Motorcycles in Tampa are a common sight, and many Floridians and visitors enjoy this mode of transport due to its convenience and fun. There is no shortage of sunshine and warm weather in Tampa, which makes motorcycling a year-round activity that enthusiasts enjoy.
Unfortunately, motorcycle riders in Tampa can face a higher risk of injury or death if an accident happens. Motorcycle accidents are not nearly as common as those involving passenger vehicles, but when an accident does occur, the stakes grow much higher. Life-threatening injuries or fatalities occur more frequently in accidents involving motorcycle riders along Tampa’s roadways. Below, our experienced personal injury attorneys will discuss what steps are necessary for filing an injury accident claim and if you have a case. To learn more about your specific claim, call us to schedule a free evaluation with a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer.
After a Motorcycle Accident in Tampa, Contact Perenich Law Injury Attorneys
A motorcycle rider is unlikely to survive an accident unscathed. Survivors of motorcycle accidents can suffer serious or life-threatening injuries and never fully recover.
Not only do you face the challenges of recovering from your injuries, but also the pain and suffering of the accident and its aftermath. You will need a motorcycle accident attorney with the experience and qualifications to protect your interests against the parties potentially at fault for your injuries and their insurers.
At Perenich Law Injury Attorneys, our seasoned attorneys know the uphill battles you must deal with in the days, weeks, and months after a Tampa motorcycle accident. We want to help you take action quickly to protect your right to seek the compensation you deserve from those at fault for your damages.
The Risk of a Motorcycle Crash In and Around Tampa
In just one year in Florida, over 3,000 people will lose their lives in a fatal traffic accident. Of those fatalities, over 500 of them will be motorcycle riders. Traffic accidents involving motorcycles do not happen as often as motor vehicle crashes, but the consequences can be catastrophic or fatal for the rider.
Tampa and the Tampa Bay area is the third-largest city in Florida with a population of over 400,000. Traffic jams and congested roads are a daily occurrence in this metropolitan area. Besides the year-round residents that call Tampa home, tourists, snowbirds, and part-time residents will be in and around the area, depending on the season and current events. Unfamiliarity with the area and roads as well as regular rush hour traffic jams and commuters on the road can increase the risk of accidents and leave motorcyclists vulnerable to injury.
What Does a Tampa Motorcycle Accident Attorney Do?
Sadly, many riders lose their lives at the scene of a motorcycle accident, but those that survive will face life-threatening risks of complications and the difficult recovery of injuries that can leave a permanent effect on their ability to function and live their lives. Motorcycle crashes can leave riders with not only debilitating injuries but also permanent disabilities. A seasoned Tampa motorcycle accident attorney understands the deep impact an accident will have on the future of a victim in a motorcycle crash. You may not yet know just how significant of an impact your injuries will have on your ability to work, maintain your everyday responsibilities and lead a fulfilling life.
A dedicated Tampa motorcycle crash lawyer will work with you to seek the compensation that you are eligible for and that you will need to move forward after a life-altering event such as a motorcycle accident. Your lawyer will help calculate your damages, taking into account every loss you have and will sustain because of the accident. Your attorney will aid you in negotiating a settlement with an insurance company or other party that is both fair and appropriately compensates you for as much of your losses as possible.
Once you have an attorney to represent you in your case, you no longer need to concern yourself with constant calls, requests for information, or attempts at interrogation by insurance companies. Your lawyer is your representative in your case, so all communications must now go through them. You communicate only with your attorney as to matters that relate to your case.
This lifts an often-overwhelming burden off of you and allows you to begin to set your priorities on recovery while letting your attorney handle the matters that relate to helping you fight for the compensation of your losses. In many cases, an attorney can help a case resolve more quickly and for more compensation than a victim with no representation, which can be at risk of a denial of their claim or a low settlement offer.
What Are the Dangers You Face as a Motorcyclist on Tampa’s Roadways?
Rainstorms, traffic jams, tourists, and road work are just some of the everyday threats you may encounter on the road as a motorcyclist in Tampa. The truth is anything and anyone can cause an accident and the number one threat to motorcyclists on the road is not the weather conditions or the congestion, but rather the negligent drivers behind the wheel of a car or commercial truck.
Negligence is to blame in nearly all traffic accidents. While motorcycle riders often get a bad reputation, the truth is many riders are safe and do what they can to protect themselves. Motorcyclists understand the risks they face when they are traveling on the roadways, but even the most prepared and diligent motorcycle rider is at risk of death or injury when a negligent motor vehicle driver is on the road.
What Are the Common Causes of Motorcycle Collisions?
Negligence may not always be apparent after a motorcycle accident, but in many cases, once the investigation of the accident proceeds, there is a discovery that one or multiple parties acted in a manner putting others at risk of injury. Motor vehicle driver negligence can take many forms and every accident is different. However, there are certain types of actions common in negligent motorcycle accidents. Unfortunately, in many of these cases, it is the motorcyclists that are the victim of another driver’s negligence.
