcycle accidents. According to NHTSA statistics, 34% of Florida motorcycle riders in fatal accidents had a BAC of 0.01% or greater. Twenty-eight percent had a 0.08 or greater BAC, meaning they were legally over the limit, and a shocking 16% were 0.15% or greater, which is nearly twice the legal limit.

Other drivers on the road can also cause accidents with motorcycles while under the influence. In Hillsborough County, for instance, 510 crashes in 2018 involved alcohol use, leading to 295 injuries and 19 deaths.

Speeding

In serious motorcycle accidents, speeding is a major factor for motorcycles and four-wheeled vehicle drivers alike. Drivers sharing the road with motorcycles may have difficulty maneuvering within their lane, or they may not be able to spot the motorcycle in time to react to an impending collision. Motorcycle operators have to be extremely careful with speed since one wrong move or rough patch of road can lead to total loss of control.

Lane Splitting

Lane splitting occurs when two vehicles share the same lane on a highway or major road. Whether initiated by the motorcyclist or another driver, lane splitting is always dangerous. Vehicles may enter the same lane as a motorcycle in an effort to pass or reach a turning lane. Motorcyclists can also tend to lane split as they zip through slower-moving traffic.

Cars Turning Left into the Path of the Motorcycle

One of the most common car accident scenarios for motorcyclists is that a vehicle turning left fails to yield. This leads to the vehicle crossing into the path of the oncoming motorcyclist and causing a “T-bone” intersection, where the front of the motorcycle collides with the passenger side of the car or truck. These accidents happen whenever other vehicles fail to notice a motorcycle or misjudge the amount of time needed to safely cross through the opposing lane.

Hitting Gravel or Loose Debris in a Turn

Since motorcycle operators have to lean to turn, encountering any sort of slipping hazard can cause them to quickly lose grip on either tire. Loose debris can be the unavoidable result of a sudden downpour of rain, but other times the debris is caused by a negligent property owner, construction company, or other party.

Sideswiped by Vehicles Entering the Lane

Some vehicle drivers will fail to check their blind spot or fail to notice motorcycles riding around them before they change lanes. These sudden maneuvers often catch the motorcyclist off guard, leaving them no options for safely avoiding a collision.

Rear-Ended

Motorcycles often get rear-ended by vehicles traveling too fast to stop in time, especially at stoplights or in sudden traffic jams on the highways. These accidents can cause severe injuries to the motorcycle rider.

Call Steinger, Greene & Feiner at (813) 553-5352 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with a Tampa personal injury attorney today or visit us at our offices: 5440 Mariner St, Unit 211, Tampa, FL 33609.

Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcyclists remain at a much higher risk for injury or death while on the road than other motorists due to the fact that they have little bodily protection. Motorcycle accident studies have shown that while other motorists face a 20 percent chance of injury or death in an accident, a motorcycle rider’s risk of injury or death is as high as 80 percent. The legislation emphasizes the importance of helmet use, as studies reveal that helmets can reduce the risk of head injuries by as much as 69% though many choose not to wear helmets, exposing themselves to greater risks.

Motorcycle accidents in Tampa often lead to serious injuries that can dramatically alter your life. If you find yourself in such a situation, it’s important to be aware of the most common injuries that riders like you face:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: These can occur due to the lack of protective barriers that motorcycles provide. Wearing a helmet is crucial; studies show that helmets can reduce the risk of head injuries by as much as 69%.
• Fractures: You may suffer from broken limbs, ribs, or collarbones due to the impact of a collision, which can significantly affect your mobility and daily activities.
• Road Rash: This painful skin abrasion happens when you slide across the pavement, often leading to infections and long-lasting scars.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Such injuries can have severe consequences, potentially resulting in paralysis and requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

If you find yourself injured, documenting your injuries and seeking medical attention immediately is vital. This documentation not only aids in your recovery but also strengthens any potential claims for damages. By understanding your rights and taking safety measures seriously, you can better protect yourself and navigate the challenges that come with riding in Tampa.

