If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash, our team is here to protect your rights and guide you through Florida’s complex accident laws. Read more below to learn how we can help, or contact us directly at 941-365-7600 for a no-strings-attached free consultation.
Unlike some other law firms, our clients work directly with experienced motorcycle accident attorneys – not with case managers or paralegals. Our small-firm approach means you always have access to the lawyer handling your case. In order to properly build your case, we take the time to get to know you and how your motorcycle accident has affected your life.
We have secured numerous life-changing results across more than 30 years of representing injured persons in Sarasota, Tampa Bay, and throughout Florida. We have the experience, resources and know-how to handle serious accidents with serious injuries. Although motorcycles make up about 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States, motorcyclists accounted for 15.5% of all traffic fatalities and 3.4% of all injuries in 2023. Motorcycle accidents in Florida are a major issue, especially in the past 3 years. From 2022-2024, Florida was the No. 1 state in the country for motorcycle fatalities, despite being only the third largest state in terms of population. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV) “Crash Dashboard,” Florida has seen the following in terms of motorcycle accidents and fatalities from 2022 through September 10, 2025:
Motorcyclists suffer catastrophic injuries because riders are more exposed than passengers in other vehicles. Although we highly recommend that motorcyclists wear helmets and protective attire, this does not always protect them in crashes. Motorcycles do not have seatbelts or other safety measures that cars have to protect passengers, meaning bike wrecks are typically more severe than collisions between cars.
Due to the smaller size and lighter weight than other motor vehicles, injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents are often more severe and can be unique to motorcyclists. These typical injuries include:
There are several Florida laws and systems in place that every rider should know before getting on a motorcycle.
Helmet Law.
Florida Statute § 316.211(1) states that “a person may not operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless the person is properly wearing protective headgear securely fastened upon his or her head which complies with Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard 218 promulgated by the United States Department of Transportation.” Additionally, Florida law requires persons operating a motorcycle to wear an eye-protective device as well. However, people over the age of 21 may operate or ride a motorcycle without protective headgear if the person has insurance coverage of at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries resulting from a motorcycle crash.
Lane Filtering and Lane Splitting.
Lane filtering is when motorcycles ride between lanes of traffic or rows of vehicles when stationary. Lane splitting occurs when motorcycles ride between lanes of traffic or rows of vehicles when moving. According to Florida Statute § 316.209(3), both lane filtering and lane splitting are illegal in Florida. It is classified as a non-criminal traffic infraction with penalties including fines up to $500 and points on your driver’s license.
Motorcycle Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage.
Florida Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance does not cover motorcycles. It only covers vehicles with four wheels. This means that injury claims are entirely dependent on proving liability on the at-fault driver or other responsible parties.
Modified Comparative Negligence.
Florida uses a modified comparative negligence system, which reduces compensation by the percentage that the injured person is found at fault. For example, if a motorcyclist incurs $100,000 in damages but if found to be 30% at fault, their recovery is reduced to $70,000. In Florida’s modified comparative negligence system, if you are found greater than 50% at fault, you are completely prohibited from recovering damages.
Insurance companies often have a stigma against motorcyclists, it’s critical to have an experienced motorcycle crash attorney thoroughly investigate your accident, reconstruct the accident with experts, and argue that fault lies entirely with the other parties to improve your chances and the amount of your financial recovery.
Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits.
As of March 24, 2023, lawsuits for motorcycle accidents must be filed within two years of the date of the motorcycle crash. Although you don’t have to file a lawsuit for two years after the accident, it is advisable to retain a motorcycle crash attorney immediately to begin investigating your crash and building your case. The longer you wait to investigate your car accident, the more difficult it becomes to gather all available evidence, such as traffic or security camera footage, on your behalf.
At Dannheisser Injury Law, we combine deep local knowledge, a client-centric approach, and more than 30 years of experience to fight for Sarasota motorcycle accident victims. When you are facing mounting medical bills, disputes with insurance adjusters, and potentially permanent injuries, you need an experienced Sarasota motorcycle accident lawyer on your side.For a completely free, no-strings-attached, confidential consultation, call us at 941-365-7600, complete our contact form online, or live chat with us on our website. Let us focus on your financial recovery while you focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
SARASOTA PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
At Dannheisser Injury Law, we have more than 30 years of experience in the Tampa Bay area handling motorcycle accident claims and lawsuits. We have the resources and experience necessary to handle all aspect of your claim. We use a client-centric approach, giving you direct access to your attorney to answer any questions you have.
Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence standard, you can still recover money even if you were partially at fault. However, if you’re found to be greater than 50% at fault for an accident, you are prohibited from receiving compensation for your damages in a motorcycle wreck claim.
Insurance adjusters often hold biases against motorcyclists, which can reduce settlement offers you receive. It’s imperative to hire an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to properly build your case, assign liability to all potential defendants, and go to trial if needed.
The value of your motorcycle crash claim depends on the amount of your damages. Damages include your past and future medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, property damage, and wrongful death damages in fatal motorcycle accidents.
Your motorcycle accident claim may take anywhere from a couple months to several years to resolve. The time it takes to resolve depends on: (1) Severity of your injuries and the treatment required; (2) Whether liability is in dispute; (3) The number of potential defendants; (4) If a wrongful death occurred; and (5) If we are able to resolve the claim without a lawsuit being required.
No. PIP insurance only applies to vehicles with four wheels.
Florida Statute § 316.211 covers the use of helmets by motorcyclists on Florida roads. All motorcycle operators and riders under the age of 21 are required to wear a helmet. Motorcyclists over the age of 21 can legally ride without a helmet if they carry at least $10,000 in medical insurance coverage. We strongly recommend all riders wear a helmet regardless of insurance coverage for safety reasons.
From 2022 through September 10, 2025, there were 676 motorcycle crashes, with 39 fatalities.
Your first priority after a motorcycle crash is medical treatment, even if you don’t immediately feel hurt. Some injuries, such as head injuries, don’t show symptoms for hours or even days. You then want to document the accident scene, file insurance claims, and retain a motorcycle accident attorney.
