Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Tampa, FL

Trusted Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Fighting for Maximum Compensation

Many Tampa motorcyclists enjoy the freedom of the open road or the affordability of riding their motorcycle through the area’s traffic congestion. Still, stretches of I-75 in Hillsborough County near Brandon and Riverview are notorious for heavy semi traffic, which creates dangerous blind spots for motorcycle riders. I-4, known for excessive speeds and stop-and-go traffic, is another common concern for riders.

Regardless of where you may have been injured in your motorcycle accident, you most likely have suffered severe injuries, leaving you dealing with lost wages and unexpected medical bills. Durham Law Group is a personal injury law firm committed to helping motorcycle accident injury victims seek compensation for their injuries. Our Tampa motorcycle accident lawyers are familiar with the strategies insurance companies use to try to blame injury victims to protect their bottom line.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another person’s negligence, contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation. We will gladly evaluate your case and determine what legal options best suit your needs.

Leading Factors Behind Tampa Motorcycle Accidents

Several factors make motorcyclists more vulnerable to traffic accidents. Motorcycle accidents happen for many reasons, but some of the most dangerous factors include:

Left-Turn Collisions at Intersections

Left-turn collisions at intersections are among the most commonly reported and dangerous accidents a motorcyclist can be involved in. Left-turn collisions usually occur when a passenger vehicle attempts to turn left at an intersection and fails to yield to an oncoming motorcycle. These types of accidents often result in multi-vehicle collisions that can leave the rider with serious injuries. Most left-turn accidents occur because the driver of the passenger vehicle has misjudged the motorcycle’s distance and speed, or they simply do not see the rider coming.

Distracted Driving

Tampa is well-known for its heavy traffic, which on any given day includes large commercial vehicles, commuters, and tourists. Many drivers are easily distracted by their cellphones, GPS, or passengers and drift into other lanes, striking motorcyclists, who are less visible than larger passenger vehicles.

Improper Lane Changes and Blind Spot Crashes

Tampa has its fair share of multi-lane highways, such as I-275 and the Selmon Expressway, where drivers frequently engage in aggressive lane changing. In too many instances, a driver switches or merges lanes directly into the path of a motorcyclist because they failed to check their blind spot.

Drunk or Impaired Driving

Alcohol or drugs can severely impair a driver’s reaction time and depth perception, making it challenging for them to respond to a nearby motorcyclist.

Other Common Factors that Contribute to Motorcycle Accidents

Some of the other leading causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Tailgating and rear-end crashes
• Drivers opening a car door in front of unsuspecting motorcyclists
• Adverse weather or road conditions
• Manufacturer defects

No matter what factors led to your being injured, the best advice is to contact a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer who can professionally evaluate your case.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in the Tampa Area

Motorcycle riders involved in collisions lack the same safety features as car accident victims. Despite wearing helmets and protective equipment, riders may still experience serious or life-altering injuries after a motorcycle crash.

Some of the most frequently reported motorcycle crash injuries include:

• Injuries to legs, knees, and feet: The impact of a motorcyclist hitting the asphalt can impact a rider’s lower extremities. Many riders require extensive surgery to repair their calf and shinbones or physical therapy to regain the use of their lower limbs.
• Facial and dental trauma: Even if the rider is wearing a helmet, a side impact accident can leave a rider with severe facial fractures to the nose or jaw or significant dental damage. Facial and dental injuries often require extensive plastic or dental surgery.
• Biker’s arm and upper extremity injuries: Many bikers land on their arms, they have outstretched to protect themselves, when involved in an accident. This type of scenario can stretch or tear the nerve network that carries signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand, leading to paralysis, chronic pain, or numbness. Other upper extremity injuries include fractured wrists or clavicles.

Catastrophic Injuries

In Florida, a catastrophic injury is defined as a sudden and permanent impairment that leaves the victim with a severe mental or physical disability, loss of major bodily function, or disfigurement.

One of the most common catastrophic injuries and fatalities is brain and head injuries. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can range from mild concussions to life-altering damage. Other catastrophic injuries include spinal cord injuries and amputations.

Wrongful Death

Motorcycle accidents often result in riders suffering fatal injuries. If you have lost your loved one due to someone else’s negligent behavior, you should seek legal representation immediately. Florida has strict laws regarding who can file claims and who is eligible to recover compensation.

The Benefits of Having a Personal Injury Lawyer Speak With Insurance Adjusters

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you need time to focus on your recovery. One of the most significant benefits of hiring a lawyer is allowing them to communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.

Contrary to what is commonly shown in advertising, insurance companies are typically more concerned with protecting their profitability than with the well-being of claimants. Insurance companies use a variety of tactics to deny or minimize claims.

