Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Few types of motor vehicle accidents are as devastating as those involving motorcycles. Motorcyclists lack the surrounding protection other types of vehicles have, making them far more likely to suffer critical and life-threatening injuries in a collision.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another party’s misconduct or negligence, you may have grounds for an insurance claim or civil lawsuit. Contact a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers for a free consultation and learn more about how to recover maximum compensation for your damages.

Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents in Tampa

According to QuoteWizard, Florida ranks in the top five states with the highest motorcycle fatalities. In fact, the number of motorcycle fatalities has more than doubled in the past 20 years, according to Ride Smart Florida.

With so many motorcycle accidents occurring, it is important to understand what type of accident you were involved in, as it may help your attorney figure out who is at fault for causing your injuries.

Some of the more common types of motorcycle accident cases our firm has taken on include:

• Sideswipe accidents
• Single motorcycle accidents
• T-bone accidents
• Rear-end collisions
• Multi-vehicle accidents
• Accidents on highways
• Intersection accidents
• Head-on collisions
• Tire blowouts
• Jackknife accidents
• Underride accidents
• Lost load accidents

These are just a few of the different types of motorcycle accidents that can occur in Tampa. If you were involved in another type of motorcycle accident that is not listed above, you could still have grounds for an insurance or civil claim. Explore your legal options further when you contact a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer for help.

Tampa Motorcycle Accident Injuries and When to Sue

Motorcyclists are far more likely to suffer devastating injuries when involved in a collision. This is, in part, because of the fact that they do not have the same protection surrounding them the way other drivers do.

Some of the more common types of injuries you may be able to sue for include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
• Neck injuries and back injuries
• Broken bones
• Emotional trauma including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

These are only a few of the more common types of injuries you could be diagnosed with following a motorcycle accident. With your injuries, it may not be clear to you whether you have the right to file a lawsuit against the liable party.

However, the type of injury you sustained will not determine whether you have grounds for a claim. Instead, your lawyer will need to go over the ways your life has been affected by your injuries to determine whether you have the opportunity to move forward with your case.

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Tampa

Your lawyer will need to know how your motorcycle accident occurred to determine who is responsible for causing your injuries. Here are some of the more common causes of motorcycle accidents across Tampa:

Dangerous road conditions

Government agencies and municipalities are often tasked with ensuring the roads are safe for all motorists. Drivers should be able to trust that road construction zones are properly secured, street signs are replaced, traffic lights are fixed, potholes are repaired, and the roads are otherwise maintained regularly. When road hazards exist, the risk of injury for motorcyclists is catastrophic.

Defective motorcycle parts

It is more common than you might think for motorcycles and other motor vehicles to have defective or malfunctioning parts. When this happens, motorists may be unable to prevent collisions from occurring.

Some of the more common motor vehicle parts that may be or become defective include airbag inflators, tires, fuel brake systems, the engine, and other critical parts.

Negligent driving

Arguably the most common cause of motorcycle accidents, negligent driving can take many forms. Some of the more common types of negligent driving include:

• Failure to drive at or below the speed limit
• Following too closely
• Refusing to stop at a stop sign
• Failure to stop at a traffic light
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Aggressive driving and road rage
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

How to Prove Liability for a Tampa Motorcycle Accident

Proving liability is one of your motorcycle accident lawyer’s most important responsibilities. The type of motorcycle accident you were involved in and the way in which your motorcycle accident occurred will help your attorney determine who is at fault. To prove liability, the elements of negligence will need to be met as follows:

• The defendant must have owed the injured motorcyclist a duty of care.
• The defendant must have made a decision or failed to make a decision, thereby breaching their duty of care.
• The motorcycle accident victim must have suffered damages as a result of the defendant’s breach in their duty of care.

Getting the Most Out of Your Motorcycle Accident Claim

Are you hoping to recover maximum compensation for your motorcycle accident damages? If so, you are not alone. Under the law, you have the right to be made whole. Every single loss should be taken into account when your attorney calculates the value of your claim.

Some examples of damages you could recover in your motorcycle accident claim include:

• Current loss of income and inability or reduced ability to earn a living in the future
• Costs of household maintenance and childcare fees
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering
• Diminished quality of life and loss of consortium
• Emotional trauma and mental anguish
• Property damages and motorcycle repair costs

Call a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Tampa for Help Today

When your motorcycle accident injuries have had a devastating impact on your life, you should not be stuck dealing with the fallout on your own. Although no amount of money will make up for what you have been through, the ease of the financial burden could help you rebuild your life.

Reach out to a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers to start working on your case as soon as today. Our firm is proud to offer no-cost, risk-free consultations to motorcycle accident victims across Tampa and surrounding towns. Claim yours by calling our office or completing our convenient contact form.