Hurt in a Car Accident or
Motorcycle Crash? Lost a Loved
One in a Wrongful Death?
Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
No Fee or Cost Unless We Win
Tampa, Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Whittel & Melton, LLC
4401 W Kennedy Blvd #250
Tampa, Florida
813-221-3200
If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, please seek medical attention immediately.
Trusted Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Tampa, FL
Our law team at Whittel & Melton have decades of experience successfully recovering compensation for motorcycle crash victims in Tampa and throughout Florida.
You have nothing to lose by contacting our team for a consultation after a motorcycle wreck. It’s completely free, and we’ll never pressure you to hire us.
When you call our office for a free consultation, we’ll help you evaluate your claim. Our main concern is making sure you can get better and can still provide for your family.
We’ll take care of everything else concerning your claim. Regarding the money, we only get paid if you get paid. We only get a paycheck if you are successful in getting your settlement, that you must approve. You don’t have to pay out of pocket to get the support and help you need after your wreck.
Call us today at 813-221-3200. We’re here to make sure you get the help you need after an accident.
3 Key Questions Our Attorneys Are Often Asked Before Potential Motorcycle Accident Clients Decide To Pursue Their Case
- Call the Police
- Stay at the scene of the accident and call law enforcement. You can be charged with a crime if you leave the scene of the accident.
- When the police arrive, it is very important to not say the crash was your fault. Even if you think it is, there may have been other factors you did not know about. Tell the officers what happened before and during the crash.
- When law enforcement arrives at the scene, they will gather crucial information regarding the crash, such as the other driver’s insurance and contact information.
- Seek Medical Attention
- Depending on the severity of your wreck, you may need to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. If your injuries aren’t serious, you should still seek medical attention.
- Even if you think you think you are fine, it is important to not say you are not injured to anyone asking, just take a moment and allow yourself to be evaluated by medical staff. Some injuries after an accident may not be immediately apparent, but can still be serious. You should still seek medical attention. You may be entitled to payment of your medical bills, compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of earnings capacity, and emotional distress due to personal injuries.
- Exchange Information
- After a motorcycle accident, you should exchange information with the other driver. Use this information exchange checklist:
- Driver’s name
- Contact information
- Insurance information
- Vehicle’s license plate number, make and model
- After a motorcycle accident, you should exchange information with the other driver. Use this information exchange checklist:
- Take Pictures/Videos of the Scene
- It’s important to document any evidence you can. Take photos/videos of the damage to your motorcycle, the other driver’s vehicle, and your injuries. You should also document the scene as a whole. Get video footage or photos of everything that could be relevant: speed limit signs, skid marks, and anything else that could help.
- Get Witness Statements
- You should encourage any witnesses to stay at the scene. Their statements to the police could be extremely valuable for your case. Get their names and contact information, too.
- Dealing with Insurance Companies
- First you will submit a claim to the insurance company. A representative from the insurance company will contact you. Keep in mind, insurance adjusters are not your friend. Their job is to keep the amount the insurance company will have to pay as low as possible.
- The adjuster may ask you to give a recorded statement. Do not do this. They are looking for anything they can use against you in your injury claim. You should consult with a personal injury lawyer before you make any statements about your accident.
- Contact a Lawyer
- You should contact a lawyer who has experience with motorcycle accidents.
- Having a motorcycle wreck lawyer on your side may increase your chance of recovering enough compensation to fully cover your losses.
- You will want to bring them:
- Any evidence you collected (such as the pictures or videos you took, any witness contact information, along with their statements.
- A copy of the police report
- Medical records if you received treatment for any injuries
- It is best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after your crash has occurred. Your lawyer can handle negotiations with the insurance company, as well as litigate if the insurance company denies your claim, or does not offer what you are owed.
If you’ve been in a motorcycle wreck, call us today at 813-221-3200. We’re ready to get you the help you need after an accident.
How Do I Pick A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Tampa?
Did you know that most people choose injury lawyers by doing a quick Google search and calling the firm listed at the top? That’s like searching Google for “car” and buying the first one that shows up.
Choosing the right lawyer for YOU requires some research, some diligence, and asking the right questions of the person in the suit and tie sitting across from you.
Below are the 7 crucial questions you should ask of anyone you are considering to help protect your rights after a wreck. Taking the time to ask can mean the difference between getting all of the settlement you deserve, having your medical issues handled properly, and getting your bills paid for.
1. How much experience does your firm have in handling Motorcycle Cases?
There are a lot of hidden landmines you can step on when presenting your claim, and a lot of tactics insurance companies will use to keep your payouts as low as possible. You want someone by your side who has been in the trenches again and again — and knows what to look for… and look out for. Not all personal injury lawyers are the same. Not all injury lawyers have handled motorcycle cases before. You need an experienced attorney, with a solid track record and experience in handling motorcycle cases.
2. Are you recognized by any legal group or associations of attorneys devoted to maximizing injury claims by riders?
You’ll want to hear a “yes.” Jason Melton is a member of these associations:
- National Academy of Motorcycle Injury Lawyers, Founding Member
- Top 20 Motorcycle Injury Lawyer, 2020 and 2021
- BikerJusticeUSA
3. Are you associated with any biker education groups that would indicate your interest in biker safety and the biker community as a whole?
