Orlando Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

A motorcycle crash can leave you facing serious injuries, medical bills, and pressure from insurance companies. If another driver caused your accident in Orlando, you should not have to handle everything on your own.

At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our Orlando motorcycle accident lawyers help injured riders understand their rights and pursue compensation for what they’ve lost. Our team has recovered over $2 billion for injury victims and is ready to review your case.

• Free consultation
• No fee unless we win
• Available 24/7
• Serving injury victims since 1997

How Motorcycle Accidents Differ From Car Crashes

Motorcycle crashes often involve different risks and legal issues than typical car accidents. Riders face greater exposure on the road, and the way insurance claims work can also be different. Key differences include:

• Less physical protection: Motorcyclists do not have seat belts, airbags, or a vehicle frame, so crashes often result in more severe injuries.
• Higher injury severity: Motorcycle riders are more likely to suffer head injuries, spinal trauma, and fractures compared to occupants of passenger vehicles.
• Different insurance rules: Motorcycles are not covered by Florida’s no-fault PIP insurance, so injured riders usually must prove another driver caused the crash to recover compensation.
• Liability disputes: Drivers often claim they did not see the motorcycle, which can lead to disputes about fault and require stronger evidence to support a claim.

Because of these factors, motorcycle accident cases often require a detailed investigation to determine liability and pursue full compensation.

What to Do When You Get Hurt in a Motorcycle Accident in Orlando

The moments after a motorcycle crash can feel overwhelming. The steps you take right away can affect both your recovery and your ability to pursue compensation later. Here are several important actions to consider.

1. Prioritize Safety and Call 911
   Move to a safe area if possible and call 911 immediately. Emergency responders can evaluate injuries, and police will create an official accident report, which can become important evidence later.
2. Document the Scene
   If you are able, take photos of the crash scene, vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Exchange contact information with other drivers and witnesses. Avoid discussing fault, as statements made at the scene can later affect your claim.
3. Seek Medical Attention
   Some injuries appear hours or days later. A full medical evaluation helps protect your health and creates documentation that may support your claim.
4. Speak With a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
   Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning statements about fault can affect the compensation you may recover. An attorney can handle insurance communications, gather evidence, and guide you through the claims process.
5. Be Aware of Legal Deadlines
   In Florida, motorcycle accident injury claims generally must be filed within two years of the crash. Acting sooner helps preserve evidence and protects your right to pursue compensation.

Taking these steps can help protect both your health and your legal claim while you focus on recovery.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics and Common Causes

Motorcycle crashes remain a serious safety concern in Central Florida. According to FHLSMV crash data, Orange County recorded 519 motorcycle crashes and 41 fatalities, highlighting the significant risks riders face on local roads.

While wearing protective gear and maintaining a motorcycle can reduce risk, many crashes occur because of the actions of other drivers or dangerous road conditions. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Drivers opening car doors into a rider’s path
• Speeding or reckless driving
• Unsafe lane changes
• Driving under the influence
• Sudden stops in traffic
• Left-turn collisions at intersections
• Inexperienced or distracted drivers
• Dangerous road conditions
• Motorcycle defects or mechanical failures

Because motorcycles offer less physical protection than passenger vehicles, these crashes often result in serious or life-changing injuries. Understanding the types of injuries riders may suffer helps explain why motorcycle accident claims often involve significant medical and financial damages.

Injuries and Their Impact on Damages

Motorcycle accidents often cause severe injuries that affect nearly every part of a person’s life, including their health, ability to work, and financial stability. Because riders have less protection than occupants of passenger vehicles, these crashes frequently lead to long-term or life-altering injuries. Some of the most common injuries seen in motorcycle accidents include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Head injuries can lead to memory loss, cognitive problems, and permanent disability. Compensation may include long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and lost future income.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord may result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifelong medical care, home modifications, and ongoing therapy.
• Broken Bones: Motorcycle crashes often cause severe fractures that may require surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
• Road Rash and Skin Damage: Sliding on pavement can cause deep abrasions that may lead to infection, scarring, and reconstructive procedures.
• Internal Injuries: Organ damage and internal bleeding may require emergency surgery and extended hospital care.
• Amputations: In catastrophic crashes, severe limb damage may lead to amputation and long-term rehabilitation with prosthetic devices.

These injuries can lead to significant medical expenses, lost income, and lasting physical and emotional challenges.Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Orlando

Motorcycle accident claims in Orlando are influenced by several Florida laws that affect how compensation is pursued and who may be responsible for damages.

Insurance Requirements

Florida excludes motorcyclists from the usual Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage, which means riders often need to rely on the at-fault party’s insurance or their own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. This setup makes establishing fault essential to securing compensation. An experienced attorney can help ensure that evidence is properly gathered to strengthen your case.

Comparative Negligence

Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule can reduce or bar compensation if a rider shares any fault. If the injured rider is more than 50% responsible, they’re unable to recover damages from the other party. This places importance on clear evidence, like accident reports and witness statements, to establish the other party’s liability.

