National motorcycle accident statistics show that Florida recorded more fatal motorcycle accidents since 2022 than any other state. In 2024, Florida recorded 578 motorcycle accident fatalities. The number of fatalities from motorcycle crashes in 2022 and 2023 were 631 and 621, respectively.
From 2018 to 2023, Pinellas County averaged 505 motorcycle crashes and 26 deaths per year. Pinellas Park motorcycle accident victims should consult an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. A lawyer will review your case and determine if there are grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Pinellas Park, FL
Common reasons for motorcycle accidents in Pinellas Park include the following:
- Driver negligence: Distracted and reckless driving are among the leading causes of motorcycle crashes. Distracted drivers may veer into oncoming traffic, causing head-on collisions. Reckless drivers may also attempt to pass on the shoulder or tailgate other vehicles. These actions reduce their response time if they fail to see a motorcyclist.
- Driving under the influence: From 2018 to 2023, alcohol or drugs were a factor in 42% of Pinellas County motorcycle accidents involving drivers 29 or younger.
- Road hazards: Potholes can cause accidents if drivers are unable to avoid them. Motorcyclists can also lose control of their motorcycles if they hit debris on roadways. Poor signage can also cause drivers to abruptly change lanes, putting motorcyclists at risk.
- Speed: Speed was a factor in 26% of 2018 to 2023 motorcycle crashes involving drivers aged 30 to 49, and 38% of Pinellas County motorcycle crashes involved drivers 29 or younger.
Weather conditions: Pinellas County is on Florida’s west coast, and its proximity to the coast means fog can affect visibility, particularly in spring and winter. Poor visibility reduces response times, increasing the risk of a collision. Sudden rain storms also contribute to poor driving conditions.
Common Injuries Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accident victims are at risk of serious injuries because they do not have the same protections people in cars and trucks have. Common motorcycle accident injuries include the following:
- Back injuries: Spinal cord injuries can cause short-term or permanent paralysis, and affect bowel and bladder function.
- Broken bones: Motorcyclist accident victims may suffer broken arms, legs, pelvic bones, and bone fractures.
- Internal injuries: Internal bleeding and organ damage are common internal injuries stemming from motorcycle accidents.
- Neck injuries: Common neck injuries include broken necks and neck sprains. Motorcyclists can also suffer whiplash, which affects the soft tissue and muscles in the neck.
- Road rash: Motorcyclists may be dragged across the road or ground after a collision. As a result, they may suffer skin damage, known as road rash. Severe cases of road rash can cause nerve damage, and may involve debris embedded into wounds caused by asphalt scraping the motorcyclist’s skin.
- Traumatic brain injuries: Head injuries are the most common type of injury motorcycle accident victims suffer. According to one study, almost 60% of motorcycle accident victims who were admitted to hospitals suffered a head injury, while head injuries were present in over 85% of motorcycle crash fatalities.
Florida’s Motorcycle Laws and Regulations
Florida has motorcycle laws and regulations motorcyclists must obey. These laws and regulations include the following:
- Helmet laws: Motorcyclists must wear helmets and eye protection. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards establish which helmets meet the legal requirements for Florida motorcyclists. However, motorcyclists 21 and older may operate their motorcycle without wearing a helmet if they have $10,000 or more in medical coverage.
- Insurance requirements: Florida motorcyclists are not required to have insurance as long as they demonstrate their ability to cover expenses from a motorcycle accident if they are at fault.
- Lane splitting and traffic rules: Florida does not allow lane splitting. Motorcyclists are not allowed to ride with more than two side-by-side motorcycles. Although motorcyclists can use listening devices while driving, these devices must not impair their ability to hear noises around them. Motorcyclists are also required to have mirrors and keep their headlights on while driving.
- Licensing requirements: Florida motorcycle drivers must complete the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic Rider Course to secure the motorcycle endorsement required to operate a motorcycle.