Types of Compensation You Can Seek After Your Accident

There are a few forms of compensation you can claim to repay all of your motorcycle accident losses. These losses are called damages in legal proceedings.

Financial damages that you can document with a dollars-and-cents amount are referred to as special damages. Common special damages available after a motorcycle accident in Tampa include:

• Hospital bills
• Treatment expenses, past and future
• Lost wages
• Vehicle repairs
• Personal property replacement
• Loss of future income earning potential

Non-financial damages that cannot normally be quantified in a dollar amount are called general damages. Our Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer can help you document these damages, justify a requested amount using past cases, and seek the fullest extent of compensation available.

Common motorcycle accident general damages include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of comfort of loved ones
• Permanent scarring, disfigurement, or disability

Navigating Motorcycle Accident Laws in Tampa, Florida

As a motorcycle accident victim in Tampa, it’s essential to grasp the laws and regulations that govern your situation. Here are some key points to consider:

No-Fault Insurance System

Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system, meaning your own insurance will cover certain medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident. This system simplifies initial accident claim but can complicate matters if your injuries are severe, as you may then pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for additional damages.

Helmet Law

Florida’s helmet law permits riders aged 21 and over to forgo a helmet if they carry at least $10,000 in medical insurance. While this law aims to provide flexibility, it also places you at greater risk for serious head injuries if you choose not to wear a helmet.

Insurance Requirements

Florida mandates that all motorcyclists carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. While this is often set at $10,000 for personal injury protection (PIP), it’s advisable to consider additional coverage for better protection.

An experienced attorney can help you interpret these legal intricacies and guide you through the motorcycle accident claim process, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.

Proving Negligence in Your Motorcycle Accident Case

If you’ve experienced a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s actions, proving negligence is crucial for securing the compensation you deserve. To establish negligence, you’ll need to demonstrate four key elements:

1. Duty of Care: The at-fault party had a responsibility to operate their vehicle safely and follow traffic laws. This obligation extends to all road users, including motorcyclists like you.
2. Breach of Duty: Show that the driver failed to uphold this duty. Whether they were speeding, driving under the influence, or engaging in reckless behavior, their actions must clearly deviate from what a reasonable driver would do in similar circumstances.
3. Causation: You must connect the breach of duty directly to your injuries. This means proving that the driver’s negligence directly caused your accident and resulting harm.
4. Damages: Document the losses you’ve suffered due to the accident, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. These damages must be quantifiable and related to the negligent act.

Our experienced motorcycle crash lawyers can play a vital role in building your injury case, gathering evidence, and negotiating with insurance companies.

Recovering Compensation Even if You’re Partially at Fault for Your Motorcycle Accident

If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident and worry that you contributed to it, you can still recover compensation under Florida’s comparative negligence laws. As long as you are not more than 50% at fault, you can pursue damages.

For example, if you were speeding slightly but another driver failed to yield, you could receive compensation for your injuries. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re found to be 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $80,000.

Dealing with these complexities can be challenging while recovering from injuries.

How Much Can Steinger, Greene & Feiner Get You?

In order to obtain full and fair compensation for your injuries and losses resulting from a motorcycle accident, you will have to prove the other party’s negligence. At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we will work vigorously to investigate and gather all of the necessary evidence to substantiate your claim or lawsuit seeking damages for your medical expenses, lost income, emotional distress, pain and suffering, or for wrongful death.

Our law firm offers a free consultation to help you better understand your Tampa motorcycle accident case as well as information on how we can help you pursue a personal injury claim. Contact us to schedule your FREE case evaluation today: (813) 553-5352. Our Tampa motorcycle accident lawyers fight relentlessly for your settlement and, when necessary, aren’t afraid to take a case in front of a judge and jury.

Motorcycle Accidents FAQs