Florida Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, consider working with a Florida motorcycle accident lawyer from Eltringham Law Group to claim maximum financial compensation.

Many people love riding motorcycles around Florida. Who doesn’t enjoy the feeling of freedom? But one downside to riding a motorcycle is it can be extremely dangerous. Riders don’t have the shell of a vehicle or steel cage to protect them. Their motorcycles are also much smaller than other vehicles on the road, making them difficult to see. Both drivers and motorcyclists have a responsibility to be careful on the road. Not doing so can result in an accident that causes serious injuries.

Eltringham Law Group are experienced Florida motorcycle accident lawyers and personal injury attorneys with a track record for achieving results on behalf of injured motorcycle riders. Contact our offices to begin your motorcycle injury recovery.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Florida

Motorcycle accidents can occur for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common we see in Florida include:

Violating the rules of the road: Bad drivers that violate the rules of the road greatly increase the risk of a serious motorcycle accident. Especially drivers who are drunk behind the wheel or are distracted, speeding, disobeying traffic signals, and more.

Failure to check blind spots: Because motorcycles are so small, they can more easily fall into a driver’s blind spot. The bad driver may try to get over without seeing them and end up colliding with them or running them off the road.

Door accidents: Drivers are responsible for checking for vehicles before opening their car doors into traffic. However, many fail to do so. This can be particularly dangerous for motorcyclists, leading to “dooring” accidents.

Poor road conditions: Debris, potholes, wet roads, and low visibility can be extremely hazardous for someone driving a motorcycle.

Lane Splitting: Many motorcyclists take advantage of the fact that they are driving small vehicles and weave in and out of lanes. While this can help riders reach their destination faster, it also substantially increases the risk of a motorcycle accident.

Vehicle defects: An accident may be caused by a motorcycle defect or another vehicle. In these instances, the vehicle manufacturer or mechanic may be to blame.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Common motorcycle accident injuries include the following:

  • Road rash
  • Shoulder & knee injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Disc herniations & bulging discs
  • Amputations
  • Broken bones
  • Paralysis
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Head injuries, including concussions
  • Brain Damage (often referred to as TBI)
  • Burns
  • Organ damage
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Florida Motorcycle Insurance Requirements

Florida’s PIP laws only cover owners of motor vehicles with four wheels. Florida PIP insurance (medical expense payments coverage) does not include motorcycles riders or other self-propelled vehicles. That means if you or a family member are involved in a motorcycle accident, you cannot rely on PIP coverage to pay for your medical expenses.

However, the law does allow motorcyclists to pursue bodily injury claims and recover medical expenses against the negligent bad drivers & rule violators who hurt them. This includes other drivers, manufacturers, government entities, and more.

Florida’s Motorcycle Laws

It is up to motorcyclists to be careful on the road. If they break the law, they may be found partially or fully responsible for an accident. Which may negatively impact their right of financial recovery against the driver that injured them.

Here are some laws to be aware of when riding.

  • You must have a specific motorcycle license or a driver’s license and motorcycle endorsement to ride.
  • Riders over the age of 21 may operate or ride motorcycles without helmets as long as they’re covered under an insurance policy that offers at least $10,000 in injury benefit protection.
  • Riders under 21 must wear a helmet. Helmet wearing is optional for riders over 21, but it is advisable.
  • Riders of all ages must wear eye protection such as goggles or face shields while operating a motorcycle, even the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield. Sunglasses and prescription glasses are usually not considered adequate to meet the eye protection requirement.
  • Lane splitting is illegal in Florida.
  • Riders can ride no more than two abreast.
  • Wheelies and other stunts are illegal.
  • Riders may not carry passengers unless they have a designated seat for them to sit on.
  • Riders must always have their headlights on.
  • Riders may not listen to devices that interfere with their ability to hear.
  • Bikes must be equipped with mirrors that allow them to see behind them for 200 feet.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Florida

