Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Have you or someone you love been injured in a motorcycle crash in Tampa, FL? You might be entitled to financial compensation. Call Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers at (813) 222-8656 to schedule a free consultation. An experienced Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer will fight for the money you deserve.

At Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, we have fought tirelessly for the rights of motorcycle accident victims for over 28 years. Contact our law office in Tampa, FL today to schedule a free case review with a motorcycle accident lawyer who can help. There is no fee unless we win.

Why You Should Call Catania & Catania for Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Tampa, FL

call Catania & Catania After Motorcycle accident in Tampa, FL

The insurance company won’t be fighting for you after your accident. Catania & Catania will. By choosing our law firm, you’ll benefit from Tampa personal injury lawyers with 120+ years of experience who have won $500 million in damages.

We give you the time you need to recover and handle every aspect of your case:

  • Handle all communications and administrative tasks on your behalf
  • Offer dependable legal advice and support
  • Conduct a thorough investigation into your crash to gather evidence
  • Work with a number of specialists to prove causation, and the extent of your injury
  • Build the best strong evidence-based case possible and pursue all avenues for compensation
  • Accurately value all the damages you sustained and negotiate for a fair settlement
  • Take your case before a jury if the insurance provider does not treat you fairly 

At Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, we understand how traumatic this time is. Hire the best team of motorcycle accident lawyers to work on your claims while you focus on your recovery. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay unless we win for you.

Tampa Motorcycle Accident Statistics [2022 Update]

tampa motorcycle accident statistics 2022

Florida is one of the top states for motorcycles, with over 592,000 bikes registered in the state. Out-of-state riders also visit Florida for its big motorcycle rallies, ideal weather, and scenic roads. However, Florida is also one of America’s top three states for deadly motorcycle collisions.

The Florida Department of Highway and Motor Vehicles (FDHMV) reported 8,629 motorcycle crashes in 2021, and 586 of these accidents were deadly. Although motorcycles were involved in just two to four percent of all traffic disasters in Florida, they accounted for about 15.52% of traffic deaths. As of 4/12/2022, there have been a total of 2,584 motorcycle crashes in the state of Florida.

In Hillsborough County, there were a total of 584 motorcycle collisions reported in 2021, including 515 injuries and 37 fatalities. Preliminary statistics for 2022 show that there have been 172 motorcycle crashes, including 19 injuries and 12 fatalities (as of 4/12/2022).

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Tampa, FL

Motorcycle crashes are usually the result of human error from the rider, driver, or pedestrian. Common causes of motorcycle accidents in Tampa include:

  • Speeding. This is a primary factor in 33% of death-related motorcycle accidents, especially those involving sports bikes and younger riders.
  • Drunk driving. Nearly 27% of fatal motorcycle accidents involve alcohol.
  • Lane splitting. Lane splitting is illegal in Florida.
  • Distracted driving.
  • Unsafe lane change or improper lane use.
  • Left-hand turns. Nearly 40% of motorcycle accidents happen when a passenger vehicle is turning left.
  • Road conditions. Potholes, damaged asphalt, and other poor road conditions are especially dangerous for motorcyclists

A 10-year study on motorcycle accidents in Florida found that other drivers were responsible 60% of the time in accidents between a motorcycle and motor vehicle. 

However, motorcyclists can also bear the responsibility for a crash. Inexperienced, younger motorcyclists are more likely in accidents than older riders with experience. Sport motorcycles also have a higher rate of collisions and fatalities because they are harder to control and reach higher speeds.

We Handle All Types of Tampa Motorcycle Accident Injury Cases

Catania & Catania - Tampa office near you

With little protection in a collision, motorcyclists face a high risk of serious injury or death. The NHTSA reports that people are 27x more likely to have fatal injuries in a motorcycle crash than car occupants.

We represent motorcyclists who have suffered:

A motorcycle accident can leave you with life-changing severe injuries and affect you for the rest of your life. Even wearing a helmet is also a good way to protect your head especially, since motorcycles don’t have the same safety features other vehicles have.

We realize that you may face an unfair stigma over your injuries simply because you chose to ride a motorcycle. We will fight back against insurance adjusters and juries to seek the compensation you deserve.

We’re here to help, 24/7

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Crash in Tampa, FL?

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Crash in Florida?

There is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Florida. Missing this crucial deadline means your case will be dismissed, and you will not be able to recover any compensation. The statute of limitations for a fatal accident is just two years.

