A motorcycle crash changes your life in seconds. At Neal & Solevilla Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent injured riders and grieving families across Clearwater, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties. Whether you were seriously hurt or lost someone you love, you should not have to face the insurance companies alone. Our job is to be your advocate, prove what happened, and recover the full compensation you are owed.
With a team that includes a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney, our firm is uniquely positioned to offer top-tier representation. When you choose Neal & Solevilla, you’re not just getting an attorney—you’re getting a team of dedicated professionals who will work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for you.
With a team that includes a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney, our firm is uniquely positioned to offer top-tier representation. When you choose Neal & Solevilla, you’re not just getting an attorney—you’re getting a team of dedicated professionals who will work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for you.
Why Motorcycle Accident Claims Are Different in Florida
Motorcycle accidents often result in more severe injuries compared to car accidents, simply because motorcyclists are more exposed to the elements and lack the same physical protection that a car provides. Whether you were injured due to another driver’s negligence, hazardous road conditions, or a defective motorcycle part, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries.
The legal process in a motorcycle accident case can be complicated, particularly when dealing with severe injuries or wrongful death claims. Insurance companies often try to downplay the seriousness of motorcycle accident injuries, or they may attempt to place the blame on the motorcyclist, capitalizing on unfair stereotypes about "reckless" riding. At Neal & Solevilla, we know how to combat these tactics and build a compelling case that focuses on the facts of your situation.
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Does Not Cover Motorcycle Riders
Here is something most riders do not learn until after a crash: Florida’s no-fault system does not apply to motorcycles. The Personal Injury Protection (PIP) law defines a covered “motor vehicle” as one with four or more wheels (Florida Statute 627.732), so motorcycles are excluded. You cannot buy PIP for a motorcycle, and the PIP coverage on your car will not pay for injuries you suffer while riding.
After a typical car accident, your own PIP pays 80% of your medical bills up to a $10,000 limit, regardless of who caused the crash. After a motorcycle accident, that safety net is gone. Your path to compensation runs through the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy, or Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage if you carry it.
That single difference makes proving fault and documenting your damages far more important in a motorcycle claim than in an ordinary car case. It is exactly where a Board Certified trial attorney earns their keep, and why riders should speak with a lawyer before giving any recorded statement to an insurer.
After a typical car accident, your own PIP pays 80% of your medical bills up to a $10,000 limit, regardless of who caused the crash. After a motorcycle accident, that safety net is gone. Your path to compensation runs through the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy, or Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage if you carry it.
That single difference makes proving fault and documenting your damages far more important in a motorcycle claim than in an ordinary car case. It is exactly where a Board Certified trial attorney earns their keep, and why riders should speak with a lawyer before giving any recorded statement to an insurer.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries We Handle
With no steel cage, seatbelt, or airbag, a rider absorbs the full force of a collision. The injuries we see are more severe and longer-lasting than in most car crashes. The cases we handle most often involve:
- Traumatic brain injuries, even when a helmet was worn
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Road rash severe enough to need skin grafts
- Broken bones and nerve damage, including “biker’s arm”
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Crush injuries and amputations
Many of these require surgery, months of rehabilitation, or lifelong care. We work with treating physicians and medical experts to document the full cost of your recovery so the at-fault driver’s insurer cannot understate what your injuries truly cost.
Why Choose Neal & Solevilla?
When selecting a law firm to handle your motorcycle accident case, experience, reputation, and a proven track record of success are crucial factors. Here’s why Neal & Solevilla should be your top choice:
1. Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney on Your Side
Not every lawyer can call themselves Board Certified—this distinction is reserved for attorneys who have met the highest standards in trial practice. The Florida Bar awards that certification only after at least five years in practice, at least 15 contested civil cases, favorable peer review and a written examination. At Neal & Solevilla, our board certified civil trial attorney, Katherine Neal, met that standard. If an insurer refuses a fair settlement, we are ready to take your case to trial.
Many personal injury cases are settled out of court, but when a trial is necessary, it is vital to have a lawyer who is comfortable and competent in front of a judge and jury. If an insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we will not hesitate to take your case to trial to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Many personal injury cases are settled out of court, but when a trial is necessary, it is vital to have a lawyer who is comfortable and competent in front of a judge and jury. If an insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we will not hesitate to take your case to trial to fight for the compensation you deserve.
2. A Track Record of Success in Motorcycle Accident Cases
A proven track record, handled personally. We have recovered compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering for riders across Tampa Bay, and you work directly with our attorneys from day one—never handed off to a junior associate. We reconstruct the crash, gather the evidence, and bring in medical experts to build a case the insurer cannot dismiss.
3. No Attorney Fees Unless We Win
At Neal & Solevilla, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. Case costs are separate from the fee and are set out in your written fee agreement. We believe that every accident victim deserves access to high-quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. When you hire us, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal aspects of your case.
