Tampa Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Florida is second to California in the number of motorcycle registrations in the country. In fact, California has more than 200,000 more motorcycles than Florida. Yet Florida motorcycle riders experience more fatalities than any other state, including California. Of the 5,000-plus motorcycle accident deaths that occur nationally each year, more than ten percent happen in Florida.
Safety studies show that motorcycle riders are astonishingly 28 times more likely to die in a crash than passenger vehicle occupants. In Florida, where motorcycles make up just three percent of total vehicle registrations, motorcyclists account for 20% of all vehicle accident deaths. Many thousands more are injured in Florida motorcycle crashes annually as well.
Countless numbers of Florida bikers cherish the freedom and fun of taking their bikes out on the open road, and they know there are no substitutes to experience and attention when it comes to motorcycle safety. They also know that no matter how skilled or careful riders they are, they won’t always be able to protect themselves from the negligent, reckless or aggressive actions of the larger, heavier cars and trucks that vastly outnumber them on the road.
When motorcycle accidents happen because of another driver’s negligence, whether resulting in personal injury or wrongful death, the Tampa motorcycle accident attorneys at Greco & Wozniak, P.A. step in to help accident victims and their families hold negligent drivers accountable for the harm they have inflicted by their actions. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle crash in Tampa, call Greco & Wozniak, P.A. for a free consultation regarding your options for recovering compensation from the negligent driver who caused the accident.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents
The leading causes of motorcycle accidents in Tampa include the following:
- Drivers making a left turn, usually at an intersection, into the path of an oncoming bike. Drivers either don’t check for an oncoming motorcycle before turning, or they misjudge the bike’s speed and distance.
- Distracted drivers who don’t see, notice or watch out for motorcycles in their vicinity before changing lanes, turning or making an unsafe driving maneuver.
- Road hazards from defects in the road, such as potholes, loose gravel and sand blown onto the road from nearby construction zones, or unsecured debris falling from a truck.
- Drivers who don’t check their blind spots or signal before turning or changing lanes. It’s important to check blind spots every time to avoid hitting a vehicle, but due to their smaller size, it’s often a motorcycle that goes unnoticed if the driver doesn’t take the reasonable precaution of checking blind spots.
- Passengers of parked cars who carelessly open their doors into the traffic lane without considering whether a motorcycle is approaching.
- Drunk drivers. In the majority of fatal motorcycle crashes, at least one of the drivers had alcohol in their system.
- Inexperienced riders. The accident might not be their fault, but newer riders lack the experience to respond and react appropriately to another driver’s negligent or unsafe maneuver to avoid a crash.
Motorcycle Riders Don’t Get No-Fault Benefits
Injured car riders can get a significant portion of their medical bills and lost wages paid through their Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, regardless of whether or not they were at fault in causing the accident. Motorcycle riders, on the other hand, are not covered by Florida’s no-fault insurance laws and can’t get PIP coverage. Instead, injured motorcyclists have to file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company, and possibly file a lawsuit, to get financial compensation for the harm inflicted on them.
While the lack of no-fault benefits means motorcycle accident victims have to work harder to get compensation, they are also able to access a wider range of damages than no-fault insurance provides, including payment for all of their medical expenses and lost wages plus pain and suffering damages. The dedicated and experienced Tampa motorcycle accident attorneys at Greco & Wozniak know how to prepare and present a strong case that proves the other driver’s liability and the amount of damage they have caused. Whether negotiating a settlement with the other driver’s insurance company or taking them to court, you can count on us to help you get the monetary support you need and deserve after getting hurt in a motorcycle crash in Tampa.
Get the Help You Need After a Tampa Motorcycle Accident
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a Tampa motorcycle crash, call the motorcycle accident attorneys of Greco & Wozniak, P.A. at 813-223-7849. Your consultation is free, and our fees come from the settlement or verdict we win for you. No recovery, no fee, so call today to find out how we can help and get started on your road to recovery.
