Why You Should Call Catania & Catania for Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Pinellas Park, FL
Our skilled accident attorneys boast decades of specialized experience handling claims, making us exceptionally well-equipped to advocate for you in and out of court. The insurance company won’t be fighting for you after your accident. Catania & Catania will. By choosing our law firm, you’ll benefit from Pinellas Park personal injury attorneys with 120+ years of experience who have won $500 million in damages.
We have extensive expertise in the unique challenges that motorcyclists often encounter and possess the knowledge to navigate motorcycle litigation easily. Our strategic approach is designed to protect your rights and ensure you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. With a dedicated Pinellas Park motorcycle accident lawyer, you can concentrate on your recovery while we handle your case.
Our law firm gives you the time you need to recover, while we handle every aspect of your case. We also work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay unless we win.
Pinellas Park, FL Motorcycle Accident Statistics [2023]
Located in Florida’s Pinellas County, Pinellas Park is part of one of the state’s largest counties. According to the Florida Department of Highway and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), the rate of accidents in the region stays fairly steady throughout the year. When you take a closer look at the 2023 accident data for Pinellas County, it is clear that motorcyclists – and drivers in general – face certain risks out on the road:
- The county reported more than 4,000 hit-and-run accidents, hundreds resulting in injuries.
- Throughout 2023, a total of almost 15,000 accidents occurred in Pinellas County, more than 400 of which were involving motorcyclists.
- There were at least 20 fatalities caused by motorcycle accidents.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Pinellas Park, FL
Motorcycle accidents in Pinellas Park, FL, are caused by various factors, each with potentially devastating outcomes for riders. Key accident contributors include:
- Distracted Driving: Motorists focused on texting, eating, or adjusting in-car systems (like music or navigation) often fail to notice motorcycles, leading to dangerous collisions.
- Speeding: Excessive speed negatively impacts a driver’s reaction time and control, making it difficult to properly react to any sudden event.
- Road Hazards: Small road debris, potholes, and uneven surfaces pose significant dangers to motorcyclists, potentially causing loss of control.
- Low Visibility: Due to their size, motorcycles blend into the visual noise of roads, especially in low light or bad weather, increasing the risk of being overlooked by other drivers.
- Unsafe Lane Changes: Many accidents occur when drivers switch lanes without properly checking for motorcycles, often underestimating the motorcycle’s speed or proximity.
Because our accident lawyers understand the specific factors that can put motorcyclists at risk, we have the unique expertise to advocate for you in conflicts with insurance companies, other drivers, and even city and state agencies when needed.
We Handle All Types of Pinellas Park Motorcycle Accident Injury Cases
Each case managed by our Pinellas Park motorcycle accident attorneys receives in-depth attention, so you can be confident that all aspects of your recovery will be fairly addressed and supported with comprehensive legal support.
We represent motorcyclists in Pinellas Park, 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 motorcycle accident in Pinellas Park can leave you with life-changing injuries and affect you for the rest of your life. 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 Pinellas Park Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle crashes can easily result in severe injuries, primarily because motorcyclists (and their passengers) are not protected by the frame of a car or truck. Common injuries in motorcycle accidents include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Motorcyclists are susceptible to TBIs, even when wearing helmets, due to the force of impact during an accident.
- Road Rash: Contact with the road surface can lead to serious skin abrasions, which may require extensive medical treatment.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: Collisions often force the rider to take the brunt of the impact, resulting in multiple broken bones.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: High-impact crashes can damage the spine, potentially causing partial or complete paralysis.
- Emotional Distress: It’s common for victims to suffer from PTSD, anxiety, or depression following the traumatic event of an accident.
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 also 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 Pinellas Park, FL that will help you protect your claim.
How Much is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth in Pinellas Park?
All Pinellas Park motorcycle accident cases are valued based on many unique, individual variables. There is no formula or calculator that 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 what your case is worth is to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Pinellas Park motorcycle accident attorney.
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 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.
Under Florida law, in most cases, motorcycle riders and passengers are required 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 Pinellas Park car accident. However, 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%.
What Damages Are Available to Pinellas Park 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 Pinellas Park:
- 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 Pinellas Park 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 Pinellas Park, FL?
After a motorcycle accident in Pinellas Park, 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 Pinellas Park can complete an accident report, which will be helpful to your attorney should you decide to file a lawsuit.
- Document the scene. It may be tough, but if at all possible, snap some photos or videos of the accident scene.
- 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.
- Seek medical attention. If you weren’t taken to the hospital from the scene, get to a doctor as soon as possible.
- Don’t talk to insurance adjusters alone. They are not trying to help you out. Their goal is to minimize their payout.
Talk to an experienced local Pinellas Park 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.
Contact a Pinellas Park 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) 513-6765 today to schedule the time for a free evaluation with a team of experienced Pinellas Park motorcycle accident lawyers ready to help you.
