Tampa Motorcycle Accidents Lawyers

Competent & Compassionate Legal Service for the Injured

As the Sunshine State, Florida is home to many motorcyclists who enjoy this form of transportation in the state’s warm weather. While motorcycles are a cheaper form of transportation and a fun ride for sport and recreation, they are also a much more dangerous way to travel. Without the solid steel shell of a vehicle and other key safety features – including seat belts and airbags – a motorcyclist stands little chance of avoiding injuries when involved in an accident.

It is a well-known fact that, in any motorcycle accident involving a bike and another vehicle, the motorcyclist will generally incur the worst injuries. When these injuries are caused by the negligence of the other driver or another third party, a personal injury claim can be made for compensatory damages. At Harmon Parker, P.A. we are well-versed in handling these types of cases using all or our available resources to substantiate your claim.

Talk to a Tampa motorcycle accident attorney during a free consultation by calling (813) 452-4144.

Motorcycle Accidents in Tampa, Florida

Motorcycle accidents can result in serious injuries, ranging from fractures to head and spinal injuries. A common cause for motorcycle crashes is that the other driver failed to see the motorcycle.

This failure may be caused by many factors, such as:

• Distracted driving: With smartphones, GPS devices, and other potential distractions, motorcycle riders are in greater danger from distracted drivers than ever before. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 2,841 lives in 2018 alone. When a driver takes their eyes off the road to respond to a text message, adjust the music in the car, or read an e-mail, nearby motorcyclists can easily go unnoticed and fall victim to devastating collisions.
• Speeding: Motorcycle accidents are particularly deadly when high speeds are involved. The NHTSA reports that speeding was responsible for 9,378 roadway deaths in 2018 alone. In fact, speed has been a factor in roughly one-third of motor vehicle fatalities for more than two decades.
• Left-hand turns: Left-hand turns are responsible for 42% of all accidents between motorcycles and cars and typically occur when a motorcycle is going straight through an intersection, passing a car, or trying to overtake a car. While left-hand turn crashes are common between two cars as well, the lower visibility of motorcycles makes them particularly dangerous.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs: Riding a motorcycle near sober motorists is dangerous enough. Unfortunately, drunk or drugged drivers compound this danger by a considerable degree. Impaired driving is a major problem in the United States and is responsible for roughly 30 roadway deaths per day. Put another way, this accounts to one death every 50 minutes, or more than 10,000 lives lost per year.
• Fatigue: Tired drivers are yet another hazard to motorcyclists and can exhibit many of the same symptoms as a drunk driver, such as drifting between lanes, impaired reaction times, and failing to stop in time to prevent a crash. According to the NHTSA, drowsy drivers are involved in more than 90,000 collisions per year.

Other motorists often fail to give motorcycles the space they need and may be unaware of the speed when an oncoming motorcycle is heading towards them. This lack of judgment can lead to accidents where motorists make left turns in front of motorcycles. As in any accident, understanding and proving fault is crucial to the negotiation of a fair settlement or to proving your claim in court if necessary.

What Damages Can I Recover for My Motorcycle Accident Case?

Motorcycle accidents can range from minor to catastrophic, but regardless of the severity, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages you have suffered. Recovering from injuries can cost significant amounts of money in medical bills and lost wages.

With the help of an attorney who can achieve a successful outcome, you may be entitled to the following types of damages for your motorcycle accident case:

• Special Damages - Damages unique to the case, including medical bills, property damage, and legal fees.

• General Damages - Damages that are generally suffered in a motorcycle accident, including physical pain and suffering, and mental anguish.

• Punitive Damages - Additional damages a judge may award if compensation is not enough to fully cover.

Turn to Harmon Parker, P.A.

Engaging the services of a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible following a motorcycle crash in critical to your claim. You should not rely on anyone else to obtain all the evidence that may be necessary in your case. If you put off calling our firm, important evidence – such as the damage to vehicles, witness testimony, or skid marks on the road – may be lost or compromised.

Our firm can thoroughly investigate the scene of the accident and call in accident reconstruction experts to determine fault. This evidence can play a significant role in your case when the insurance company attempts to deny or limit compensation.

Reach out to us at (813) 452-4144 or contact us online for the help you need following your motorcycle accident.