Don’t delay your claims. The investigation and negotiation process can take many months. Delays can allow valuable evidence to be lost which may weaken your case. Reach out to our law office today and program some time to talk to a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer that will help you protect your claim.

How Much is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?

Motorcycle Accident in Tampa, FL

All motorcycle accident cases are valued based on many unique, individual variables. There is no formula or calculator that can estimate your case’s worth without adequate investigation. 

The value of your motorcycle accident case will likely be based on:

  • The amount of insurance coverage
  • Whether you share blame
  • The strength of your negligent case
  • How severe are the injuries
  • The cause and circumstances of the collision 
  • How your injuries will impact your life and ability to work 

After determining the value of your economic damages like medical bills and lost earnings, we will estimate the value of your non-economic losses like pain and suffering. These estimates will serve as a starting point for negotiations.

The best way to determine the value of your case is to schedule a free case evaluation with a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer.

Can I Still Recover Compensation if I’m Partially at Fault for My Motorcycle Accident?

Can I Still Recover Compensation if I’m Partially at Fault for My Motorcycle Accident in Florida?

Florida follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Liability is assigned to each party based on their share of fault for injuries.

If your own negligence contributed to your harm in any way, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. In practical terms, say you would have been entitled to $100,000, but a jury found that you were 25% responsible for getting hurt. Your award would be reduced by 25%—to $75,000—because you had a role in getting hurt.

You can count on the at-fault party’s insurer to argue that if you hadn’t been negligent in some way, you wouldn’t have been as severely injured. If you were speeding or riding recklessly, for example, you could have a difficult fight to recover the maximum amount of compensation.

What if I Wasn’t Wearing a Motorcycle Helmet?

Wearing a helmet is always a safe idea. With a few exceptions, it’s also the law in Florida.

Motorcycle Helmet Requirements in Florida

Florida Motorcycle Helmet Requirements

Under Florida law, in most cases, it is a requirement for motorcycle riders and passengers to wear a helmet. Riders must also wear eye protection. 

If you are at least 21 years old, you can ride without a helmet if you carry an insurance policy that provides at least $10,000 in medical benefits.

You may notice this sounds much like your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance that pays benefits if you’re in a car accident. But it’s important to understand that the PIP coverage on your automobile does not apply to motorcycles. 

While it’s possible to face fines if you’re caught not wearing protective headgear, the more serious consequences occur if you’re involved in a motorcycle crash.

Even if you aren’t required to wear a helmet, it could cost you if you choose to go without one. Research shows that using headgear when you ride reduces your risk of death by a whopping 37%. It reduces your risk of a head injury by 69%.

Can I Still Get Compensation If I’m Not Wearing a Helmet in a Motorcycle Accident?

Can I Still Get Compensation If I’m Not Wearing a Helmet in a Motorcycle Accident?

Probably. Not wearing a helmet won’t necessarily bar you from seeking compensation for your injuries. 

You can still file a claim with your insurance company under the state’s no-fault insurance law. If someone else caused your accident and your injuries are severe, you can still file a lawsuit and seek damages from them.

However, keep in mind that Florida has a pure comparative negligence law. Your own negligence – not wearing a motorcycle helmet – could hurt your ability to recover the full value of your injury case. 

You can bet that even if the other party was 100% responsible for the accident itself, their insurance company will argue that if you had been using a helmet at the time, you wouldn’t have been as severely injured.

If you fail to take reasonable precautions, such as wearing protective gear known to prevent harm, you could face significant obstacles to receiving the full amount of compensation available.

What Damages Are Available to Tampa Motorcycle Accident Victims?

What damages are available to motorcycle accident victims?

When your injury claim is successful, you are entitled to compensation for your economic and non-economic losses after the accident. 

You can obtain compensation for the following types of damages:

You may have entitlement to punitive damages as well. A jury awards punitive damages to punish the defendant if they caused your crash through gross negligence or wanton indifference to human life.

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Motorcycle Accident?

Proving someone was a negligent driver requires showing:

  • The other party owed you a duty of care.
  • The defendant breached this duty of care.
  • This breach led to your accident.
  • You suffered damages.

Your motorcycle accident attorneys will use many forms of evidence to prove negligence. The police report may indicate the officer’s opinion on the cause. Witness statements, dashcam footage, photos of the scene, and the other driver’s cell phone records may all support your case. 

