Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Hancock Law Firm, P.A.
Motorcycle laws and automobile laws are significantly different in Florida. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important that you understand your rights and that your attorney accounts for these differences in helping you recover compensation.
Trial lawyers Mike Hancock and Claire Hancock have represented personal injury victims for more than 20 years. They are knowledgeable about the unique legal and insurance issues in motorcycle accidents. Contact us today to ensure your rights are protected. Hancock Law Firm serves Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Land O' Lakes, Lutz, Wesley Chapel, Lakeland, all communities of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties, and all of Florida.
Motorcycle Insurance Issues and Florida Motorcycle Laws
In Florida, motorcycle owners cannot purchase personal injury protection, also known as PIP or no-fault insurance. This means that you are not entitled to first-party benefits after a crash, such as medical and wage loss benefits. This can be a financial hardship and a barrier to quality medical treatment if you do not have other health insurance or disability insurance. We can help clients find solutions to bridge this gap until a settlement is reached.
On the positive side, Florida law does not restrict an injured motorcyclist or passenger from recovering damages for pain and suffering. (Car accident victims must meet the criteria for "permanent injury" to receive any compensation for pain and suffering).
There are other considerations unique to motorcycles that can affect your ability to collect damages:
- Florida courts have not ruled whether a motorcycle owner can "stack" insurance coverage from other vehicles he or she owns, as the law allows in car accidents.
- The courts have not decided whether private health insurers can claim subrogation against a motorcycle accident settlement. (This would be unfair because motorcyclists are not able to purchase PIP insurance.)
- An insurance adjuster would never ask car accident victims why they weren't wearing a helmet. In a motorcycle accident, the defense can argue that failure to wear a motorcycle helmet amounts to comparative negligence (i.e., blame the victim.)
• Also see our Motorcycle Accident FAQ
Hillsborough County Motorcycle Injury Lawyer
The most obvious way that motorcycle accidents differ from car wrecks is the severity of injuries. A motorcycle crash is much more likely to result in catastrophic injury or fatality. That alone is reason to hire a lawyer with a strong record of verdicts and settlements in these cases.
Contact the Hancock Law Firm for a free case evaluation and explanation of your rights. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 888-975-1110 (toll free) or 813-915-1110 . You can also reach us by e-mail.
