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Why You Should Call Catania & Catania for Help After a Motorcycle Accident in St. Petersburg, 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 St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys 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 several 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 St. Petersburg 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.
St. Petersburg Motorcycle Accident Statistics [2022]
In 2022, Pinellas County (including St. Petersburg) reported a staggering 15,680 total traffic-related accidents, encompassing incidents involving cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, and bicycles. Of these incidents, 437 were motorcycle crashes, signaling the severity of road safety concerns for motorcyclists in this region.
Although that number may not immediately represent a significant number county-wide, consider this: of those 437 motorcycle accidents, 378 involved serious injuries. That means that nearly 90% of motorcycle crashes resulted in injury, which highlights the serious, often life-altering consequences of motorcycle collisions.
Tragically, 32 motorcycle accidents in St. Petersburg and the surrounding area resulted in fatalities in 2022 alone. This data paints a stark picture of the potential dangers faced by motorcyclist enthusiasts, both in Pinellas County and throughout the state.
These statistics underscore the importance of seeking knowledgeable, experienced legal representation in the aftermath of such incidents. An accident attorney specializing in motorcycle collisions can provide invaluable guidance and support, ensuring victims and their families navigate the complexities of the legal process effectively, securing the compensation they deserve.
We Handle All Types of St. Petersburg Motorcycle Accident Injury Cases
If you or a loved one has been impacted by a motorcycle accident in St. Petersburg or anywhere within Pinellas County. In that case, it’s vital to understand your rights and potential legal avenues.
At Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers, you can trust that your St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer will advocate for you.
With little protection in a collision, motorcyclists face a high risk of serious injury or death. The NHTSA has found that people are 27x more likely to be fatally injured in a motorcycle crash than car occupants. We represent motorcyclists in St. Petersburg, FL who have suffered:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputation
- Catastrophic injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue injuries, such as road rash
- All types of injuries and fractures
A St. Petersburg motorcycle accident can leave you with life-changing 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
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in St. Petersburg, Florida
Motorcycle accidents can occur for many reasons, and understanding these common causes is essential for road safety. Below are some of the many factors that can lead to an accident:
- Distracted Driving: With the scenic beauty of St. Petersburg often distracting drivers, it’s a common cause of motorcycle accidents. Mobile phone usage while driving is a significant contributing factor.
- Driving Under the Influence: Despite stringent laws, accidents due to alcohol or drug impairment remain a serious issue in St. Petersburg.
- Left-Turn Accidents: These accidents often occur when a vehicle turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle, failing to notice or misjudging the motorcycle’s speed.
- Speeding: The open roads and beautiful weather of St. Petersburg can sometimes encourage excessive speed, leading to severe accidents.
- Poor Road Conditions: Florida’s weather can result in potholes, wet roads, and other hazards that are particularly dangerous for motorcyclists.
No matter the cause, if you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, working with a seasoned St. Pete motorcycle accident lawyer is crucial. Our attorneys can help investigate the incid
Common St. Petersburg Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents in St. Petersburg and Pinellas County often result in serious, sometimes life-altering injuries. The most common injuries sustained in these accidents typically include road rash, fractures, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, and internal injuries.
- Road rash is not a mere bruise or scrape; it’s a severe skin and bone injury caused by sliding across the pavement.
- Fractures, particularly of the arms, legs, and ribs, are common due to the lack of protection a motorcycle provides during a collision.
- Traumatic brain injuries, which can range from concussions to severe brain damage, are unfortunately common as well, despite the widespread use of helmets.
- Spinal cord injuries, which can result in paralysis or other neurologic impairments, and internal injuries to organs are also common and can have long-term consequences on a victim’s quality of life.
According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these types of injuries are prevalent among motorcycle accident victims nationwide, not just in our local community.
Given the significant physical, emotional, and financial toll these injuries can take, it’s essential to seek expert legal assistance to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to File a 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 an attorney in St. Petersburg, FL that will help you protect your claim.
How Much Is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth in St. Petersburg?
All St. Petersburg motorcycle accident cases are valued based on many unique, individual variables. No formula or calculator can be used to 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 the 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 St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I’m Partially at Fault for My Motorcycle Accident?
Florida follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Liability is assigned to each party based on their share of fault for injuries.
If your 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 Damages Are Available to St. Petersburg 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 in St. Petersburg:
- Medical bills related to the crash, including current and future medical costs
- Lost wages for time off work
- Diminished earning capacity if incapacitated, disabled, or impaired
- Property damage from your motorcycle wreck
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Reduced quality of life
- Disfigurement or scarring
You may be entitled 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 negligent 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 St. Petersburg 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 Being Involved in a Motorcycle Crash in St. Petersburg, FL?
After a motorcycle accident in St. Petersburg, 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:
- Call 911 and stay at the scene. Never leave the scene of an accident. The police in St. Petersburg can complete an accident report, which will be helpful to your attorney should you decide to file a lawsuit. Emergency services will take care of medical needs and get you and anyone else who needs it to a hospital.
- Document the scene. It may be tough, but if at all possible, snap some photos or videos of the accident scene. Take pictures of your wounds, your bike, other vehicles, the intersection, etc. Anything is helpful.
- 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.
- 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. But that’s exactly how it will be interpreted. So you don’t want to go on record with something that could compromise your case and that may not even be accurate.
- 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. You may be in shock and not realize the extent of your injuries. A documented medical exam will be important to prove your injuries in a personal injury claim.
- Don’t talk to insurance adjusters alone. They are not trying to help you out. Their goal is to minimize their payout. They may try to take advantage of your vulnerable state right after a collision and make a subpar offer before you have a chance to talk to a lawyer.
Talk to an experienced local St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer. A reputable attorney can help you understand all of your legal options and can protect you from unfair blame that could severely limit your chances of getting the maximum compensation available to you.
Motorcycle Accident FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions from motorcycle crash victims in Pinellas County.
How Much Does A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Cost in St. Petersburg?
Nothing upfront. Most St. Petersburg motorcycle 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 in St. Petersburg?
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 well-trained in personal injury law will know the ins and outs of working with stubborn adjusters. If you’re not represented by legal counsel, unfortunately, insurers often try to bully you into taking a lowball offer.
Contact a St. Petersburg Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
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 at (727) 263-3189 today to schedule the time for a free evaluation with a team of experienced St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyers ready to help you.
Additional Motorcycle Accident Resources & Information
- Do I Need Motorcycle Insurance in Florida?
- Do You Have To Wear A Motorcycle Helmet in Florida?
- Is A Motorcycle Really Worth The Cost?
- I’ve Been Hurt In A Motorcycle Accident – Do I Need A Lawyer?
- 7 Common Motorcycle Crashes And How To Avoid Them
Motorcycle Accident Review
