Riding a motorcycle can be fun and even exhilarating. But it’s also much more dangerous than driving a vehicle or even riding a bike, according to accident statistics. The fact of the matter is motorcycle accidents in Tampa, Florida are far too common. A motorcycle accident lawyer helps victims navigate the legal process.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you need to know what to do, who to contact, and how to get legal assistance from an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. Read on for information on all these key points.
Frequency of Motorcycle Accidents in Tampa, Florida
There are over 30,000 registered motorcycles in Hillsborough County alone. Due to a combination of factors, including a large number of motorcycles and the excellent year-round weather, the inherent danger of riding a motorcycle, motorcycle accidents are very common throughout Tampa and the rest of Florida.
According to certain statistics, there were an average of nearly 700 motorcycle accidents – which caused 39 fatalities and approximately 150 severe injuries throughout Hillsborough County – from 2017 to 2021.
From January to December 2022, Tampa and Hillsborough County were the sites of 123 serious motorcyclist and motorscooter rider injuries, as well as 45 fatalities.
Simply put, there are several hundred motorcycle accidents per year in Tampa alone, to say nothing of the rest of the Sunshine State. If you ride a motorcycle frequently, you have to be aware of the dangers and ride very safely to avoid experiencing an accident.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
But even if you ride safely, motorcycle accidents can still affect you and your loved ones.
Many motorcycle accidents are caused by the same root causes as car accidents. These causes include:
- Driving or riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving or riding during or after unsafe weather, such as in heavy rainstorms or when there are muddy roads
- Driving or riding when tired or otherwise unfit to be behind the wheel of any motor vehicle
- Driving or riding while distracted, such as while reading one’s phone or while talking to a passenger
In some cases, motorcycle accidents are caused due to the direct negligence of another party. For example, you might be following all the rules of the road, but still get into an accident because a motorist in a car was texting and driving instead of paying attention to your location.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Sadly, many Tampa motorcycle accidents lead to severe and/or debilitating injuries. These can include but are not limited to:
- Broken bones
- Spinal damage, including whiplash or paralysis
- Concussions or other TBIs/traumatic brain injuries
- Road rash
- Cuts and severe lacerations
Many motorcyclists don’t wear full protective gear, such as a helmet, leather, or knee pads, and gloves. Instead, they ride in their street clothes, putting themselves at a much greater risk of sustaining injuries like road rash if they are ever involved in an accident.
Furthermore, many motorcyclists are injured more severely than motorists or others involved in auto accidents as they are less protected than the occupants of enclosed motor vehicles. All else being equal, a motorcyclist will be at a greater risk for severe injuries than a truck driver, for example.
Given the severity of motorcycle accident injuries, many motorcyclists face exorbitant and financially draining medical bills. Many are also forced to take time off work, further straining their finances.
Read more in our blog: When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Tampa, Florida
What to Do After a Tampa Motorcycle Accident
If you are involved in a Tampa motorcycle accident, don’t worry about suing the at-fault party just yet. Get yourself to safety if possible and call emergency services or have someone else do so for you.
It’s important to get yourself checked by medical personnel at the earliest opportunity, even if you think you walked away from the accident unscathed. Some motorcycle accident injuries, such as internal injuries, can stay hidden for some time or not be apparent to laypeople.
A nurse or EMT can examine you and give you a clean bill of health or give you the medical attention you need after a Tampa motorcycle accident.
How Can a Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help?
If you face high medical bills and other expenses from a motorcycle accident, legal representatives may be able to help you recover compensation for those bills if the accident was caused due to someone else’s negligence.
For instance, if a motorist was texting and driving and hit you on the road, they were being negligent by breaching their duty to drive safely. If you can prove their negligence, the motorist or their insurance company could be on the hook to pay for your medical bills and other damages associated with the accident.
That’s where Tampa motorcycle accident lawyers can help. Experienced, knowledgeable lawyers can help by:
- Speaking to eyewitnesses and gathering other evidence to support your case
- Providing you with sound legal counsel from start to finish, as well as advising you on the likelihood of recovering damages through a lawsuit or other legal action
- Representing you throughout the entirety of your case
- Speaking to insurance companies and negotiating with them on your behalf
- And more
It’s difficult enough to recover from injuries often incurred from a motorcycle accident. You shouldn’t have to handle fighting for your rightful damages as well. By hiring Tampa motorcycle accident lawyers, you can focus on getting better.
Contact Hunter Law Today
Motorcycle accidents aren’t always avoidable, even if you are riding safely. If you or a loved one have been injured in a Tampa motorcycle accident, you need to contact trustworthy motorcycle accident lawyers with the experience and expertise to help.
Hunter Law has helped many Tampa residents just like you recover compensation and damages for their injuries and other factors. Furthermore, we operate on a contingency fee policy; that means you don’t owe us a dime unless we recover damages from your legal action.
With our help, you’ll get the damages you need to pay for your medical bills and more. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.