Quick Settlements

Depending on the facts of the case, an insurance adjuster may reach out to you shortly after you file a personal injury claim, offering you a quick settlement. Insurance companies realize that motorcycle accident victims often suffer severe injuries that prevent them from returning to work. Adjusters know that many motorcycle accident victims are already experiencing a financial crisis. The prospect of a quick settlement may seem tempting, but it will most likely not take into account your future medical expenses and pain-and-suffering damages.

You should never agree to any type of settlement without first consulting a knowledgeable Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer. Once you sign the Release of Claims form, you legally acknowledge that you have accepted a settlement in exchange for giving up your right to pursue further legal action or compensation. Even if other injuries manifest themselves or you need further treatment, you cannot come back and pursue compensation.

Recorded Statements

Another common tactic used by insurance companies and their representatives is to ask injury victims to provide recorded statements. Adjusters will often tell injury victims that recorded statements are meant to provide details of how the accident occurred.

Although insurance adjusters may seem to present themselves as supportive of your case, they are trained to save money for their employers. Even an innocent-sounding question such as, “How are you feeling today?” could be used against you if you politely answer, “I’m fine.”

Most injury victims are initially unaware that any recorded or written statements they give can be used against them by the insurance company. Insurers try to use the state’s modified comparative negligence laws to their advantage by assigning accident victims a higher percentage of fault, allowing them to lowball or deny claims.

Why Strong Legal Representation Matters After a Tampa Motorcycle Accident

No matter what tactics the insurance company uses, having strong legal representation is essential. When you hire an accident lawyer, the insurer is generally prohibited from contacting you directly regarding your insurance claim. Instead, your attorney will handle all communications with the insurer directly, allowing you to focus on healing.

Why Injured Motorcyclists Cannot Rely on PIP for Medical Expenses

Although many Florida drivers know they can turn to their own insurance company to access personal injury protection (PIP) benefits to pay for medical expenses, the same is not true for injured motorcyclists. Florida insurance law defines a “motor vehicle” as a passenger or utility vehicle with four or more wheels. That being the case, motorcycles, which have only two wheels, are excluded under this law.

Because of the strict definition of a motor vehicle, insurance providers in Florida cannot legally provide motorcyclists with standard PIP coverage. Even if you have an insurance policy that covers your car, your PIP coverage cannot be used if you are injured in a motorcycle accident.

Alternative Sources for Medical Bills

Since PIP is not an option, you must understand other options that will pay for your medical bills.

If you have MedPay, it works similarly to PIP and covers medical expenses regardless of who is at fault, but it does not cover lost income. You could also turn to your private health insurance, but you may be forced to pay high co-pays and meet deductibles.

Pursuing Compensation From the At-Fault Driver

Because you cannot access PIP benefits, you are also not restricted by the state’s no-fault insurance laws. Instead, you have the right to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver for 100% of your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering damages.

Fighting Back Against Insurance Company Claims of Shared Fault

Just as with any other type of accident, insurance providers look for ways to minimize or deny claims. Under the state’s modified comparative fault laws, an accident victim’s financial recovery can be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to them.

Suppose you were injured in a left-turn accident at an intersection, but the investigation also determined that you were speeding. You are awarded $100,000 in damages, but determined to be 20% at fault. Under those circumstances, your settlement would be reduced by 20%, and you would receive $80,000 for your final total.

Insurance companies often try to exploit stereotypes that motorcyclists are reckless and aggressive drivers, and prone to weaving in and out of traffic. Having a skilled Tampa motorcycle accident attorney on your side is the most effective way to protect yourself against the insurance company’s claims.

At Durham Law Group, our attorneys have extensive experience fighting for motorcycle accident victims. If we agree to take your case, our attorneys and legal team will build a compelling personal injury case through police reports and witness statements that refute the insurer’s claims.

Recoverable Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Case

For most of our clients, their top priority is recovering compensation to cover their medical expenses and lost wages. Florida personal injury law allows motorcycle accident victims to seek economic and non-economic damages to cover their financial and intangible losses.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are given to accident victims to reimburse them for financial losses, which may include:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning potential
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are compensation for personal losses you have experienced that do not have a direct financial value and often include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disfigurement and scarring

Contact Durham Law Group to Begin Your Motorcycle Accident Claim

Durham Law Group is a Tampa-area law firm that is committed to holding negligent drivers accountable. Our attorneys have extensive experience dealing with insurance providers that actively seek to lowball motorcycle accident claims. Our attorneys and legal team will negotiate with the insurer to ensure that your rights are protected and

If negotiations with the insurer fail, we are “trial-ready” and will file a personal injury lawsuit to help you recover maximum compensation for your damages.

Contact Durham Law Group today at 813-333-6250 to schedule a free case evaluation.