Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

With copious sunshine, warm temperatures, and hundreds of miles of coastline, Tampa and the surrounding areas of Florida see a lot of motorcycle traffic throughout the year. Nearly three million people live in the greater Tampa Metro, and thousands of tourists descend on the area throughout the year.

Although many people enjoy riding motorcycles for recreation or as their sole means of travel, the heavy traffic around Tampa increases their risk of a motorcycle accident.

If you suffered severe injuries or lost a close family member in a Tampa motorcycle accident someone else caused, you could obtain compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact the Tampa motorcycle accident lawyers at Apex Law Firm today at (813) 444-5212 for your free consultation.

Why Choose the Apex Law Firm as Your Tampa Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Experienced Tampa personal injury attorneys Jeff Constantinos and Chris Castillo founded the Apex Law Firm with a mission to deliver the highest level of representation to injured clients throughout Florida. Since then, we have received many top client reviews for our remarkable client service and awards and honors for our professionalism, legal abilities, and high ethical standards.

Some items to consider about our firm include:

• We are a small firm, but we have the resources and experience to take on the most complex cases. Additionally, our small size means we can devote more attention to your case.
• We have achieved considerable success during settlement negotiations and have recovered millions of dollars in total compensation for our clients.
• Our attorneys are competent, hard-working, and committed to helping you get the maximum compensation possible.
• We offer free consultations, and our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay us anything upfront to review your claim and represent you. We only accept a fee if we win your case or recover compensation for you.

The Apex Law Firm offers compassionate but zealous representation for your Tampa motorcycle accident claim. Our attorneys will take each step of the way with you as we increase your chances of success. Contact us right away to request your free case evaluation.

What Are Some Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Tampa?

In Tampa, like in any other city, motorcycle accidents can occur due to:

• Distracted driving. Distracted drivers who text, talk on the phone, eat, or engage in other activities while driving can fail to notice motorcycles, leading to accidents.
• Speeding. A speeding driver can lose control and cause a crash or fail to stop in time to avoid colliding with a motorcycle.
• Impaired driving. Alcohol or drugs significantly impair a vehicle driver’s judgment, coordination, and reaction time—all of which can lead to a serious motorcycle accident. Intoxication can also affect a driver’s vision and other senses, making it harder for them to see a motorcyclist.
• Failure to yield the right of way. Other vehicle drivers often fail to yield the right of way to motorcyclists at intersections, when making turns, or while changing lanes. This causes many motorcycle accidents.
• Running red lights or stop signs. Vehicle drivers who fail to stop at intersections or road junctions can cause serious motorcycle accidents if they collide with a bike.
• Unsafe lane changes. Drivers who change lanes without checking their blind spots or signaling can collide with motorcyclists.
• Road hazards. Motorcycles are more vulnerable to road hazards and changes in road conditions than four-wheeled vehicles. Potholes, debris, uneven surfaces, and other road hazards pose greater risks to motorcyclists because motorcycles inherently have less stability.
• Vehicle defects. Mechanical failures or defects in motorcycles, such as brake failures, tire blowouts, or steering malfunctions, can lead to accidents.
• Weather. Adverse weather, such as rain, high winds, or poor visibility, can make the roads more hazardous for motorcyclists, increasing the chances of accidents when other drivers fail to take proper precautions.

Since motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles and harder to see, drivers should remain vigilant to watch out for motorcyclists and allow them the right of way. Vehicle drivers who act carelessly or recklessly may bear liability for the motorcycle accident injuries they cause. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can review your case and determine if you have a viable claim after a negligent motorist causes a motorcycle crash that injures you.

What Are Some Common Motorcycle Injuries?

Motorcycles do not have roofs, doors, side panels, or other enclosures to protect the rider and their passenger. Motorcycles are far smaller and lighter than most other vehicles, and a motorcycle accident can cause serious, life-threatening injuries to bikers. Even in a low-speed collision, bikers can sustain severe injuries, whereas the car driver may walk away unscathed. Crashes at highway speeds can cause catastrophic injuries, and Tampa motorcyclists die every year in motorcycle accidents.

Some common serious motorcycle injuries include:

• Road rash. Road rash occurs when a rider's skin scrapes against the pavement during a crash. It can range from minor abrasions to deep wounds, leading to infections or scarring.
• Broken bones. Motorcycle accidents often result in fractured bones, particularly in the arms, legs, wrists, and collarbones. These severe injuries may require surgery to repair.
• Head injuries. Head injuries can lead to skull fractures and long-term traumatic brain injuries, including concussions.
• Spinal cord injuries. Motorcycle accidents can cause spinal cord injuries, which can cause life-altering partial or complete paralysis.
• Soft tissue injuries. Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons can include sprains, strains, and tears, resulting in pain, swelling, and reduced mobility.
• Internal injuries. The impact force of a motorcycle accident can damage the liver, spleen, or lungs. Internal bleeding and organ damage may require emergency medical attention.
• Facial injuries. Facial injuries can include jaw and cheek fractures, lacerations, dental injuries, and eye trauma.
• Limb amputations. Severe motorcycle accidents can lead to limb amputations, either in the crash or due to subsequent injuries and complications. Amputations have significant physical and psychological impacts on individuals.
• Emotional and psychological trauma. Motorcycle accidents can cause emotional and psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and a fear of riding again.