Failing to comply with Florida’s motorcycle laws and regulations can jeopardize your ability to pursue a motorcycle accident lawsuit.
Were you injured in a motorcycle accident? Contact Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys now.
Steps To Take Following a Motorcycle Accident in Pinellas Park
You should immediately take steps to protect your legal rights and comply with Florida laws. These steps include the following:
- Secure the scene
- Determine if anyone is injured
- Call 911
- Seek medical attention
- Record witnesses’ contact information
- Exchange information with other drivers
- Take photos of the accident scene
- Take a video of the accident scene
- Makes notes about the accident
- Speak to a Pinellas Park motorcycle accident attorney
It’s best to contact an experienced lawyer for motorcycle accident cases in Pinellas County before speaking to police, or making any statements to other drivers or the police. Experienced motorcycle accident attorneys provide free consultations and will advise you of your rights, preventing you from making mistakes that could jeopardize your ability to seek fair compensation.
Things you should not do after a motorcycle accident include the following:
- Admit fault: You may be in shock and are unaware of the factors contributing to the accident. You should not admit fault without a thorough investigation.
- Leave the scene: Do not leave the scene until the police say you can unless paramedics remove you because you need prompt medical treatment.
How a Pinellas Park Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
An experienced Pinellas Park motorcycle accident lawyer will provide a free case evaluation, and confirm you have grounds for a motorcycle accident claim. Your lawyer will then take the following steps:
- Gather evidence: Your legal team will interview witnesses and gather documentation, including the police report, your medical records, photographs, and video footage and use this evidence to build your case.
- Negotiate: Your lawyer will hold settlement conferences with the responsible parties’ insurance companies, and use the evidence gathered to attempt to recover fair compensation.
- Provide legal representation: Your lawyer provides legal representation during settlement conferences with insurance companies and presents this information in court if your case goes to trial.
Your lawyer will explain your rights. They will present you with settlement offers and explain why they believe offers are fair or inadequate. Your lawyer ensures you have all the legal information you need to make informed decisions as your case progresses.
Compensation Available to Victims
The types of compensation motorcycle accident victims may be able to seek include economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are costs incurred or revenue lost because of injuries suffered from an accident. Economic damages include the following:
- Childcare costs
- House cleaning costs
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Personal care costs
- Property damage costs
Lost wages can include future lost income if you’re unable to return to your profession or permanently disabled because of your injuries. Medical expenses include the costs of medical tests, surgeries, rehabilitative therapy, counseling, assistive devices, and medications. Property damage costs can include the cost of repairing or replacing the motorcycle, and any valuables damaged in the crash.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages allow accident victims to receive compensation for the emotional trauma from their accident. Grounds for non-economic damages include the following:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
The psychological impact of the accident can prevent accident victims from engaging in hobbies, and impair their quality of life. In wrongful death cases, family members can sue for loss of consortium. Accident victims living with chronic pain because of their accident can also seek compensation.
Punitive Damages
The at-fault driver may be ordered to pay punitive damages if they are guilty of gross negligence. For example, suppose the driver disobeyed traffic laws by operating at high speeds or running red lights, which caused the accident. In that case, you may have grounds to justify punitive damages.
Statute of Limitations in Florida for Motorcycle Accident Claims
The statute of limitations refers to the time accident victims have to take legal action, so they can seek compensation after an accident. Florida’s statute gives accident victims 24 months to file a claim.
Some victims, especially minors injured in an accident, may have more time to file. The deadline may also be extended if the at-fault party flees the jurisdiction, or attempts to conceal their identity by providing false information. Victims may also be able to take action if they learn their injuries are more severe than they initially realized.
Consulting a personal injury law firm is the best way to determine if you still have time to file, or if you have grounds to have the statute tolled.
Why Choose Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, for Your Motorcycle Accident Case?
Our law firm has motorcycle accident lawyers with decades of experience handling motorcycle accident lawsuits. Due to our location, we’re familiar with Pinellas Park, and are aware of local traffic laws, weather patterns, and other factors contributing to motorcycle accidents.