Statute of Limitations

Recently, Florida’s statute of limitations for motorcycle injury claims was reduced from four years to two. This time limit underscores the need for prompt action after an accident to ensure the right to compensation. Wrongful death claims remain at a two-year limit, making early consultation with an attorney vital to protecting your legal options.

Helmet Laws

Florida requires motorcyclists under 21 to wear helmets, while those over 21 may ride without one if they hold $10,000 in medical coverage. However, in cases of head injuries, lack of a helmet can affect claims, as insurers may argue contributory negligence to reduce payouts. DOT-certified helmets offer substantial protection and are highly recommended.

Safety Regulations

Additional safety measures like proper lighting and signaling are legally required for motorcyclists in Orlando. Adhering to these rules not only protects riders but also supports their legal position should a claim be necessary. By staying compliant, motorcyclists strengthen their case if an accident occurs.

Orlando’s motorcycle laws protect riders and set clear legal standards, making it essential to understand these regulations. With an Orlando motorcycle crash attorney, you can ensure your rights are safeguarded and take steps to achieve the compensation you deserve.

Liability in Motorcycle Accidents

In Florida, motorcycle accident liability relies on a modified comparative negligence rule: if you’re partially at fault, your compensation reduces by your percentage of fault, and if you’re over 50% responsible, recovery may be barred. Proving the other party’s liability requires solid evidence, including police reports and witness statements, to counter common tactics by insurers that aim to place undue blame on motorcyclists.

Liability often extends beyond the driver involved. Poor road conditions or defective motorcycle parts can mean other parties, like government entities or manufacturers, share responsibility. In these cases, your attorney can identify all potential parties to pursue full compensation.

An attorney’s expertise is vital in building a clear case, addressing contributory negligence arguments, and ensuring your claim highlights the responsible party’s actions. Proper support helps secure fair compensation, holding the liable party accountable for the impact on your life.

What Damages You Can Get after a Motorcycle Accident?

If a motorcycle accident results in severe injuries or the tragic loss of a loved one, Florida law allows claims to cover a wide range of resulting damages.

• Medical Expenses: Covers immediate and long-term healthcare costs, including hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications. For wrongful death claims, this includes final medical expenses before passing.
• Pain and Suffering: Addresses emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life due to injuries. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may claim emotional damages related to their loss.
• Lost Wages and Future Earning Potential: Compensates for lost income during recovery or, in severe cases, the reduced future earning capacity. For wrongful death, this includes the loss of financial support the deceased would have provided.
• Funeral and Burial Costs: In wrongful death claims, families can recover expenses associated with the funeral and burial, alleviating a portion of the financial burden.
• Loss of Companionship and Parental Guidance: Available in wrongful death cases, these damages compensate for the loss of emotional support, companionship, and guidance for children and spouses.

In both personal injury and wrongful death cases, Florida’s two-year statute of limitations applies, so prompt action is essential. An Orlando attorney can ensure all avenues for recovery are pursued, providing support and guidance during a challenging time.

What to Expect From Steinger, Greene & Feiner

Motorcycle accident cases can quickly become complicated. Serious injuries, medical bills, and insurance companies investigating the crash can place enormous pressure on injured riders and their families. Many people initially wonder whether hiring a motorcycle accident attorney is necessary or whether they should try to handle the claim themselves.

In reality, insurance companies have experienced legal teams working to reduce the amount they pay. Having a personal injury lawyer on your side can help level the playing field and ensure your claim is properly evaluated.

When you work with Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our legal team can help by:

1. Investigating the accident and preserving evidence
   We review police reports, gather witness statements, analyze photos and video, and may work with accident reconstruction experts to determine exactly what happened.
2. Establishing fault and liability
   Motorcycle crashes often involve disputes about who caused the accident. Our attorneys work to demonstrate negligence and identify all parties that may be responsible.
3. Handling communication with insurance companies
   Insurance adjusters often try to minimize claims. We manage these conversations and negotiations so you do not have to deal with the pressure directly.
4. Calculating the full value of your damages
   This may include medical bills, future treatment, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other losses connected to the crash.
5. Filing and managing your personal injury claim
   We guide you through each step of the legal process, ensuring the required documentation is prepared and deadlines are met.
6. Negotiating a settlement or pursuing litigation if necessary
   Many cases resolve through negotiation, but if insurers refuse to offer fair compensation, we are prepared to take the case to court.

Having an experienced Orlando motorcycle accident attorney allows you to focus on recovery while someone else protects your legal rights and financial interests after a motorcycle accident.

Choosing the right attorney after a motorcycle accident can make a meaningful difference. Here’s what some of our clients say about working with the team at Steinger, Greene & Feiner.

Contact an Orlando Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Every motorcycle accident case is different, but our attorneys use proven strategies to help injured riders pursue the best possible outcome.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation and learn how we may be able to help. Call us at (407) 289-0020.

Our legal team can guide you through the entire process from dealing with insurance companies and gathering evidence to handling the paperwork needed for your claim.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, reach out today and discuss your case with our team or visit our Orlando office: at 2101 Park Center Drive, Suite 160, Orlando, FL 32835.