What Should I Do After A Motorcycle Accident in Tampa, FL?

what should i do after a tampa motorcycle crash

After a motorcycle accident, a few things can help ensure that you are as safe as possible and that you have the best chance of preserving your right to the maximum compensation available. 

Try to remain calm and try to remember these seven steps that will help you the most:

  1. Call 911 and stay at the scene. Never leave the scene of an accident. The police can complete an accident report, which will be helpful to your attorney should you decide to file a lawsuit.
  2. Document the scene. It may be tough, but if possible, snap some photos or videos of the accident scene, your wounds, your bike, other vehicles, the intersection, etc.
  3. Get contact and insurance information from other parties involved. If possible, try to get at least the names and insurance companies of the people involved.
  4. Resist the urge to apologize. In a traumatic event, sometimes people just say they’re sorry for the situation and don’t intend to admit fault. However, the interpretation can be just that. Accident scenes are chaotic and it’s highly likely you don’t really know what happened.
  5. Seek medical attention. If you weren’t taken to the hospital from the scene, get to a doctor as soon as possible. Not all wounds are immediately visible and you may have serious injuries. A documented medical exam is important in a personal injury claim.
  6. Don’t talk to insurance adjusters alone. Their goal is to minimize their payout, not help you. They may try to take advantage of your vulnerable state right after a collision and make a subpar offer.
  7. Talk to an experienced local Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer. A reputable attorney can help you understand all of your legal options and can protect you from unfair blame limiting the maximum compensation available to you.

Tampa Motorcycle Accident FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions from motorcycle crash victims in the Tampa Bay area.

How Much Does A Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Cost?

Nothing upfront. Most accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis instead of an hourly rate. That means that they’ll collect their fee at the conclusion of the lawsuit only if they win your case. So, you don’t have to shell out any money upfront, when bills are piling up and money is tight.

A contingency fee is typically anywhere from 33% to 40% of your award. Each attorney will have their own fee agreement, so make sure you understand it before you sign it.

Do I Need A Lawyer If I Wasn’t at Fault for My Motorcycle Accident?

How Much Does a Motorcycle Injury Lawyer Cost

It’s always a good idea to hire a lawyer if you’ve been in a motorcycle accident. If you weren’t at fault, the insurance agency is going to blame you anyway.

It’s just how they operate. They deal with billions of dollars worth of claims paid every year. They are private companies trying to maximize their profits, so they’ll look for every reason not to pay you what you’re due.

A lawyer who is an expert in personal injury law will know the ins and outs of working with stubborn adjusters. If you don’t have representation by legal counsel, unfortunately, insurers often try to bully you into taking a lowball offer.

How Long Will My Motorcycle Accident Case Take To Settle?

Very likely, months to years. Each case is different. Even relatively straightforward cases can take several months.

Some factors that can affect how quickly a case proceeds can include:

  • The parties’ opinions of how much the case is worth
  • Whether there were multiple parties involved
  • The extent of the disputes over facts or law
How Long Will My Case Take To Settle?

Sometimes injured victims need money as soon as possible and may prefer an early settlement. Or, sometimes insurance adjusters settle quickly because they know their covered party was responsible and they don’t want to face a jury when the facts are stacked against them.

If both parties are dug in and there are complex issues requiring expert testimony and extensive investigation, the case could go on for several years.

Contact a Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Motorcycle Accident Attorneys located in Tampa, FL

After a serious motorcycle collision, you should not have to fight the at-fault driver or their insurance company for fair compensation. Don’t accept a settlement offer from the insurance company without speaking with an injury lawyer first.

Call Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers today at (813) 222-8656 to schedule the time for a free evaluation with an experienced Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer ready to help you.

Additional Motorcycle Accident Resources & Information

Motorcycle Accident Review

Motorcycle Accident Review

https://goo.gl/maps/czpVm6dRF1JCajFF6

Local Emergency Rooms

  • Tampa General Hospital Emergency Room – 1 Tampa General Cir, Tampa, FL 33606
  • St. Joseph’s Hospital- Emergency Center – 3001 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tampa, FL 33614
  • ER 24/7 at Memorial Hospital of Tampa – 2901 W Swann Ave 1st Floor, Tampa, FL 33609
  • AdventHealth Carrollwood ER – 7171 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33614

*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website. These were some of the highest-rated auto repair shops on Yelp.

Motorcycle Accidents Infographic

Motorcycle Accidents Infographic