Motorcycle accident
Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in St. Petersburg, Florida
The firms in this guide
- Jeeves Law Group, P.A. Call Jeeves Law Group, P.A.: (727) 894-2929
- Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers Call Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers: (727) 591-3354
- DeLoach, Hofstra & Cavonis, P.A. Call DeLoach, Hofstra & Cavonis, P.A.: (727) 397-5571
- Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner
- Palmer Lopez Civil Trial Attorneys
1. Jeeves Law Group, P.A.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, car accidents, pedestrian accidents, insurance disputes, class action litigation
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents involving motorcycles, intersection motorcycle accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, highway motorcycle accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries from motorcycle collisions, traumatic brain injuries from motorcycle crashes, spinal cord injuries from motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Accident scene investigation, negligence investigation, evidence gathering, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, property damage claims, circuit court mediation
Background: Scott R. Jeeves, Florida Bar No. 905630, licensed since 1991. Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law. Bachelor of Arts from University of Florida. Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer by Florida Bar (distinction held by less than 10% of Florida attorneys). Certified Circuit Court Mediator. AV Preeminent rating by Martindale Hubbell. Super Lawyers selection. Eagle member of Florida Justice Association. Million Dollar Advocates Forum member. Admitted to U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. Member of Pinellas County Bar Association, Hillsborough County Bar Association, and American Bar Association. Over 30 years of legal practice. The firm has served motorcycle accident victims for many years and describes itself as having attorneys who are also riders. Recognized by US News and World Report as “Best Law Firms” for Commercial Litigation (2020, 2021). Over 75 years combined legal experience among all attorneys.
Location: 2100 1st Ave S, Ste 2, St. Petersburg, FL 33712 (Also: Tampa Office at 701 S. Howard Ave., Suite 201, Tampa, FL 33606)
Contact: (727) 894-2929 | (813) 249-2929 | [email protected] | https://www.jeeveslawgroup.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee basis (no recovery, no fee), Spanish-speaking services available
2. Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, boating accidents, aviation accidents, brain injuries, catastrophic injuries, product liability, premises liability, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents involving motorcycles, intersection motorcycle accidents, lane change accidents, drunk driver vs. motorcycle accidents, distracted driver vs. motorcycle accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, highway motorcycle accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries from motorcycle collisions, traumatic brain injuries from motorcycle crashes, spinal cord injuries from motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Accident investigation, negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, appellate practice
Background: Firm founded in 1955, making it Tampa Bay’s oldest personal injury firm. Over 300 years of combined legal experience among all attorneys. Three attorneys hold Board Certification in Civil Trial Law by Florida Bar (distinction held by less than 2% of Florida attorneys). Attorneys admitted to State Courts of Florida, U.S. District Court Middle and Southern Districts of Florida, U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, Florida Supreme Court, and U.S. Supreme Court. Attorneys designated as Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Rising Stars, and Tampa Bay Magazine Top Lawyers. Recovered more than $675 million in settlements and verdicts. Listed in Avvo, Justia, FindLaw, and other legal directories.
Location: 2560 1st Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712 (Also: Clearwater Office at 1875 N Belcher Rd. #201, Clearwater, FL 33765)
Contact: (727) 591-3354 | https://www.usalaw.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee basis (no fee unless recovery is made), home and hospital visits available
3. DeLoach, Hofstra & Cavonis, P.A.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, insurance claims
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents involving motorcycles (a major hazard for motorcyclists), intersection motorcycle accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, drunk driver vs. motorcycle accidents, distracted driver vs. motorcycle accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries from motorcycle collisions
Legal Services: Accident investigation, negligence claims, police report analysis, witness interviews, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Attorney Paul Cavonis is a motorcycle accident trial attorney and personal motorcycle rider with personal experience since age 10. Lifetime member of American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). Has logged over 200,000 miles on various motorcycles including Harley Electra Glide, Triumph, and Honda dirt bikes. Owns multiple motorcycles. Has personal connection to motorcycle accident cases as his brother was killed by a driver making an improper left turn. Firm serves Seminole, Largo, St. Petersburg, and surrounding Pinellas County areas. Serves clients throughout Florida.