Again, you may want to know that the law firm and lawyer representing you care about the community of bikers. Jason Melton is a lifetime member of both ABATE and Road Guardians.
4. Will you copy me with important communications from my case?
During your case, you’ll want to know what is going on every step of the way. While much of what we do for you would frankly be confusing on paper, we will stay in touch with you via phone and text regularly. You can be sure the important documents will be made available to you. Honestly, they require your involvement, so you will know when we are creating them. You’ll want to know if the firm you hire will call regularly and copy you on important communications concerning your case.
5. Who at your office (both attorneys and non-attorneys) will be communicating with the insurance company on my case?
Knowing exactly who is going to bat for you is vital when choosing the right attorney. Make sure you know who is going to be your advocate. Find out if you’ll be able to reach out to them whenever you need to do so.
6. Do you have references or testimonials from past clients I can view?
You want an attorney with great reviews. What you say about yourself is good. What others say is gold.
It’s extremely important that you take your time and choose which lawyer you want to represent you very carefully. Feel free to ask every lawyer you’re considering the questions above.
Hiring a lawyer sooner than later is important as they can help ensure that you start collecting documents that may be critical to getting a positive outcome. However, you often times don’t need to hire a lawyer today. We strongly recommend you find a lawyer that makes sense for your case. Ask lawyers about similar cases they’ve handled and how they approached it to get the client funds.
How you pick a lawyer is ultimately up to you. More than anything, we encourage you to find a lawyer that has the relevant experience and that you feel confident in them. What you are going through is stressful and a lawyer may be able to help provide some peace of mind, helping you navigate the insurance company and legal proceedings.
If you are looking for an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Tampa, you’re in the right place. Our legal team is ready to hop on a call with you to evaluate your case. Ask us all of the tough questions. We’re here to serve you and your needs. And if you feel like we’re a good fit, we’ll proceed with moving to the next steps on your case together.
Florida Motorcycle Accident Statistics
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Florida has the most motorcycle crash fatalities in the nation.
- In 2019, Florida had over 8,000 recorded motorcycle accidents with more than 500 ending in fatalities.
- An estimated 47% of Florida motorcyclists wear helmets.
- Florida repealed the law that required all motorcycle riders to wear helmets in 2000. Since then, the number of deaths in motorcycle wrecks without helmets has increased from 9% to 51%.
- In 2015, Hillsborough County was determined to be the second-most-dangerous county in Florida for motorcycle fatalities, with 48 deaths.
Intersections in Tampa, FL to Look Out For
The following are the top six most dangerous intersections in Tampa, FL, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office:
- Sheldon Road and Waters Avenue W
- Anderson Road and Waters Avenue W
- Waters Avenue W. and Himes Avenue N
- Waters Avenue and Hanley Road
- Bruce B Downs Blvd and Fletcher Avenue E
- Hillsborough Avenue and Sheldon Road
If you find yourself in a crash in one of these dangerous intersections in Tampa, contact us today. We want to make sure you get the help you need & the compensation you deserve.
Contact our motorcycle accident team today!
Suggested Resources From Our Tampa Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Florida Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Intersections in Tampa to Look Out For
What to Do After A Motorcycle Accident
How Do I Pick A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Tampa?
FAQ for Motorcycle Accidents in Tampa, FL
We want to answer as many of your questions as we can. The best way to get answers you need for a motorcycle case in Tampa is to contact our office. We can talk about your specific situation and give you the advice you need to make the best decision possible.
What if I believe I’m partially at fault for an accident?
No matter what you believe about your role in an accident, NEVER give a recorded statement without speaking with a lawyer. If you were to give a statement to an insurance company or an officer at the scene, this information will be used to evaluate your culpability. There may be other factors you were not aware of, and the other driver may be more at fault. Even if you are deemed to be partially at fault for a motorcycle wreck, it is still possible to recover compensation. As always, we encourage you to speak with a lawyer to evaluate your individual claim. This allows you to see what compensation may be possible to help with medical bills, lost wages, or replacement for your property.
What if a car turned left in front of me?
In 2018, 43% of two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a motorcycle and another type of vehicle were the result of the other vehicle turning left in front of a motorcycle. The motorcycle in these crashes was either going straight or overtaking the other vehicle. This could happen at an intersection, on a two-lane road, or on a multi-lane highway. Many drivers just don’t see or look out for bikes, putting motorcyclists in danger. When another vehicle is turning left in front of a biker and there is an accident, the results are often more severe for the person on the motorcycle. We recommend speaking with our team as soon as possible to evaluate all the evidence and see if we believe there’s a basis for a legal claim.
How much is my motorcycle crash case worth?
Anyone who claims to know the average worth of a motorcycle accident case is only guessing. We evaluate each and every case based on its specific context and circumstance. The best way to find out the compensation that could be possible for your case is to call us right away at 813-221-3200. We provide free consultations, so there’s no reason not to contact our legal team. We’re experienced with motorcycle cases in Tampa and will help answer questions you may have about how to move forward. You can decide whether you want to hire us or not—there is no obligation to do so if you choose to set up a case evaluation with us.
Only a Tampa motorcycle accident attorney can help you get the answers, and results, you deserve. Contact us now to speak with a lawyer proven to maximize compensation earned in cases just like yours.