Tampa Motorcycle Accident

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Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Serving Tampa, Florida

“I wish I could rate this firm higher than 5 stars because they deserve it. I’ve referred my family here. This is the attorney team you want on your side when in an accident.”

-Sandy Kessler, client review

FL Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Representing Injured Clients in & Around Tampa

Nobody should have to sustain injuries in a motorcycle accident because of another person’s carelessness or recklessness. Yet motorcycle collisions occur with some frequency in Florida, and they often result from another driver’s negligence. If you recently got hurt in a motorcycle wreck, an experienced Tampa motorcycle injury lawyer can discuss your case with you.

Common Causes of Tampa Motorcycle Crashes

Motorcycle crashes can happen for many different reasons, from poor road conditions to driver error. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cites some of the following as frequent causes of motorcycle accidents:

• Motorist fails to see a motorcycle rider in his or her blind spot and changes lanes into that motorcyclist;
• Motorist misjudges a motorcyclist’s distance at an intersection and makes a turn;
• Dooring accident, or when a car driver opens his or her door into an oncoming motorcyclist;
• Alcohol-impaired collisions;
• Distracted driving;
• Inclement weather; and
• Poor road conditions, including slippery roadways or uneven roads.

Possible Injuries in a Tampa Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents can happen almost anywhere in the Tampa area, from high-speed collisions on I-75 or I-275 to crashes that occur on local neighborhood roads or in retail parking lots. Since motorcyclists do not have the protection of an automobile when a wreck occurs, even a low-speed collision can lead to devastating and permanently disabling injuries. The following are examples of the types of injuries that a person can sustain in a motorcycle accident:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
• Broken bones or fractures
• Severe scrapes and road rash
• Contusions
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Facial lacerations and other injuries
• Disfigurement
• Limb amputations

Comparative Fault and the Failure to Wear a Helmet in Tampa

In some motorcycle accident cases, the at-fault party will raise the issue of comparative negligence or comparative fault in order to suggest that the injured party is also responsible for his or her injuries. Florida uses a “pure” comparative fault system. What does this mean? Under Florida’s comparative fault law, an injured plaintiff can still recover damages regardless of whether that plaintiff is anywhere from 1 percent at fault to 99 percent at fault. However, the plaintiff’s total recovery will be reduced by his or her portion of fault. For example, if a plaintiff is awarded $1 million in damages after filing a motorcycle accident claim but the court determines that the plaintiff is 20 percent at fault, that $1 million award will be reduced by 20 percent (or $200,000), and the plaintiff will recover $800,000.

One of the most common reasons that an at-fault party will raise the issue of comparative fault in a motorcycle accident case is the plaintiff’s failure to wear a helmet. If you sustained a traumatic brain injury or another type of head trauma and you were not wearing a helmet, the defendant may be able to prove that you are partially responsible for the severity of your injury. To be clear, even though Florida law does not require most adult motorcyclists to wear a helmet, failing to wear head protection can result in a reduction of your damages award.

Contact a Tampa Motorcycle Injury Attorney

If you or a close family member recently sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle crash in or around Tampa, it is important to discuss your options for seeking compensation with an experienced Tampa motorcycle injury attorney. One of the dedicated personal injury attorneys at Kemp, Ruge & Green Law Group can speak with you about your situation and what steps you may be able to take to seek financial compensation for your losses.

Call us at 1-877-941-4878 or submit a contact form for a free consultation.

Directions to Our Nearest Office

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Why Should I Hire Kemp, Ruge & Green?

It is very easy to describe what Kemp, Ruge & Green Law Group does. Our mission statement says it all. We strive to “relentlessly pursue protecting our clients and improving our community through respect, communication and service.” Put more simply, we help people.

Everything we do is with that singular purpose in mind. If a client has been injured by someone else, we will do everything we can to make sure they get the best possible medical care at little or no expense to them. If a client is going through a divorce, we will vigorously work to help them get everything they need to put the pieces of their life back together and to make sure their rights are protected.

Our firm is unique; we are committed to our community and our clients with a level of legal expertise that is among the highest in the area. In fact, we were featured in Positively Tampa for our efforts.

Our attorneys are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a national group that provides a network for information exchange, local assistance and case referrals to top trial lawyers in America who have won large, complex cases. Fewer than 1% of attorneys nationwide earn this high distinction. We always provide legal representation in your best interests, maintaining open communication lines, and keeping you updated about your case every step of the way.

Regardless of where you live in the Tampa Bay region, including Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, and Hernando Counties, we look forward to helping you make the best of your situation. Many of our attorneys have been acclaimed as among the 1% of all attorneys in the country, and they’re right here in our area, ready to help you.

Common Questions About Truck Accidents in Tampa, FL

• What Are the Types of Damages in a Florida Auto Accident Case?
• The Florida statutes list the damages that are available to you in a Florida car accident case. Some of them include: the bodily injury to your person, your pain and suffering, your mental anguish, all your medical bills and expenses and future medical bills and expenses, inconvenience, disfigurement, scarring and a couple more.

• If I Sue Someone for Damages in an Auto Accident Case, Will I Hurt the Person I Sue?
• If the at-fault party has bodily injury coverage on their auto policy, their insurance company will hire an attorney to defend them. It will not cost them money out-of-pocket for their defense. However, the liability policy that they have will only cover up to the limits of their policy. Any of your damages that exceed those limits would be covered by your uninsured motorist coverage (if you have it) or it could be recovered from the individual personally.

• If My Friend Borrows My Car and Gets in an Accident, Can I Be Sued?
• If you loan your car to a friend, and the friend took your car with your consent, then the injured party of the non-at fault vehicle does have a right to go after the driver of the vehicle as well as the owner.

Living in Tampa

When you live in Tampa, it’s like being on vacation every day of the year. Tampa is one of America’s most popular retirement destinations and has a thriving tourism industry that brings in more than $35 million annually. The city’s 376,300 residents enjoy beautiful beaches, endless entertainment options, a strong job market, and about 250 days of sunshine each year.

Tampa is one of the most socioeconomically diverse areas of Florida and is famous for its cosmopolitan melting pot of varying ethnicity and cultures. It has about a 50/50 balance between renters and home ownership, with a median home value of $217,400 and a median household income of about $50,900.

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Tampa Local Services & Emergency Contact Information

In an emergency, always call 911.

After a motor vehicle crash:

• Florida Highway Patrol – (305) 234-2240
• Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Dial 911
• Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Non Emergency (813) 247-8000
• Tampa Car Accident Lawyer – (877) 941-4878

Fire Department

• Tampa Fire Emergency – Dial 911
• Hillsborough County Fire Rescue – (813) 272-6600
• Hillsborough County Fire Marshal’s Office – (813) 744-5541

Police/Sheriff Departments

• Florida Highway Patrol – (305) 234-2240
• Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Non Emergency (813) 247-8000
• Tampa Car Accident Lawyer – (877) 941-4878

Hospitals

• Tampa General Hospital – (813) 844-7000
• Tampa Community Hospital – (813) 888-7060
• Kindred Hospital Bay Area – (813) 839-6341