Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Millions Recovered for our clients

An injury from a motorcycle accident that was someone else’s fault entitles you to compensation. No matter how expensive or serious your damages, our Tampa motorcycle accident attorneys can fight your case from beginning to end. At Jerry Jaramillo & Associates P.A., we refuse to let large insurance companies deny our clients the money that they need to get their lives back to normal. Because we have a former insurance defense attorney on our team, we know how to counter the typical strategies these companies use to deny or mitigate claims.

Florida Motorcycle Laws

Anyone who owns or operates a motorcycle in Florida should be well-versed on the state’s most up-to-date motorcycle laws. These laws are in place not only for your safety but for the safety of others on the road, as well.

Here, we’ve outlined some important laws that you should be aware of:

• Do I need a motorcycle license in Florida? You do not need a separate motorcycle license to operate a motorcycle in Florida, but you do need an endorsement on your existing driver’s license if you wish to operate a two- or three-wheeled motorcycle with an engine size greater than 50 cc. You may also hold a “Motorcycle Only” license.
• How do I get a motorcycle endorsement? You must pass an official Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. Typically, these are provided by authorized sponsors of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Florida Rider Training Program.
• Do I have to wear a motorcycle helmet in Florida? Any motorcycle rider (operator or passenger) under the age of 21 must wear an approved motorcycle helmet and approved protective eye gear. Motorcyclists over the age of 21 do not need to wear a helmet as long as they have an insurance policy that provides at least $10,000 in bodily injury coverage due to a motorcycle accident. However, note that all motorcycle riders, regardless of age or insurance coverage, are required by law to wear protective eye gear.
• How high can my motorcycle’s handlebars be? Florida law prohibits a motorcycle’s handlebars from being so high that the rider’s hands would be above his or her shoulders while riding. Additionally, motorcyclists in Florida are required to keep both hands on the handlebars at all times while operating their bikes.
• Is lane splitting legal in Florida? The practice of “lane splitting,” or riding a motorcycle between cars/on lane lines, is never allowed in Florida. This is true regardless of how fast or slow traffic is moving, including when traffic is at a complete stop.
• Can two bikers share the same lane? In Florida, two motorcyclists are allowed to share a single lane, riding side-by-side. However, more than two motorcyclists cannot ride side-by-side in a single lane.
• What is required to carry a motorcycle passenger? The state requires that a motorcycle have a seat and footrests for passengers. Additionally, if the passenger is under the age of 21, they must wear a helmet.

LET JARAMILLO AND ASSOCIATES, P.A. FIGHT FOR YOU

The Hurt Report did a massive study on motorcycle accidents which collected data from Los Angeles and surrounding communities. They discovered 75% of accidents involved a motorcycle and passenger vehicle. They also found out that a major cause of these accidents was a passenger vehicle driver’s failure to see motorcycles in traffic. Motorcycle accidents can result in a variety of injuries and are extremely dangerous for motorcyclists:

• Brain damage or a concussion
• Spinal cord damage
• Soft tissue damage from sliding across asphalt
• Facial disfigurement
• “Biker’s arm”- a term used to describe the damage to the upper arm caused by a fall from a motorcycle
• Broken bones