--- title: "Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer | Hancock Injury Attorneys" description: "Hurt in a Tampa Bay motorcycle crash? We push back on rider bias, find every source of coverage, and charge no fee unless we win. Call (813) 915-1110." url: "https://novacock.carlosarias.com/practice-areas/motorcycle-accidents" --- Practice Areas # Motorcycle Accidents How Florida motorcycle claims work: left-turn crashes, bias against riders, the helmet law, the insurance gaps riders face, and how we build a strong case. [Call (813) 915-1110](tel:+18139151110) [Free Case Consultation](/contact/) ## Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Who Stand Up for Riders Riders get the worst of almost every collision, and then many face a second problem: adjusters and jurors who assume the motorcyclist must have been speeding or reckless. We represent riders across Tampa Bay who were hurt by careless drivers, and we build every case to answer that bias with evidence. ## The Crash Riders Fear Most: The Left Turn The classic motorcycle crash happens at an intersection. A driver turns left across oncoming traffic and pulls directly into a rider's path, then says afterward that they "never saw" the motorcycle. That is not a defense. A driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic, and motorcycles are traffic. Other common causes include: - Drivers changing lanes into a rider in their blind spot - Rear-end impacts in stop-and-go traffic - Distracted, impaired, or speeding drivers - Road hazards such as potholes, debris, and poorly maintained pavement - Defective motorcycle parts, which can support a product liability claim On busy roads like Dale Mabry Highway, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, US-19, and SR 54, a moment of driver inattention can change a rider's life. ## Pushing Back on Bias Against Riders Insurance adjusters know that some people hold negative views of motorcyclists, and they use it. Expect arguments that you were speeding, weaving, or hard to see. Florida reduces your recovery by your percentage of fault and bars recovery if you are found more than 50% at fault (section 768.81), so every point of blame an insurer can pin on you comes straight off your claim. We answer with evidence: scene photographs, witness statements, the crash report, damage patterns, nearby business or traffic camera video, and accident reconstruction when it is needed. Florida does not allow lane splitting, so we also look closely at lane position, because the insurer certainly will. ## Florida's Helmet Law and Your Claim Under section 316.211, riders over 21 may ride without a helmet if they carry at least $10,000 in medical benefits insurance. Not wearing a helmet does not by itself bar your claim. Insurers may still argue that a helmet would have reduced a head injury and try to cut your recovery on that basis, which is why medical evidence about how each injury happened matters. ## Insurance Gaps Every Rider Should Know About Motorcycle claims differ from car claims in one important way. Florida does not require motorcyclists to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), and the PIP on a car policy generally does not cover injuries you suffer while riding a motorcycle. That means riders usually rely on other sources for medical bills, such as health insurance, any medical payments coverage on the motorcycle policy, and the at-fault driver's liability insurance. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is optional in Florida (section 627.727), but for riders it is often the most important coverage of all, because serious injuries can quickly exceed an at-fault driver's limits. If you have been hurt, send us your declarations pages and we will track down every available source of coverage. ## Injuries and What a Claim Can Cover Without a steel frame, seat belts, or airbags, riders often suffer road rash, multiple fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and amputations. A claim may seek past and future medical care, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent disability or disfigurement, and damage to your bike and gear. Some of our motorcycle case results: - $1.1 Million: Motorcycle Accident in Citrus County, FL. Our client was injured while riding his motorcycle, resulting in a below-the-knee amputation. - $950,000: Motorcycle Accident in Clearwater, FL. Another rider collided with our client on the Bayside Bridge, causing a traumatic brain injury and multiple orthopedic injuries. The initial offer was $0. - $500,000: Motorcycle Accident in Mount Dora, FL. An improper left turn caused multiple rib fractures, a collapsed lung, and multiple low-back vertebrae fractures. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ## What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash Get medical care right away, even if adrenaline is masking pain. Call police so there is a crash report, photograph the scene, your bike, and your gear, and get contact information for witnesses. Do not repair or throw away the motorcycle or helmet until they have been documented. Avoid recorded statements to the driver's insurer. Keep the deadline in mind too. For most crashes on or after March 24, 2023, Florida generally allows two years to file a lawsuit, and exceptions can make that window shorter. ## Talk to a Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer You should not have to fight an insurer's assumptions about riders while you are recovering from serious injuries. You will meet with an attorney, not a case manager, and we bring in accident reconstruction and medical professionals when a case calls for it. We handle the investigation, the insurance companies, and the paperwork on a contingency fee, with no fee unless we recover money for you. Call (813) 915-1110, day or night, or reach out online for a free consultation by phone, video, or at your home. ### Riders Deserve a Fair Shake Don't let an adjuster's assumptions about motorcyclists decide what your case is worth. Call (813) 915-1110 for a free consultation with an attorney, 24/7. [Free Case Consultation](/contact/) [(813) 915-1110](tel:+18139151110) ## Serving Injured Riders Across Tampa Bay We represent motorcyclists hurt throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas, and Citrus counties, from New Tampa and Lutz to Brooksville and Hudson. - Tampa - Carrollwood - Northdale - Lutz - Town ’n’ Country - Brandon - Temple Terrace - New Tampa - Wesley Chapel - Land O’ Lakes - Zephyrhills - Odessa - Spring Hill - Brooksville - Hudson - New Port Richey - Hillsborough County - Pasco County - Hernando County ## Frequently Asked Questions Can I recover compensation if I wasn't wearing a helmet? In many cases, yes. Florida lets riders over 21 ride without a helmet if they carry at least $10,000 in medical benefits insurance, and not wearing one does not by itself bar a claim. The insurer may argue that a helmet would have lessened a head injury, so we gather medical evidence to address that argument. Does PIP cover me if I was hurt on my motorcycle? Generally, no. Florida does not require PIP for motorcycles, and the PIP on a car policy generally does not cover injuries suffered while riding one. Riders usually turn to health insurance, medical payments coverage, UM/UIM coverage, and the at-fault driver's liability insurance. The driver says they never saw me. Does that help their case? No. Drivers have a duty to keep a proper lookout and to yield the right-of-way, including to motorcycles. In left-turn crashes especially, a driver's failure to see an approaching rider is often the very negligence that caused the crash. What if the insurer says I was partly at fault? Florida reduces your recovery by your share of fault, and if you are found more than 50% at fault you generally cannot recover. Insurers often lean on stereotypes about riders to push that percentage up. We use witness statements, video, and reconstruction evidence to show what actually happened. How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim? For most crashes on or after March 24, 2023, Florida generally allows two years to file a negligence lawsuit. Exceptions exist and some deadlines are shorter, such as claims involving government vehicles or dangerous road conditions that require pre-suit notice. Contact us early so video and witness memories can be preserved. ## Related practice areas [### Car Accidents What to do after a Florida car crash, how PIP and the no-fault rules work, and how a former insurance defense attorney protects your claim. Learn more](/practice-areas/car-accidents/)[### Catastrophic Injuries Life-changing injuries call for a claim built around the future: lifetime medical care, lost earning capacity, and the full human cost of the harm. Learn more](/practice-areas/catastrophic-injuries/)[### Wrongful Death Compassionate guidance for Tampa Bay families who lost a loved one through someone else's negligence, so you can grieve while we handle the claim. Learn more](/practice-areas/wrongful-death/) ## Practice Areas - Personal Injury - Car Accidents - Truck Accidents - Motorcycle Accidents - Slip & Fall / Premises Liability - Catastrophic Injuries - Wrongful Death - Boat Accidents - Pedestrian Accidents - Bicycle Accidents - Golf Cart Accidents - Insurance Disputes Speak with our team ### Let’s talk about your next step. - (813) 915-1110 · answered 24/7 - 1317 W Fletcher AvenueTampa, FL 33612 - 2224 Ashley Oaks Circle, Suite 102-EWesley Chapel, FL 33544 - 10485 Heley StreetSpring Hill, FL 34608 - No recovery, no fee [Free Case Consultation](/contact/) [**Mike Hancock**Founding Attorney · Since 1996*Former insurance defense attorney*](/about/attorneys/mike-hancock/) Here when you need us ## Let’s talk about what happened. One conversation. Clear answers. A team that takes your case personally. [Call Hancock Today**(813) 915-1110**](tel:+18139151110) Free consultation No recovery, no fee