Take immediate steps after being in a motorcycle accident to facilitate your recovery and preserve the strength of your case. These include:

  • Call 911/the Police: It is critical to have local law enforcement come to the scene (even if you have to wait) and document the accident. This is still true for minor motorcycle accidents or if you do not think you’re really injured. Having a police report is absolutely essential for the future success of any motorcycle accident case. On the other hand, not having a police report can often severely prejudice & lower the potential value of your case.
  • Take pictures: If you feel well enough & traffic conditions permit, we strongly recommend that you take pictures of ALL INVOLVED vehicles in the accident to document any damage.
  • Get the contact info of everyone involved: Get the names, license plates, and insurance information of everyone involved in the accident (this is typically done by law enforcement at the scene).
  • Get witness info: Get the name, phone number, street address, and email of ALL uninvolved 3rd party witnesses on the scene.  This is super important because we have had many past motorcycle accident cases where the witnesses are long gone by the time law enforcement arrive on scene. These neutral witnesses can often make or break your motorcycle accident case if the at-fault driver or their insurance company tries to wrongly blame the accident on you.
  • Get prompt medical attention: It’s vitally important to get prompt medical attention as soon as possible after a motorcycle accident. Preferably, by going to the local ER or other urgent care provider immediately after your accident!!! This is true even if you think your injuries weren’t that bad or you’re just a little sore. If you don’t see a medical professional right away and document your related injuries the insurance company will almost always try to falsely claim that you were not injured in the accident even though you clearly were.

Do You Need a Florida Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

If your injuries weren’t that bad, you might assume you can handle a motorcycle injury claim yourself. However, if there is a lot at stake, hiring an experienced motorcycle accident legal team is highly advisable.

Insurance companies pray on and totally take advantage of motorcycle accident victims that go it alone without an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. Often, when you report an accident in Florida potentially worth a lot of money, the insurance company will twist your words to make it seem like the accident was your fault, or they will try to give you as low a payout as possible because of things like your past medical history or falsely claiming that you were speeding when you were not.

The fact is, national studies show that injured victims with motorcycle accident lawyers obtain average net settlements (the amount you take home after medical expenses, attorneys fees & costs) that are at least 3x higher than DYI motorcycle accident victims. But from what we see we think that number is probably much, much higher here in Florida–so whatever you do, DO NOT go it alone or you will pay dearly. Our Florida car motorcycle accident lawyers have decades of experience dealing with insurance companies so you get every penny you’re entitled to under Florida car accident law, NEVER less!!!

Don’t let these unfair tactics prevent you from getting a fair motorcycle accident settlement. Put our lawyers‘ backgrounds in personal injuries involving motorcycle accidents to work for you. We can represent your case from start to finish.

Contact our Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today

Call Eltringham Law Group now if you were injured in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence. We care and fight so that you can move forward with your life after a motorcycle accident. Contact our Florida motorcycle accident lawyers today online or by phone.

Motorcycle Accident Case FAQs

What kind of compensation can I get for my motorcycle accident claim?

The compensation you can get for your claim will vary depending on your personal and professional situation. Still, you may be eligible to collect damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional pain and suffering.

Does it matter if I was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident?

If you were over 21 and not wearing a helmet, it shouldn’t affect your ability to collect damages.

What is the statute of limitations on a motorcycle accident claim?

According to Florida law, you have four years from the date of the accident to file a claim.

What Our Clients Say

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Our clients love the personalized attention we give every case. Read what they have to say:

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5 star review

I usually never leave reviews, good or bad, but for this instance, I most definitely had to. David and Marnie were both AMAZING. They made me feel comfortable and confident in their ability to resolve my case. I was walking in a crosswalk and was hit by a vehicle resulting in having to go to the hospital. I sustained injuries from this that I am still in the midst of dealing with. I contacted the firm and was able to speak with them via zoom immediately. I decided to sign with them on a Monday evening (3 days after my accident) and by Tuesday afternoon (the very next day) my case was settled. And settled for the very max that was able to be obtained. I attribute a lot of this to not only the expertise of the firm, but the relationships that Marnie has built with her experience working as a lawyer within a major insurance provider, which just so happened to be the insurance provider involved in my case. This is incredibly atypical for a case to be settled this quickly, especially with this outcome. It has been two weeks to the day today that my accident has happened and my case has already been resolved. I am blessed and more than happy that I decided to hire this firm. Every case is different, but I can bet that this firm will handle your case with care and the utmost professionalism. I pray I never have to go through a situation like this again, but if I did, I wouldn’t hesitate to call this law firm. Thank you guys very much!!

Shekeara

5 star review

I highly recommend Eltringham Law Group to anyone seeking legal advice after having a car accident. David Eltringham and his entire staff gave me the personal attention I needed during a very difficult and painful time. David took the extra steps needed to ensure that I received the medical care I needed as well as the financial compensation I deserved. Harold Torres, Paralegal updated me every step of the way. Thank you Eltringham Law Group!

Laura Lauri

5 star review

I had such a great experience with Eltringham Law Group! I was always kept in the loop and the experience was so personal. I was always in close contact with Teresa who was an absolute pleasure to work with. I would definitely recommend Eltringham Law Group again and again – I couldn’t have asked for a better experience!!!

Alex Peacock

Recent Case Results

$1.025M

RIDE SHARING

November 2021

$1M

COMMERCIAL TRUCKING ACCIDENT

March 2022

$600K

CAR ACCIDENT WITH MINIMAL VEHICLE DAMAGE

March 2022

$425K

CAR ACCIDENT NO SURGERY

March 2022

Proudly Serving The Entire State of Florida & Beyond

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We’re highly invested in your well-being – you don’t pay for our experience or services unless we get you a settlement. Contact us today to schedule a free review of your case.

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Working With Us

Lighthouse™ is a system unique to Eltringham Law Group – Personal Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, it’s what makes us different from other personal injury attorneys. We built this program to hold our own attorneys accountable and make sure our clients are getting the care and consideration they deserve.

sign up phase 1

Client Onboarding
Client Onboarding

The client meets with our Lighthouse Concierge Team to discuss the details of their potential case. A dedicated Lighthouse Team Member is assigned to the case to gather information and maintain constant communication with the client.

discovery phase 2

Investigation Case Analyzer
Investigation Case Analyzer

The assigned Lighthouse Team Member gathers and assess all information related to the case. A majority of the information is processed, paperwork is submitted and any questions/concerns the Lighthouse Team has for the client are clearly communicated and addressed.

Client Success Maximizer 3

Client Success Maximizer
Client Success Maximizer

The client meets with their Lighthouse Concierge Team Members to conduct a full review and explanation of the process. Both legal and medical records are reviewed and our team sets realistic and achievable expectations for the client.

Phase 1 Medical 4

Phase 1 Medical
Phase 1 Medical

The client is undergoing treatment at this point of the process and the Lighthouse Concierge Team maintains consistent communication to monitor the treatment scheduled. Additional medical referrals and testing may be required at this point if recommended by the current medical provider.

Phase 2 Medical 5

Phase 2 Medical
Phase 2 Medical

The client finalizes initial medical treatments that may include referrals to specialists, medical procedures, further testing and/or additional treatment recommendations by their medical providers.

Resolution or Litigation 6

Resolution or Litigation
Resolution or Litigation

The Lighthouse Concierge Team is in communication with those involved with and/or responsible for the damages incurred in your case. Two possible outcomes at this stage are 1) an achieved settlement agreement or 2) the inability to achieve a fair settlement that will result in the Eltringham Law Group filing a law suit on your behalf.

Post-Settlement Process 7

Post-Settlement Process
Post-Settlement Process

The case has completed and an agreement/resolution has been achieved with maximum in the best interest of the client. The Lighthouse Concierge Team meets with the client to fully explain the results and work diligently to finalize their case.

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