Jessica Burgoyne, leveraging a deep background in research methods and a passion for legal issues, distills complex legal concepts into accessible insights. With over 100 published articles, her work has been featured in Forbes Advisor and other respected publications. Her work, underpinned by rigorous research and a commitment to quality, offers readers trustworthy, actionable information.
Jessica Burgoyne
Jessica Burgoyne, leveraging a deep background in research methods and a passion for legal issues, distills complex legal concepts into accessible insights. With over 100 published articles, her work has been featured in Forbes Advisor and other respected publications. Her work, underpinned by rigorous research and a commitment to quality, offers readers trustworthy, actionable information.
Adam has resided at the intersection of legal and journalism for two decades. An award-winning journalist and legal strategist, he’s covered high-profile trials in Florida.
After law school, Adam and spent two years clerking for a U.S. District Court judge. He researched and wrote legal precedent in published opinions on behalf of the Court.
He has been an editor, columnist and journalist at the Miami Herald, The Dallas Morning News, The Oregonian, Golf Digest, FindLaw.com and other media outlets.
He lived in Colombia and Argentina teaching legal English to attorneys and law students. He is also a Spanish-language subject matter expert.
An avid waterman, he surfs and scuba dives frequently.
Reviewed
Adam Ramirez, J.D.
Adam has resided at the intersection of legal and journalism for two decades. An award-winning journalist and legal strategist, he’s covered high-profile trials in Florida.
After law school, Adam and spent two years clerking for a U.S. District Court judge. He researched and wrote legal precedent in published opinions on behalf of the Court.
He has been an editor, columnist and journalist at the Miami Herald, The Dallas Morning News, The Oregonian, Golf Digest, FindLaw.com and other media outlets.
He lived in Colombia and Argentina teaching legal English to attorneys and law students. He is also a Spanish-language subject matter expert.
An avid waterman, he surfs and scuba dives frequently.
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
With its beautiful weather and ocean breezes, Jacksonville, Florida is an amazing place to explore on a motorcycle. But when an accident occurs, it can be difficult to get the money you need to help you recover financially.
Here are ten of the best motorcycle accident lawyers in Jacksonville to help you get the support you need.
Read more
Show Summary
- Best Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Jacksonville
- Matthew B. Baggett
- Dennis P. Dore
- Henry E. Gare
- Holt Harrell
- Daniel A. Iracki
- Jason S. Miller
- Curry Pajcic
- Stephen J. Pajcic, III
- John M. