Though convenient and thrilling, motorcycle riders are completely exposed to the road. When hit, they often suffer severe, life-altering injuries. And as a tourist location, drivers unfamiliar with Tampa roads can increase the likelihood of incidents.
If you have been injured in a high-speed wreck while riding or are helping a family member or loved one after their accident, ourTampa motorcycle accident attorneys explain the steps you should take to ensure a healthy recovery and build a strong case for your compensation.
Why High-Speed Motorcycle Crashes Are Especially Complex
Tampa is a major city on Florida’s west coast. With multiple interstate highways, like I-4 and I-75, and historic areas like Ybor City, traffic is a blend of high-speed commutes and casual neighborhoods. When a motorcycle rider is involved in an accident, common causes in Tampa include the following:
- Speeding drivers
- Reckless habits, like texting while driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to yield
- Impaired driving
- Improper signage and road hazards
And as stated above, the injuries that motorcycle accident victims suffer, especially in a high-speed wreck, are often catastrophic. Injuries can include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Broken bones
- Dislocations
- Road rash, lacerations, and burns
These injuries bring long-term consequences with expensive medical treatment, extended periods of recovery, and prolonged rehabilitation, leaving victims out of work for months or indefinitely.
Regretfully, motorcyclists also live with a stigma against them, facing a higher likelihood of disputed fault for their chosen means of travel. As such, insurers are quick to devalue and deny claims to save money for their companies.
But you can fight back.
Immediate Steps After a High-Speed Motorcycle Wreck
Let’s be practical for a minute. Most motorcycle riders involved in a high-speed wreck will not be in a position to do much. However, a family member or loved one can step in and assistafter a motorcycle accident. Here’s what ourTampa personal injury lawyers recommend you do to help your loved one:
- Make sure your loved one sees a doctor: Immediately after the accident, make sure your loved one goes to the hospital for a full examination.
- Check on the police report: The police should have been notified and generated a report; follow up on that to obtain a copy of it for your case.
- Preserve any evidence from the accident: If it is possible, take pictures of the accident scene and the damage to the bike, keep any damaged personal items like their helmet, and start a file on any bills, receipts, and emails related to the accident.
- Do not give a recorded statement: Insurance companies will reach out to your loved one, but do not let them give a recorded statement before you have had a chance to consult with an attorney.
Reaching out to our motorcycle accident lawyers early in the process can help you avoid many costly mistakes.
How Evidence Builds a Strong Motorcycle Accident Case
For a successful claim, we must prove negligence. Negligence has four key elements:
- Duty of care: Drivers, including motorcyclists, have a legal obligation to each other to obey traffic laws and operate their vehicles safely.
- Breach of duty: Through their action or inaction, the at-fault driver has violated their duty to the motorcyclist and placed them in danger.
- Causation: The at-fault driver’s violation leads to an accident and injures the rider.
- Damages: The motorcyclist suffers measurable losses in the form of pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and possibly more.
Our Tampa motorcycle accident lawyers prove these four elements of negligence with evidence.Our legal team can collect and analyze the following evidence:
- Police report providing an unbiased assessment from the responding officer
- Medical records and expert testimony linking injuries to the crash
- Accident reconstruction and skid-mark analysis
- Traffic camera footage, dash cams, and surveillance video
- Witness statements and credibility
Our investigation could point to multiple parties contributing to the accident. UnderFlorida’s modified comparative negligence laws, each party may share in the fault. This degree of fault will reduce the compensation that the party receives.
Insurers are looking for any way to reduce their liability and may try to place a greater degree of fault on the motorcyclist to reduce their payout. A Tampa motorcycle accident attorney can counter any unfair blame with the facts they discover in your case.
Determining Damages in a High-Speed Tampa Motorcycle Accident Case
Part of proving negligence is determining the damages your loved one suffered. Damages typically include such items as the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Medical expenses
- Long-term rehabilitation costs
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
Motorcycle accidents often have higher-than-average damages due to the nature of these accidents, but high-speed collisions can involve even higher losses.
How a Tampa Motorcycle Accident Attorney Strengthens Your Case
In addition to investigating your accident and determining your current losses and future needs, your accident attorney can also provide the following legal services:
- Handling insurance negotiations andlegal deadlines under Florida law
- Working with medical experts and accident reconstructionists
- Preparing the case for trial if settlement negotiations fail
- Protecting your loved one from insurance tactics and lowball offers
You do not have to go through this alone.The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato can help you get the fair compensation your family needs.
Protect Your Rights After a High-Speed Motorcycle Accident
Contact the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato at (844) 643-7200 today. The initial consultation is free, and legal representation is given on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win.
Reach out to our team in Tampa, FL, and learn more about your legal options.