JONES LAW GROUPYour Lawyers for Life! Personal Injury Law Firm in St. Petersburg
Injuries and deaths caused by motorcycle accidents in Florida are all too common. With Florida’s ideal climate for outdoor activities, motorists need to be more cautious and less distracted when driving in Florida and always be aware of motorcycles on the road. Speed is also a factor in many motorcycle accidents. Florida leads the nation […]
Call our personal injury law office directly at (727) 512-9847
At Jones Law Group in St. Petersburg, FL, we would like to hear from you. Contact us for a free personal injury case consultation.
Call our personal injury law office at (727) 512-9847
Get educated on the Florida's personal injury laws and more.
Injuries and deaths caused by motorcycle accidents in Florida are all too common. With Florida’s ideal climate for outdoor activities, motorists need to be more cautious and less distracted when driving in Florida and always be aware of motorcycles on the road. Speed is also a factor in many motorcycle accidents.
Florida leads the nation in motorcycle fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclist deaths occur 27 times more frequently than fatalities in other vehicles, and 6 times as likely to be injured (based on 2014 fatal crash data).
Many motorcycle accidents occur when the driver of a car turns left into the path of an oncoming motorcycle. The driver’s excuse is usually, “I did not see the motorcycle.” The injuries in accidents of this type tend to be severe and often fatal. The United States Department of Transportation has conducted several experiments that added additional lighting to the front of motorcycles and none of the lighting treatments tested resulted in a statistically significant change to the visibility of the motorcycle. This means that riders are still their own best defense against distracted drivers. Constant vigilance is the key.
In addition to speed and distracted drivers, Florida’s lack of a mandatory helmet law may also contribute to the high fatality rate of bikers. States with stricter helmet laws have drastically lower motorcyclist deaths. Florida law actually requires riders to wear a helmet, but there is an exception if the rider is over 21 years of age and covered by an insurance policy that provides at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a crash while operating or riding on a motorcycle. Protective eye gear, however, is required by law at all times.
Recently, the Miami Herald released a story of a Florida woman driving on I-95 who captured a video of a man who passed her on a motorcycle, while lying on his back with his bare feet up, using his feet to steer the motorcycle. He was not wearing a helmet or even a shirt. The Miami Herald decided to seek out Jones Law Group’s own Heath C. Murphy regarding motorcycle laws and safety. Murphy told the Herald that he could be cited for several violations, including having his feet up instead of positioned on each side of the bike. In any case, the video depicts a young man behaving in a reckless manner that is exposing himself and others on the road to a significant risk of injury. Most motorcycle riders are more cautious than this one, and take all necessary precautions to ensure their own safety.
The National Safety Council has some tips on motorcycle safety, including:
• Always wear a helmet; although it is not required by the state of Florida, it could mean the difference between life and death
• Be extremely aware of other drivers and position yourself where they can see you
• Watch out for debris and gravel on the road
• Be courteous, and don’t weave in and out of traffic lanes
• Keep your headlights on whenever driving to ensure increased visibility
• Assume that drivers are going to pull out in front of you
• Operate your bike at a safe speed
Most accidents involving a car and a motorcycle are caused by a driver who is distracted or simply not paying attention to surroundings. Whether you are in a motorcycle or other motor vehicle, you must be aware of all your surroundings, especially in areas such as Pinellas County, Florida, that tend to be congested with traffic.
Contact an Experienced Motorcycle Lawyer at Jones Law Group
Have you or a loved one been injured in a motorcycle accident? Contact an experienced St. Petersburg motorcycle accident attorney at Jones Law Group today. When you contact our office we will immediately set an appointment where you will meet your attorney and be provided with his/her personal contact information. If you do not have transportation or you cannot drive, your attorney will travel to meet you and discuss your case with you.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligence of another, you should immediately call an experienced personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg at Jones Law Group at (727) 571-1333 during regular business hours or (727) 753-8657 on weekends or after regular business hours. We will evaluate your case for free and you will never pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for your injuries.
Jones Law Group
5622 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL 33707
Truck drivers are notorious for causing horrible accidents that can have catastrophic consequences. Even if drivers or occupants in passenger vehicles are fortunate enough to survive the wreck, they will often suffer injuries that can require years of recovery and result in astronomical medical expenses. In far too many instances, these victims will never fully […]
Are you in a hostile work environment? At work, if you feel intimidated, uncomfortable, or have trouble doing your job due to the actions or behavior of another, you are in a hostile work environment. This usually takes place in the form of harassment or discrimination. Fortunately, harassment laws are put in place to protect […]
If you were involved in and slip and fall accidents on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation. Property owners, such as business owners, owe a duty of care to anyone who steps foot on their property. According to their duty of care, they must keep all visitors reasonably safe. Business owners are […]
Car accidents are a common occurrence in Florida, and determining who is at fault for the accident is a critical step in the process of seeking compensation for damages and injuries. Florida is a no-fault state. This means that each driver’s insurance company is responsible for covering their damages and medical expenses. It doesn’t matter […]
Lane splitting is the action in which motorcyclists will occupy the space between two cars in order to pass. Lane splitting is often utilized by motorcyclists in stop-and-go traffic and allows them to escape congested areas. Arguments are made that by utilizing lane splitting, motorcyclists are helping to cut down on the amount of pollution […]
How you handle the aftermath of a bicycle accident matters in regard to your health and the strength of your future personal injury claim. Summary Bicycle accidents can result from the negligence of bicyclists or motor vehicle drivers. Their negligence, which could be acts such as distracted driving, speeding, and road rage, can expose a […]
Speak with us before time runs out! In Florida, you have a limited window to file a personal injury case, so speak to an Attorney today.
Call our personal injury law office directly at (727) 512-9847
Jones Law Group is a dedicated personal injury lawyer in St. Petersburg, FL, serving the Tampa Bay area since 2006. Our experienced attorneys specialize in car accidents, slip and fall cases, employment law disputes, construction law issues, and overtime wage claims, fighting for maximum compensation on a contingency fee basis. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Call our personal injury law office at (727) 512-9847
© Copyright 2006–2025 Jones Law Group Attorneys at Law. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Terms of Use
Attorney Advertising.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
We will gladly call you on your schedule.
Use the secure and confidential form below.