Location: Seminole, Florida (serving St. Petersburg and Pinellas County)
Contact: (727) 397-5571 | https://www.dhclaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available day or night, contingency fee basis (no fees or costs unless there is a recovery, all costs advanced)
4. Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents involving motorcycles, intersection motorcycle accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, head-on motorcycle collisions, drunk driver vs. motorcycle accidents, distracted driver vs. motorcycle accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries from motorcycle collisions, traumatic brain injuries from motorcycle crashes, spinal cord injuries from motorcycle accidents, road rash injuries
Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence collection, negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, property damage claims
Background: Over 60 years of combined experience in personal injury law among firm attorneys. Recovered millions of dollars in compensation for clients. Attorneys work directly with clients and are available to answer questions and provide case updates. Firm operates on contingency fee basis.
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Contact: https://www.salterhealy.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis (no legal fees unless case is won)
5. Palmer Lopez Civil Trial Attorneys
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injury
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents involving motorcycles, intersection motorcycle accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, drunk driver vs. motorcycle accidents, distracted driver vs. motorcycle accidents, uninsured motorist claims, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries from motorcycle collisions, traumatic brain injuries from motorcycle crashes, spinal cord injuries from motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Accident investigation, negligence claims, at-fault driver liability claims, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Firm provides direct attorney-client communication with promise that clients can reach their attorney without navigating layers of support staff. Achieved significant settlements and verdicts for injured motorcyclists across Florida. Attorneys handle cases through trial when necessary. Client testimonials highlight responsiveness, knowledge, and empathetic approach.
Location: St. Petersburg, FL (serving Tampa Bay area and all of Florida)
Contact: https://palmerinjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, direct communication with attorney throughout case
Helmet Rules, Shared Fault and Pinellas Public Claims for St. Petersburg Motorcycle Crashes
A St. Petersburg motorcycle crash claim begins with Florida’s helmet statute and its exceptions. Fault is then divided party by party, and a claim involving a city, county or state vehicle or road follows sovereign immunity rules with their own caps and deadlines.
Helmets and Their Exceptions
Florida Statutes 316.211(1) requires securely fastened headgear meeting Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard 218. The section does not apply under (3)(a) to persons in an enclosed cab or to a person 16 or older on a qualifying 50cc motorcycle, and under (3)(b) a person over 21 covered by at least $10,000 in motorcycle crash medical benefits may ride without headgear. The PIP statutes do not reach the motorcycle itself: 627.732(3) limits “motor vehicle” to self-propelled vehicles with four or more wheels.
Fault Divided by Party
Under Florida Statutes 768.81(2) and (3), the rider’s own fault reduces economic and noneconomic damages proportionately, and each defendant is liable only for its percentage of fault. Under 768.81(6), a party more than 50 percent at fault for their own harm may not recover.
Claims Against the City or County
Florida Statutes 768.28(5)(a) makes public entities liable as private persons would be, without punitive damages or prejudgment interest, up to $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident absent further legislative act. The written claim is due within 3 years after accrual under (6)(a), and suit within 4 years under (14).
Reporting the Crash
Florida Statutes 316.065(1) requires a driver involved in a crash with injury or death, or property damage of at least $2,000, to give immediate notice to the local police department in a municipality, or otherwise to the sheriff or nearest Florida Highway Patrol station.
St. Petersburg Motorcycle Accident Questions
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, unless your share is greater than 50 percent. For example, imagine $100,000 in damages and 25 percent of the fault on the rider: the recovery would be $75,000.
How long do I have to sue the other driver?
Two years under Florida Statutes 95.11(5)(a) for an action founded on negligence; wrongful death also carries two years under 95.11(5)(e).
What limits apply to punitive damages?
Under Florida Statutes 768.73(1), the greater of three times compensatory damages or $500,000, rising to four times or $2 million in listed financial-gain cases, with no cap where there was a specific intent to harm.