In addition to our experience handling motorcycle accident cases, we provide each client with personalized attention. We will give you time to tell your story, listen while you express your concerns, answer your questions, and adjust our approach to your claim to suit your needs.
When you hire our legal team, you’re hiring experts who will investigate your accident, gather evidence, and help calculate the damages you deserve to help you receive the maximum compensation available.
We have highly satisfied clients, and an established track record with those who recommend our services.
We charge contingency fees, which means that you do not pay any legal costs until we win your case. Thus, you have no financial risk when we take your case.
Book an appointment to speak to an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer now.
FAQs
How Much Is Your Motorcycle Accident Case Worth in Pinellas Park?
The severity of your injuries and the nature of the accident will determine how much compensation you can seek. You can seek punitive damages if the at-fault driver is guilty of gross negligence, increasing the compensation available.
Can You Still Recover Compensation If You’re Partially at Fault for Your Motorcycle Accident?
Florida has comparative negligence laws. As long as you aren’t considered more than 49% responsible for the accident, you can seek compensation.
What If You Weren’t Wearing a Motorcycle Helmet?
You may be able to seek compensation for your motorcycle accident injuries if you comply with all Florida motorcycle laws and regulations. A motorcycle accident lawyer can review your case to determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit.
How Do You Prove Negligence After a Motorcycle Accident?
The four factors that must be established to prove negligence after an accident are:
– Duty of care means the person who caused your accident had an obligation to behave in a way that would prevent harm to others. An example is a driver’s duty of care to obey traffic laws.
– Breach of duty refers to the driver’s failure to fulfill their duty of care. An example would be driving at speeds 30 mph over the posted speed limit.
– Causation means you can demonstrate that the driver’s breach of their duty of care was responsible for the accident that caused your injuries.
– Damages refer to the financial costs incurred as a result of your accident.
Where Are Dangerous Roads for Motorcyclists in Pinellas Park?
U.S. Highway 19 is one of the most dangerous roads in Pinellas Park, and the state of Florida.
Sources:
Florida Motorcycle Insurance. (2025).
Hoseinian, S., et al. (2019). Injury Patterns Among Motorcyclist Trauma Patients: A Cross Sectional Study on 4200 Patients.
Mills, G., et al. (2025). Florida Is the Top State for Motorcycle Deaths. In Early 2025, Duval Leads in Fatalities.
Motorcycle Crash Facts Pinellas County. (2025).
Rogers, N. (2024). US 19 in Pinellas County Found to Be One of Florida’s Most Dangerous Roads. The 2024 Florida Statutes (Including 2025 Special Session C). (2025).
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About Jack G. Bernstein Esq.
Personal Injury Lawyer
For more than 40 years, personal injury lawyer Jack G. Bernstein has protected the rights of individuals who have been injured in a variety of circumstances. Throughout his career, Bernstein has been a strategist thoroughly dedicated to the idea of protecting the rights of his clients. Mr. Bernstein is a member of the Florida State Bar Association, the Hillsborough Bar Association and the Clearwater Bar Association.
Mr. Bernstein has the experience and expertise to handle a wide range of injury cases. Among the types of plaintiffs Mr. Bernstein represents are individuals involved in car accidents caused by drunk drivers or other exhibiting negligence, medical complications resulting from carelessness caused by a physician or a medical facility, including brain injury, bicycle, motorcycle, moped and truck accidents, admiralty law and cruise ship accidents, accidental drownings, all types of wrongful death lawsuits, along with most injury, catastrophic occurrences and legal malpractice issues.
Our firm handles every type of personal injury and accident case, using negotiation and litigation tactics effectively. We handle cases throughout Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, FL. With a staff of approximately 40 people, including six lawyers and 34 support personnel, we have the legal resources to get the justice you deserve and the maximum recovery for your losses. Schedule your free consultation today; we are always here to help.
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