MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY IN JACKSONVILLE

The steps you take right after a crash can make or break your claim. First and foremost, get medical care immediately, even if you think you’re “fine.” Motorcycle injuries often worsen as adrenaline fades. After that:

• Report the crash to law enforcement.
• Document the scene if you can, including photos, debris, skid marks, road conditions, and the position of vehicles.
• Collect witness information.
• Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers before speaking with a lawyer.
• Keep your damaged gear and motorcycle as evidence.

Once you’re safe, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer. The earlier we start investigating, the harder it is for insurers to twist the facts or shift blame.

Traffic patterns in Jacksonville create unique risks for riders. Crashes frequently happen when drivers:

• Change lanes without checking blind spots
• Turn left in front of an oncoming motorcycle
• Follow riders too closely
• Fail to yield at intersections
• Merge aggressively on I-95, I-10, or the Arlington Expressway
• Become distracted by texting or navigation apps

Road hazards such as potholes, construction zones, loose gravel, and poorly maintained intersections also contribute to serious motorcycle injuries across Duval County.

Because riders don’t have the protection of a vehicle frame, motorcycle collisions often lead to:

• Broken bones and crushed limbs
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Road rash and soft-tissue damage
• Spinal cord injuries
• Severe neck and back trauma
• Disfigurement or scarring
• Paralysis
• Amputation injuries

These injuries often require surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment; costs that should never fall on the victim when someone else caused the crash.

Florida’s no-fault insurance system does not apply to motorcycles. Riders are not required to carry PIP (Personal Injury Protection), which means:

• You are not limited to PIP benefits.
• You can pursue a liability claim directly against the at-fault driver.
• Your ability to file is not tied to thresholds that apply to car accidents.

This gives motorcyclists broader access to compensation, but also means insurers fight harder to avoid paying.

Florida allows riders over 21 to ride without a helmet if they carry adequate insurance. But here’s what matters legally:

• Not wearing a helmet does not automatically bar your claim.
• Insurers may argue your injuries were “worse because you weren’t wearing one,” but that does not erase the other driver’s negligence.
• Wearing a DOT-approved helmet not only strengthens your claim but also protects your health.

A motorcycle accident attorney can push back against any attempt to unfairly shift blame.

Motorcycle injury claims must be filed within the time limits set by Florida law. The exact deadline can vary depending on when the injury occurred, who was involved, and whether a wrongful death case is being pursued. Because evidence fades quickly and the clock may be shorter than people realize, it’s crucial to contact an attorney as soon as possible after the crash.

Yes. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means:

• You can recover compensation as long as you are not more at fault than the other party.
• Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if a driver cut you off but you were speeding slightly, you may still recover compensation, just reduced by whatever share of fault is assigned to you. We work to minimize any blame placed on the rider and highlight the other driver’s negligence.

Motorcycle crashes typically involve:

• More severe injuries
• Higher medical bills
• Greater lost wages
• More complex liability disputes
• More aggressive insurer pushback

Car crashes rarely involve the kind of long-term disability motorcycle riders face, which means motorcycle claims often require more expert input, deeper investigation, and more aggressive negotiation.

Compensation is based on the full impact of the crash, which may include:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Rehabilitation and long-term care
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Property damage
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring or disability
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

We work with medical experts, economic specialists, and life-care planners to show the full scope of what the crash costs you.

Yes. If a motorcycle part, such as brakes, tires, a fuel system, or a structural component, fails and contributes to the crash, you may have a product liability claim. These cases often involve:

• Manufacturer defects
• Design flaws
• Failure to warn
• Unsafe aftermarket parts

When appropriate, we investigate the bike, secure expert inspections, and pursue claims against manufacturers or distributors.

Motorcycle collisions often require detailed reconstruction to establish what really happened. Experts may:

• Analyze skid marks, debris, and vehicle damage
• Study surveillance or dash-cam footage
• Map crash geometry
• Evaluate road conditions
• Reconstruct the crash timeline

Their findings help prove fault, counter insurer tactics, and strengthen settlement negotiations and courtroom presentations.

No two crashes or injuries are the same, so settlement values vary widely. Factors that influence outcomes include:

• Severity of injuries
• Long-term disability
• Impact on the ability to work
• Strength of evidence
• Insurance limits
• Whether multiple parties are at fault

Motorcycle cases tend to settle for higher amounts than standard auto claims because the injuries are often more catastrophic. However, insurers also fight harder, so having an experienced trial firm is crucial.

Yes. When a rider is killed, Florida law allows certain surviving family members, often spouses, children, or parents, to pursue a wrongful death claim. Compensation may cover:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship
• Emotional suffering
• Medical bills prior to death

These cases are emotionally difficult, and we guide families through them with care and forceful advocacy.

After medical care, protect your claim by:

• Not speaking to the other driver’s insurer
• Storing your damaged gear and helmet
• Securing photos, witness info, and police reports
• Following your medical treatment plan
• Calling an attorney before accepting any settlement offer

Insurers often move fast, especially when they know the rider has serious injuries. We make sure they don’t take advantage of you.

Insurers often try to:

• Blame the rider
• Downplay injuries
• Argue that injuries were preexisting
• Offer low settlements early
• Dispute liability despite clear evidence
• Use stereotypes about “reckless bikers”

We counter these tactics with evidence, expert reports, medical documentation, and aggressive negotiations.

Many riders face surgeries, physical therapy, mobility challenges, and permanent pain. Long-term injuries require:

• Life-care planning
• Vocational evaluations
• Future medical cost projections
• Testimony from specialists

We don’t settle until the full future impact is accounted for.

Motorcycle cases require deep resources, experienced trial lawyers, and a team that understands the unique challenges riders face. Morgan & Morgan brings:

• Decades of motorcycle litigation experience
• A reputation for standing up to insurers who lowball riders
• Access to accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals
• The size, strength, and resources needed to take cases to trial
• A track record of high-value settlements and verdicts

And with our contingency fee structure, you pay nothing up front and nothing out of pocket unless we win.

At Morgan & Morgan, our Jacksonville motorcycle accident attorneys step in when riders need someone in their corner. We understand how insurers attempt to shift blame, minimize injuries, or portray safe riders as reckless, and we won’t let them get away with it. With our resources and courtroom strength, we fight for riders, passengers, and families across Duval County who deserve accountability and full compensation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle crash or lost someone you love, you don’t have to take on the insurance companies alone. Let our Jacksonville motorcycle accident attorneys fight for the compensation and justice you deserve. Get a free case review today.