The type and severity of a motorcyclist’s injuries will depend on the speed of the collision, the protective gear the rider was wearing, the impact point, and others.

What Types of Compensation Can I Receive From a Motorcycle Accident in Florida?

Florida law allows injured parties to pursue compensation from those responsible. If another driver or defective component on your bike caused the accident that injured you, you might recover damages to cover your financial and other losses.

The specific compensation can vary based on the extent of your injuries and other factors.

Here are common types of compensation that you could recover:

• Medical expenses. You can seek compensation for medical costs related to your accident. These include hospital bills, surgery costs, medication, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and future medical expenses for ongoing treatment or care.
• Lost wages. If the accident caused you to miss work and resulted in a loss of income, you may recover compensation. This includes the income you already lost and the potential future income you would have received if you could have continued working.
• Property damage. If the accident damages or destroys your motorcycle, you can seek compensation to cover the cost of repairs or the fair market value of your motorcycle if  the accident totaled it.
• Pain and suffering: The at-fault party may need to pay your non-economic damages, such as ongoing physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. These more subjective damages compensate for the physical and emotional impact of the accident.
• Disfigurement and disability. If the accident resulted in permanent disfigurement or disability, you may receive compensation for their physical and psychological effects.
• Loss of consortium. If the accident has affected your relationship with a spouse or partner, including through a wrongful death, you may seek compensation for the loss of companionship, affection, and support.
• Punitive damages. The court may award punitive damages in cases involving a particularly reckless or intentional act by the at-fault party. Punitive damages punish the defendant and deter similar behavior.

You may also seek other forms of compensation, and you need to consult a personal injury attorney with extensive experience handling motorcycle accidents in Florida. They will assess your case, evaluate your damages, and determine the compensation you may receive.

What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?

Right after a motorcycle accident in Florida:

1. Report the accident and seek medical attention. Make your health and well-being your top priority after a motorcycle accident. Call 911 immediately and report the crash. Make sure they send both the police and EMS.

Go to the emergency room if necessary, but seek prompt medical attention for any injuries you sustained in the accident. Some internal injuries do not present symptoms immediately, or you could have a condition that will worsen if you don't treat it promptly.

Receive a comprehensive medical evaluation and follow the prescribed treatment plan. You will need documentation you suffered an injury and received treatment to file a viable motorcycle accident injury claim.

2. Document the accident. Gather as much evidence as possible at the accident scene. This may include photographs of the accident scene, damage to the vehicles involved, and your injuries. Obtain a copy of the police report filed at the accident scene and gather contact information from the vehicle driver and any witnesses.
3. Get the at-fault driver’s insurance. You will also want to get the insurance information of the driver who caused the crash and any other drivers involved.
4. Consult an attorney. Call a personal injury attorney with experience handling motorcycle accidents. They can guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and help you pursue fair compensation.

How Do I Get Compensation for My Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Florida?

If someone else caused a motorcycle accident that injured you or claimed the life of a loved one in Florida, you may seek compensation, but you will need an attorney to help you with the process. A lawyer will understand the legal complexities involved and can gather evidence to support your claim.

To help you get compensation, your attorney will need to:

• Determine liability. Your attorney will investigate the accident to determine liability. They will assess the evidence, interview witnesses, and analyze relevant laws and regulations to establish fault.
• File a personal injury claim. Your lawyer can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party's insurance company. This claim will outline your injuries, damages, and the compensation you seek.
• Negotiate and settle. Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement. They will advocate for you and ensure you receive appropriate compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
• Take your case to trial. If your attorney can’t reach a fair settlement through negotiation—or if the insurance company acts in bad faith regarding your claim or the settlement agreement—your attorney may file a lawsuit against them. If your case goes to court, a judge or jury will determine the outcome and any compensation awarded. Your attorney may also recommend you take your case to court, such as if a defective component or a drunk driver caused the crash.

In Florida, you only have two years from your accident to file a lawsuit in civil court, so you must act quickly and speak with a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible to ensure you can pursue the compensation you need.

Contact a Tampa Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorney Today

The process of obtaining compensation for your motorcycle accident injuries can vary based on your case. Consult an experienced attorney who can provide personalized guidance and support you each step of the way.

The Tampa motorcycle accident lawyers at Apex Law have more than 20 years of combined legal experience, and we have obtained substantial compensation for injured motorcycle accident victims and their families. We promise to fight hard to help you get the maximum compensation possible so you can focus on your recovery.

Contact us today at (813) 444-5212 for your free consultation.