1. Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney and Hobbs P.A.
Practice Focus: Personal injury law, motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, workers’ compensation
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, rear-end accidents, intersection crashes, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver collisions, wrongful death from motorcycle crashes, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, accident investigation, evidence gathering, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation
Background: Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney and Hobbs P.A. has served Florida for more than 35 years. The firm has handled more than 10,000 cases, and collectively the attorneys have more than 100 years of legal practice experience. The attorneys are graduates of the Florida State University College of Law and possess in-depth knowledge of Florida’s motor vehicle and insurance laws.
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Contact: https://www.toomuchatstake.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available, contingency fee arrangement
2. Shapiro Law Firm, P.A.
Practice Focus: Personal injury law, motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, intersection crashes, failure to yield accidents, distracted driver collisions, speeding accidents, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Free consultation, accident investigation, evidence gathering, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation
Background: Paul A. Shapiro has been practicing personal injury law in Tallahassee for over 25 years. The firm has experience handling motorcycle accident cases and understands the unique facts and circumstances of these cases, including the severe injuries often sustained by motorcyclists.
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Contact: (850) 629-7226 | https://www.tallahasseeinjurylawyer.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
3. Akbar Thomas Law Firm, PA
Practice Focus: Personal injury law, motorcycle accidents, car accidents, premises liability, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, intersection crashes, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver collisions, road hazard accidents, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, incapacitating injuries
Legal Services: Free consultation, accident investigation, evidence gathering, insurance claim analysis, negotiations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation
Background: Akbar Thomas Law Firm is a Tallahassee-based firm committed to helping North Florida-area clients receive compensation for motorcycle accident injuries. The attorneys are well-versed in Florida’s motor vehicle and insurance laws and skilled at deconstructing motorcycle accident scenes to determine fault. The firm has a working relationship with insurance company representatives and a reputation for successfully securing compensation through courts when necessary.
Location: Tallahassee, FL (serving North Florida)
Contact: https://akbarthomas.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
4. Searcy Denney Tallahassee
Practice Focus: Personal injury law, motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, rear-end accidents, intersection crashes, left-turn accidents, head-on collisions, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, permanent disability cases
Legal Services: Free consultation, accident investigation, evidence collection, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation, wrongful death representation
Background: Searcy Denney has experience achieving effective results through negotiation and in court and understands how to fight insurance company tactics. The firm represents motorcycle accident victims throughout the Tallahassee region. In 2024, Florida reported 9,442 motorcycle accidents with 582 deaths, and the firm has experience handling these complex cases.
Location: Towle House, 517 N. Calhoun St., Tallahassee, FL 32301
Contact: (888) 549-7011 | https://www.searcylaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation and case evaluation available, no recovery no fee
5. The Pelham Law Firm
Practice Focus: Personal injury law, motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, intersection crashes, negligence accidents, reckless driving crashes, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, road rash injuries, broken bones
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, accident investigation, evidence gathering, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation, property damage claims
Background: The Pelham Law Firm has been handling accident cases of all kinds for more than 20 years, including motorcycle accidents. The firm understands that motorcycle victims are more exposed to danger than other vehicles on the roads and works to protect the rights of injured riders.
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Contact: https://www.pelhamlaw.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available, contingency fee arrangement
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Florida
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (changed from four years under recent Florida law).
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death: Two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Fault System: Florida is a fault-based state for motorcycle accidents. Unlike automobiles, motorcyclists are not covered by Florida’s no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) system and must pursue compensation through traditional liability claims.
Comparative Negligence: Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system. Under recent legislative changes, an injured motorcyclist can recover damages only if their fault is 50% or less. If the motorcyclist is more than 50% at fault, they are barred from recovery. Damages are reduced by the motorcyclist’s percentage of fault.