Motorcycle accidents can create a wide range of legal issues, from recovering compensation for medical bills to addressing the long-term impact of a disability that keeps you from returning to work. At Neal & Solevilla, we provide comprehensive legal services that cover every aspect of your case, pursuing the full range of damages you may be owed — including medical expenses from emergency treatment through ongoing care, lost wages and any future earning capacity you lose if you can't return to work, pain and suffering for the physical and emotional toll you've endured, property damage to repair or replace your motorcycle, and, if you've lost a loved one, wrongful death damages covering funeral expenses and loss of companionship.
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What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to take the right steps to protect your legal rights. Here are a few things you should do immediately after the accident:
1. Seek Medical Attention: Even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, it’s essential to see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries may not be apparent right away but can worsen over time.
2. Gather Evidence: If you’re able to, take pictures of the accident scene, the vehicle that hit you, your injuries, and the damage to your motorcycle. Get the contact information of any witnesses.
3. Report the Accident: Contact law enforcement and file a police report. This report can provide critical information in your case.
4. Contact an Attorney: The sooner you contact a lawyer, the better. At Neal & Solevilla, we offer a free consultation to review your case and explain your legal options.
1. Seek Medical Attention: Even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, it’s essential to see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries may not be apparent right away but can worsen over time.
2. Gather Evidence: If you’re able to, take pictures of the accident scene, the vehicle that hit you, your injuries, and the damage to your motorcycle. Get the contact information of any witnesses.
3. Report the Accident: Contact law enforcement and file a police report. This report can provide critical information in your case.
4. Contact an Attorney: The sooner you contact a lawyer, the better. At Neal & Solevilla, we offer a free consultation to review your case and explain your legal options.
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Motorcycle Accidents in the Tampa Bay Area: Florida Is the Most Dangerous State for Riders in America
In 2024, Florida recorded 9,455 motorcycle crashes. Motorcyclists make up only about 2% of total crashes yet account for about 18% of all traffic deaths in the state (FLHSMV, 2024). That gap, between how rarely motorcycle crashes occur relative to all crashes, and how often they kill, is the defining fact of riding in Florida.
It means that when a motorcyclist is involved in a crash, the outcome is catastrophically more likely to be fatal or seriously injurious than in any other crash type on the road. Riders have no crumple zone, no airbags, no steel cage. Every impact is direct.
Even with a slight decline in recent years, Florida motorcycle fatalities totaled 549 in 2025, down from 599 in 2024 and 621 in 2023. The state has consistently ranked #1 in the nation for motorcycle-related deaths.
It means that when a motorcyclist is involved in a crash, the outcome is catastrophically more likely to be fatal or seriously injurious than in any other crash type on the road. Riders have no crumple zone, no airbags, no steel cage. Every impact is direct.
Even with a slight decline in recent years, Florida motorcycle fatalities totaled 549 in 2025, down from 599 in 2024 and 621 in 2023. The state has consistently ranked #1 in the nation for motorcycle-related deaths.
Hillsborough County Ranked Second In The State
Hillsborough County ranked second in the state for motorcycle fatalities in 2024, with 35 deaths, and the broader Tampa Bay region, including Pinellas and Pasco Counties, consistently records among the highest motorcycle fatality rates in all of Florida. (FLHSMV, 2024)
US Route 19, One Of The Deadliest Roads
US Route 19, which runs directly through Pinellas County, has been frequently cited as one of the most dangerous corridors.
For motorcyclists, US-19 presents a particularly brutal set of conditions: wide lanes that encourage high speeds, frequent left-turn access points from commercial driveways, poor sightlines at cross-traffic intersections, and a corridor design that predates modern safety standards for the traffic volumes it now carries.
For motorcyclists, US-19 presents a particularly brutal set of conditions: wide lanes that encourage high speeds, frequent left-turn access points from commercial driveways, poor sightlines at cross-traffic intersections, and a corridor design that predates modern safety standards for the traffic volumes it now carries.
Spring Is the Busiest Season on Florida Roads
Bike Week, spring break and a surge of visitors put more riders and more unfamiliar drivers on the same roads at the same time. Florida does not break motorcycle deaths down by month, so nobody can honestly tell you which month is worst. What the state does record is the severity gap: 9,455 motorcycle crashes in 2024 and 598 people killed in them, including 376 crashes and 26 deaths in Pinellas County alone.
Left-Turn Collisions
Nationally, in 45% of the 3,396 fatal two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and another vehicle in 2024, the other vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing or overtaking (NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts, 2024 Data: Motorcycles). This is the single most common scenario in which a motorcyclist is killed: a driver in a passenger vehicle turns left at an intersection or driveway, misjudging or failing to see an oncoming rider.
Unhelmeted Crashes
Florida's partial helmet exemption is one of the most consequential road safety decisions in the state's legislative history. Under Florida Statute 316.211, a rider over 21 who carries at least $10,000 in medical benefits is not required to wear a helmet. A rider who is exactly 21 still must.
