Were you or a loved one injured in a motorcycle accident in the Bayshore or the Tampa area? If another driver’s negligent or reckless actions caused your accident, you can hold them legally liable and seek compensation for your losses.
A Bayshore motorcycle accident lawyer with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help you pursue awards for your medical bills, lost wages, and more. Our legal team has helped get justice for personal injury victims just like you since 2006. We are here to stand by your side and fight for a fair insurance settlement or verdict. You can explore your legal options during a free consultation today.
Motorcyclists Are at a Greater Risk for Injury Than Passenger Vehicle Drivers
The sunny weather and scenic views in Bayshore and surrounding Hillsborough County make it an attractive location for motorcyclists. However, while motorcycle riding can be a fun and thrilling hobby, it can also be dangerous. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were 579 motorcycle crashes and 32 motorcycle fatalities in Hillsborough County in 2020.
Furthermore, when cars and motorcycles collide, the motorcyclist does not have the same protections as the occupants of the enclosed vehicle. For this reason, the motorcycle rider is much more vulnerable to serious and fatal injuries. In fact, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), per mile traveled, motorcycle deaths exceed vehicle occupant deaths by nearly 30 times.
We Pursue Damages for Various Kinds of Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Our attorneys can assist you if you or a loved one suffered a severe or fatal motorcycle accident injury, including:
- Cuts, bruising, and lacerations (road rash)
- Loss of limb
- Paralysis
- Back, neck, or spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
Who Is Financially Responsible for Your Motorcycle Accident?
According to the FLHSMV, Florida law grants motorcyclists the same rights and privileges as operators of other types of motor vehicles. Cars and trucks must share the road with motorcycles and should:
- Maintain a safe traveling distance when behind a motorcycle. The FLHSMV recommends at least a 4-second buffer zone with a longer length during bad weather.
- Never share a lane with a motorcycle. Motorcycles have the right to an entire lane.
- Allow a safe distance of more than a few feet when passing a motorcycle.
- Pay extra attention to the presence of motorcycles at intersections, when changing lanes, or when making a left-hand turn.
Additionally, all vehicle operators should always obey basic road rules, such as traveling the speed limit and stopping at traffic lights. If the driver who caused your accident was breaking traffic laws or otherwise acting negligently behind the wheel, they should compensate you for your damages.
Other Potentially Liable Parties
Drivers do not cause all motorcycle accidents. Sometimes, vehicle problems or even roadway issues can cause a crash. If a mechanical problem with your motorcycle or another vehicle contributed to your accident, you may have a case against a vehicle or auto parts manufacturer.
Examples of roadway issues that could lead to an accident include poor lighting, obstructed road signs, broken traffic lights, or dangerous road design. These problems could indicate negligence on the part of the private owner or government entity in charge of the road.
Our lawyers will investigate your case and identify all liable parties. We will pursue a claim or lawsuit against those responsible before the four-year statute of limitations for personal injury outlined in Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a) expires.
What Damages Can You Pursue From the Liable Party?
If you did not cause your accident, you should not have to suffer the financial burden of the resulting medical bills and other related expenses. Our lawyers can help you recover your damages, including:
Medical Bills, Lost Wages, and Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses
You can seek reimbursement for your medical bills, as well as your future accident-related medical treatment. This may include awards for:
- Emergency transportation
- Emergency department care
- Surgeries
- Hospitalizations
- Medical travel expenses
- Physical and cognitive therapy
- Medical equipment
- Medications
- In-home health services
Our Bayshore motorcycle accident lawyers will also help you seek compensation for other accident costs, including:
- Lost pay due to your injuries and recovery
- Loss of your future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your job
- Motorcycle repairs or your vehicle’s fair market value if the damages result in a total loss
- Medically required home renovations, such as the addition of ramps or stairlifts
- The cost of household services you cannot perform because of your injuries, such as housekeeping, cooking, and childcare
Compensation for Your Pain and Suffering
Our Bayshore motorcycle accident lawyer will help you pursue awards for the ways your injuries have affected your physical, mental, and emotional health. For example, your injuries may leave you with chronic pain, limited mobility, or the inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed.
Your accident can also take a mental and emotional toll, resulting in conditions like depression, anxiety, and insomnia. We will help you pursue a fair sum for how the accident negatively impacted your quality of life.
Compensation for a Loved One’s Wrongful Death
If your loved one died from a motorcycle accident injury, a representative of their estate can seek awards on behalf of the estate and surviving family members. These awards may include compensation for funeral and burial costs, medical bills, the value of the deceased’s wages, and surviving family members’ pain and suffering. You have two years to pursue a wrongful death action according to Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(d).
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine is Here to Help You Seek Justice
You do not have to handle your insurance claim or lawsuit alone after a motorcycle accident. We can take care of every aspect of your Bayshore motorcycle injury case, from filing your initial insurance claim to representing you in court if necessary.
We will gather evidence, build your case, and secure a favorable settlement or verdict possible for you. Call us today at 1-800-747-3733 for a free consultation.
We Can Help.
