Learning how to be a safe driver for motorcyclists, especially in a city as energetic as Tampa, FL, goes a long way in reducing the risk of such accidents and their financial consequences. Nevertheless, when crashes occur, a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer from Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers can help riders hold negligent drivers responsible.
Our attorneys have 15 years of experience and have recovered millions of dollars in damages. We can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Call (813) 800-0810 or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
How Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After A Motorcycle Accident In Tampa, FL
In the event that you are injured in a motorcycle crash caused by someone else’s actions on the road, our Tampa personal injury lawyers will do the following to help you:
- Review your situation and advise you of your legal options
- Gather health records, accident reports, and other documents relevant to your case
- Fight the insurance adjuster for a fair resolution to your insurance claim
- Take the at-fault driver to court if we cannot settle your claim
A motorcycle accident in Tampa, Florida, can result in significant financial costs and losses due to the severe injuries that often occur. With that in mind, do not hesitate to contact Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers and schedule a free consultation with one of our Tampa motorcycle accident attorneys. We’ll discuss your crash and the compensation we can seek for your injury-related losses.
Motorcycle Accidents In Tampa
Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous metro areas for motorcyclists. According to Florida’s Crash Dashboard, 585 motorcycle accidents occurred in the county in 2023, resulting in 39 deaths and 483 non-fatal injuries.
The state’s annual Crash Facts report describes the most common violations that lead to traffic crashes. Although the statistics provided in the report are not limited to motorcycle crashes, the following violations often underlie collisions with motorcyclists as well:
- Operating in a careless manner
- Speeding
- Failing to yield
- Following too closely
For example, since motorcycles are smaller than the majority of traditional vehicles, many drivers do not expend the extra time and effort to look for them. Moreover, a phenomenon called inattentional blindness causes drivers to operate on “autopilot,” missing motorcycles even when they’re in plain sight.
Another common cause of accidents is a misjudgment of a motorcycle’s speed or distance. Since the human brain estimates speed and distance by perceiving the change in an object’s relative size, it often has difficulty doing so when a small, fast-moving motorcycle is the subject.
Driving Safely Around Motorcycles
Increasing your focus can make you a safer driver for motorcyclists, as many motorcycle accidents result from driver inattention.
In particular, increased attention in the following areas can substantially reduce the risk of crashes:
Changing Lanes
Many drivers get lazy when switching lanes. They may use their mirrors to check the adjacent lane or simply maneuver without even looking. That, of course, is a risky driving behavior that can result in sideswipe collisions or near misses with motorcycles, which are particularly risky for riders.
A collision can knock a rider over, and even a near miss can cause a rider to swerve into another lane or off the road. In either case, the rider risks serious injuries to the limbs and head when they hit the road.
You can avoid these types of crashes by checking your blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes. Even an attentive driver can lose track of the vehicles around them, after all, but checking your blind spots will help you avoid sideswiping a motorcycle.
Making Left Turns
One of the most common motorcycle crash types is a left-turn-across-path (LTAP) collision, which occurs when a driver turns left across the path of an oncoming motorcycle.
The result is often a side-impact collision, in which the motorcycle slams into the side of the car (or the vehicle knocks the motorcycle sideways). In either case, these crashes can cause serious or fatal injuries.
You can avoid intersection accidents by looking for motorcycles before turning. If you see one approaching, pause to ascertain its speed and distance before turning ahead of it.
Pulling Out Of Driveways And Parking Lots
Drivers pulling out of driveways and parking lots are often in a rush to get back onto the road, which means they’re more likely to miss approaching pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles. To avoid hitting these vulnerable parties, stop before entering the road and look for smaller road users before pulling out.
Contact Our Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
The liability for motorcycle accidents in Tampa often falls on a careless driver. Our Tampa motorcycle accident attorneys will stand by you fight for your rights. Contact Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to learn how we can help you pursue financial compensation from the driver responsible for causing your motorcycle crash injuries.