Every rider aged 21 or under must wear a DOT-compliant helmet at all times. Of the 656 motorcycle drivers and passengers killed in Florida crashes in 2024, 256, or 39%, were not wearing a helmet (FLHSMV, Florida Traffic Crash Facts Annual Report 2024)
Motorcycle accident cases require immediate action, evidence disappears fast, and insurance companies move quickly to minimize what they pay. As Board Certified Trial Lawyers, Neal & Solevilla have the courtroom experience that gets results. Call us 24/7. No attorney fees unless you win. Costs are set out in your fee agreement.
Every rider aged 21 or under must wear a DOT-compliant helmet at all times. Of the 656 motorcycle drivers and passengers killed in Florida crashes in 2024, 256, or 39%, were not wearing a helmet (FLHSMV, Florida Traffic Crash Facts Annual Report 2024)
Motorcycle accident cases require immediate action, evidence disappears fast, and insurance companies move quickly to minimize what they pay. As Board Certified Trial Lawyers, Neal & Solevilla have the courtroom experience that gets results. Call us 24/7. No attorney fees unless you win. Costs are set out in your fee agreement.
Disclaimer: Sources: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Florida Traffic Crash Facts and Crash Dashboard; U.S. DOT National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Figures verified August 2026.
Contact Neal & Solevilla Today for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, don’t wait to seek legal help. The team at Neal & Solevilla Personal Injury Lawyers is ready to provide the compassionate and aggressive representation you need. With decades of experience, Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney, and a dedication to client success, we will work tirelessly to secure the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. Let us take the burden of legal worries off your shoulders so you can focus on healing and moving forward.
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If you’re looking for proven, compassionate, and highly skilled representation after a motorcycle accident, Neal & Solevilla is here for you. Don’t face the legal process alone—call us today!
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. Let us take the burden of legal worries off your shoulders so you can focus on healing and moving forward.
---
If you’re looking for proven, compassionate, and highly skilled representation after a motorcycle accident, Neal & Solevilla is here for you. Don’t face the legal process alone—call us today!
Frequently asked questions about Clearwater motorcycle accidents
Florida motorcycle accident claims at a glance
- Florida PIP does not cover motorcycles, because Statute 627.732(3) defines a motor vehicle as having four or more wheels.
- Because riders get no PIP, Florida courts have held that a motorcyclist does not have to clear the permanent injury threshold before claiming pain and suffering from the at-fault driver.
- A rider over 21 may go without a helmet only while carrying at least $10,000 in medical benefits, under Statute 316.211(3)(b).
- Florida does not require an ordinary driver to carry any bodily injury liability coverage, so the car that hits you may have none.
- Pinellas County recorded 376 motorcycle crashes and 26 motorcyclist deaths in 2024, according to the FLHSMV.
Does Florida’s no-fault insurance (PIP) cover motorcycle accidents?
No. Florida’s PIP law covers only “motor vehicles” with four or more wheels (Florida Statute 627.732), so motorcycles are excluded. You cannot buy PIP for a motorcycle, and the PIP on your car will not pay for injuries you suffer while riding. Compensation instead comes from the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, or MedPay if you carry it.
Do I have to wear a helmet to ride a motorcycle in Florida?
Riders under 21 must wear a DOT-compliant helmet at all times. Only a rider over 21 may go without one, and only while covered by a policy providing at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries from a motorcycle crash, under Florida Statute 316.211(3)(b). A rider who is exactly 21 still has to wear a helmet.
Can the insurance company blame me for not wearing a helmet?
They may try. Florida uses comparative negligence, so an insurer can argue that going helmetless added to a head injury, but only if not wearing a helmet actually contributed to that specific injury. An attorney can challenge that argument and protect your recovery.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in Florida?
Two years from the date of the crash for most negligence claims, shortened from four years in March 2023. Miss the deadline and the court will almost certainly dismiss your case, so it is best to start early while evidence is fresh.
What is my motorcycle accident case worth?
It depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, lost income, and the long-term impact on your life. No honest lawyer can quote a number without reviewing the facts, which is why we offer a free case review.
How much does a motorcycle accident lawyer cost?
Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee, so you pay no attorney fee unless we win compensation for you.
Do I have to prove a permanent injury to sue the driver who hit my motorcycle?
No, and this is one area where riders are treated better than drivers. Because a motorcyclist receives no PIP, Florida courts have held that the permanent injury threshold in Statute 627.737(2) does not apply to a claim against the at-fault driver. The threshold does come back if you claim on your own uninsured motorist coverage, under Statute 627.727(7).
Who pays my medical bills after a Florida motorcycle accident?
Not PIP, because motorcycles sit outside the no-fault system. In practice the bills go to your health insurance, any medical payments coverage on your bike policy, or a letter of protection from a treating doctor, and you recover from the at-fault driver at the end. This is why uninsured motorist coverage matters more to riders than to anyone else on the road.
Can the driver who hit me have no injury coverage at all?
Yes. Florida requires a car owner to carry $10,000 of PIP and $10,000 of property damage liability, and nothing more. Bodily injury liability is optional for an ordinary driver under Statute 324.022. Since you have no PIP of your own as a rider, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is often the only real source of money.
