Motorcycle accident
Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Tampa, Florida
The firms in this guide
- Fran Haasch Law Group Call Fran Haasch Law Group: (727) 784-8191
- Hog Law / Law Office of Bradley D. Souders Call Hog Law / Law Office of Bradley D. Souders: (813) 220-7767
- Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers Call Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers: (813) 896-4480
- Bernstein Injury Law (Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys)
- Florin Gray
1. Fran Haasch Law Group
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, personal injury litigation
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection motorcycle accidents, rear-end motorcycle collisions, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, uninsured motorist motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, property damage claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has supported the biker community in Tampa Bay and surrounding areas for over 20 years. Multiple office locations throughout the Tampa Bay area. Experienced motorcycle accident litigators who are not afraid to take cases to trial. Focus on constant legal and medical research to help motorcycle accident victims. Licensed and in good standing with the Florida Bar.
Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida (Multiple Locations)
Contact: (727) 784-8191 | https://www.lawfran.com
Consultation: Free consultations available. Contingency fee arrangement (no cost unless they win).
2. Hog Law / Law Office of Bradley D. Souders
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents exclusively, personal injury for bikers, motorcycle insurance claims, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection motorcycle accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, uninsured motorist motorcycle accidents, underinsured motorist motorcycle accidents, motorcycle total loss claims, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Motorcycle accident investigation, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Bradley D. Souders has practiced law for over 30 years with a focus on motorcycle accidents. AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell (highest peer review rating for skill, knowledge, and reputation). Brad Souders is a lifelong biker with three decades of riding experience. Represents bikers at a reduced rate of 30% plus case costs, rather than the standard 33-40% allowed by Florida law. Handles motorcycle accident cases throughout Florida including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Orlando, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami.
Location: Tampa, Florida (serves all of Florida)
Contact: (813) 220-7767 | [email protected] | https://www.hoglaw1.com
Consultation: Free consultations available. Reduced “Biker Rates” at 30% contingency fee. Hospital, home, and weekend appointments available.
3. Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn motorcycle accidents, rear-end motorcycle collisions, lane change accidents, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver accidents, speeding motorcycle accidents, reckless driver motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, comparative negligence arguments, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, non-economic damage claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Paul Catania has over 30 years of experience in personal injury cases. The firm has 120+ years of combined experience and has won $500 million in damages. AV Preeminent rated. Graduate of University of South Florida (B.A.) and Stetson University (J.D.). Licensed to practice in all Florida courts including the Florida Supreme Court and federal courts. Licensed and in good standing with the Florida Bar.
Location: Tampa, Florida
Contact: (813) 896-4480 | https://www.cataniaandcatania.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation. Contingency fee arrangement.
4. Bernstein Injury Law (Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys)
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection motorcycle accidents, rear-end motorcycle collisions, lane change motorcycle accidents, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver accidents, failure to yield accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence gathering, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims, property damage claims
Background: Jack G. Bernstein has over 40 years of experience protecting the rights of injured individuals. Member of the Florida State Bar Association, Hillsborough Bar Association, and Clearwater Bar Association. Experienced in handling the unique issues involved in motorcycle accident cases. Licensed and in good standing with the Florida Bar.
Location: Tampa, Florida
Contact: https://bernsteininjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation. Contingency fee arrangement.
5. Florin Gray
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, employment law, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection motorcycle accidents, distracted driver motorcycle accidents, negligent driver motorcycle accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims, burial and funeral expense recovery
Background: The firm assembles custom legal teams responsive to the unique needs of each case. Track record of success with a long list of positive client reviews. Experienced in negotiating settlements and arguing cases before judges and juries. Understands that Florida is the fourth most dangerous state for motorcycles. Licensed and in good standing with the Florida Bar.
Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Contact: https://www.floringray.com
Consultation: Free consultations available. Contingency fee arrangement.
Crash Notice, Fault Allocation and Rider Equipment Rules for Tampa Motorcycle Claims
After a Tampa motorcycle crash, Florida law sets an immediate notice duty, a fault rule that divides responsibility party by party, and equipment rules for the rider. Each can shape the claim that follows.
Immediate Notice of the Crash
Florida Statutes 316.065(1) requires the driver of a vehicle involved in a crash resulting in injury or death, or property damage of at least $2,000, to give immediate notice to the local police department if the crash is in a municipality, or otherwise to the sheriff or the nearest Florida Highway Patrol station. A violation is a noncriminal traffic infraction.
Fault Divided Party by Party
Under Florida Statutes 768.81(2) and (3), the claimant’s contributory fault diminishes economic and noneconomic damages proportionately, and judgment is entered against each party on that party’s percentage of fault rather than joint and several liability. A defendant who wants fault assigned to a nonparty must plead it and prove it under (3)(a).
Rider Equipment
Florida Statutes 316.211(1) requires securely fastened headgear meeting Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard 218, subject to the over-21 insurance exception in (3)(b), and (2) requires an operator to wear an approved eye-protective device. Under (4), a person under 16 may not operate or ride a moped without that headgear. Because 627.732(3) limits the no-fault definition to vehicles with four or more wheels, the motorcycle itself carries no PIP requirement; ask an insurer or counsel whether any policy in the household covers a rider’s medical bills.
A Driver Who Leaves
Florida Statutes 316.027(2) requires a driver in a crash resulting in injury or death to stop and remain at the scene; willfully leaving after an injury crash is a third-degree felony, and after a crash causing serious bodily injury a second-degree felony.
Tampa Motorcycle Accident Questions
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, unless your share is greater than 50 percent under Florida Statutes 768.81(6). For example, imagine $80,000 in damages and 45 percent of the fault on the rider: the recovery would be $44,000.
How long do I have to sue?
Two years under Florida Statutes 95.11(5)(a) for an action founded on negligence, and two years under 95.11(5)(e) for wrongful death. If a public vehicle or road was involved, 768.28(6)(a) adds a written injury claim within 3 years after accrual and (14) sets suit within 4 years.
What limits apply to punitive damages?
Florida Statutes 768.73(1) sets 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 the defendant had a specific intent to harm.