Frequent causes of motorcycle wrecks in Tampa due to negligence include:
Drunk drivers
Drivers under the influence are a risk to everyone on the road, but motorcyclists are at higher risk of death by drunk drivers. Drivers that are under the influence have limitations in their ability to operate a vehicle and to identify others on the road. Due to their smaller size and quick maneuverability, motorcycles in the path of a drunk driver can fall victim to the driver’s inability to react and respond quickly to the situation on the road.
Improper lane changes
One of the actions by drivers that can immediately place a motorcycle rider at risk is a lane change. This maneuver is dangerous to motorcyclists because drivers can underestimate the distance of a motorcyclist as they move into their lane or may not see a motorcyclist in the next lane if they are in their blind spot.
Distracted drivers
Texting, talking on the phone, reading or any activity that takes a driver’s focus from the road can result in an accident with a motorcyclist. When a driver is not paying attention to the road ahead or those around them, they can strike a motorcyclist from behind or drift into their lane causing the rider to lose control.
Aggressive or reckless driving
Unpredictable drivers can be dangerous to motorcyclists as they change lanes, make sudden stops, or tailgate riders on the roadways. One sudden move or stop can cause a rider to lose control or push them into other drivers or oncoming vehicles.
Speeding above the posted speed limits or in hazardous weather
Speeding cars are a threat to everyone on the road, but particularly to vulnerable motorcyclists that may not see the vehicle approaching and cannot get out of the way in time. Rainy conditions can also make the surfaces of the roadway slippery, which can slow braking times for vehicles traveling at high speeds, causing collisions and for vehicles to hydroplane and lose control.
Drivers violating traffic laws and failure to follow traffic signals
Traffic laws, lights, and signs are necessary to maintain safety at all times on the roads. Motorcycle riders must rely on these mechanisms as they travel the road and entrust that drivers are doing their part to keep themselves and others safe. When a driver fails to follow the rules, they can wreak havoc at intersections and on congested roads where a motorcyclist may be present.
Serious and Life-Threatening Injuries a Motorcyclist May Suffer After a Crash
It is easy to understand why a motorcyclist is at higher risk of death or serious injury in an accident. Unlike drivers and passengers of vehicles that have the protection of metal frames, doors, and windows, a motorcyclist only has the protection they wear. While a helmet can help reduce the severity of injuries in some situations, the truth is that a crash between a vehicle and a motorcycle often spells disaster for a rider.
It is nearly impossible for a rider to remain on their motorcycle when a vehicle hits them. The speed of the vehicle, location of impact, and the surrounding environment at the time of the crash will greatly influence the injuries to a motorcyclist in the accident.
Common injuries to a motorcyclist in a crash to a vehicle include:
- Internal injuries to organs and internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Road rash
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Muscle, ligament, and tendon injuries
- Nerve damage
- Dislocations
The Losses You Can Receive Compensation for After a Motorcycle Accident In Tampa
Damages in a motorcycle accident can be some of the highest of any other personal injury accident. Motorcycle riders that survive a motorcycle crash face lifelong expenses related to their injuries and health after an accident.
Treatment for motorcycle injury accidents will often include lengthy hospital stays, surgery, and the need for around-the-clock care. The rehabilitation of motorcycle injuries can be extensive and when recovery is not possible, a victim must learn new ways of functioning and living their lives. This can mean constant physical therapy, integration of medical equipment, and/or prosthetics to help them gain independence and functionality. All of these needs come at a high cost and in many cases, a victim of these accidents will continue to have complications and issues that arise throughout their life from the injuries of the accident. A motorcycle accident insurance claim or lawsuit can allow you to get the financial backing you need to recover from your losses and move ahead after a crash.
Motorcycle accident compensation through a claim or lawsuit can include losses such as:
- Medical costs
- Loss of income
- Physical, mental, and emotional distress
- Wrongful death
- Repair or compensation for loss of property
When You Should Take the Step to Hire a Tampa Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Your Case
You will need to contact a motorcycle accident as soon as you can after a crash. Understandably, a motorcycle crash may leave many victims unconscious or physically unable to communicate. In these situations, a family member can contact an attorney to discuss the circumstances and how to best protect the rights of their injured family member.
If you can do so yourself, contact a capable attorney immediately after a crash. While you are in the hospital or at home recovering from your injuries, the insurance companies and other parties to your case are moving forward to resolve your claim as quickly as possible. An attorney that represents you will protect you through each step.
If you suffer an injury or lose a loved one in a crash, contact a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer at Perenich Law Injury Attorneys. We will provide you with a free legal consultation to help you decide how to best move forward as you seek recovery for your losses, injuries, and damages.
(727) 669-2828