No-Fault Insurance and Motorcycles: Florida’s no-fault auto insurance law (requiring Personal Injury Protection coverage) does not apply to motorcycles. Motorcyclists are exempt from the PIP requirement, which means they cannot rely on their own PIP coverage after an accident. Instead, they must pursue compensation through the at-fault driver’s liability insurance or a personal injury lawsuit.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: Florida does not require motorcyclists to carry liability insurance, but riders are financially responsible for damages they cause. However, motorcyclists who want to ride without a helmet (if over 21) must carry at least $10,000 in medical benefits coverage.
Helmet Laws: Florida has a partial helmet law. All riders under 21 years of age must wear DOT-approved helmets. Riders 21 and older may ride without a helmet if they carry at least $10,000 in medical insurance coverage that provides benefits for injuries incurred from a motorcycle accident.
Eye Protection Requirements: Eye protection is required for all motorcycle operators in Florida, unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen.
Lane Splitting Laws: Lane splitting is illegal in Florida. Motorcyclists must occupy a full lane and follow the same traffic laws as other vehicles.
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: Riders must have a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license or a motorcycle-only license. To obtain the endorsement, riders must pass a written test and a riding skills test, or complete a motorcycle safety course approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Motorcycle Equipment Requirements: Motorcycles must have working headlights, taillights, brake lights, mirrors (at least one rearview mirror), turn signals, horns, and mufflers. Motorcycles must have properly functioning brakes.
Passenger Requirements: Motorcycles carrying passengers must have footrests for passengers.
Speed Laws: Motorcyclists are subject to the same speed restrictions as other vehicles. Any speed in excess of posted limits is evidence of unreasonable driving.
Damage Caps: Florida does not cap compensatory damages in most personal injury cases. Punitive damages may be awarded for gross negligence or intentional misconduct, subject to certain statutory limitations.
Wrongful Death Claims: Surviving family members, including spouses, children, parents, and dependents, may file wrongful death claims within two years of the date of death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Florida?
A: In Florida, you have two years from the date of your motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline was recently changed from four years under Florida’s 2023 tort reform legislation. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is also two years from the date of death. Missing these deadlines will almost certainly result in the court dismissing your case. Given the shortened timeframe and the complexity of motorcycle accident cases, consulting with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident is advisable to protect your rights.
Q: Does Florida’s no-fault insurance system apply to motorcycle accidents?
A: No, Florida’s no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance system does not apply to motorcyclists. While automobile drivers are required to carry PIP coverage and must seek compensation from their own insurer regardless of fault, motorcyclists are exempt from this requirement. This means that after a motorcycle accident, you cannot rely on PIP coverage to pay your medical bills. Instead, you must pursue compensation through the at-fault driver’s liability insurance or through a personal injury lawsuit. This makes motorcycle accident claims in Florida different and often more challenging than typical auto accident claims.
Q: Do I have to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle in Florida?
A: Florida has a partial helmet law. All motorcycle riders and passengers under 21 years of age must wear DOT-approved helmets at all times. If you are 21 or older, you may legally ride without a helmet, but only if you carry at least $10,000 in medical insurance coverage that provides benefits for motorcycle accident injuries. However, even if you are legally permitted to ride without a helmet, not wearing one can significantly increase your risk of head injuries and may potentially affect your compensation claim if you suffer head injuries in an accident.
Q: How does Florida’s comparative negligence rule affect my motorcycle accident claim?
A: Florida recently adopted a modified comparative negligence system. Under this rule, you can recover compensation for your injuries only if your fault in the accident is 50% or less. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any damages. If your fault is 50% or less, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 30% at fault for an accident and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $70,000. Insurance companies often try to assign blame to motorcyclists, so having an experienced attorney to protect your interests is important.
Q: What compensation can I recover after a motorcycle accident in Tallahassee?
A: Florida law allows motorcycle accident victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, motorcycle repair or replacement costs, and rehabilitation expenses. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring and disfigurement, and loss of consortium. If a loved one died in a motorcycle accident, surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and loss of guidance and nurturing. In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may also be available.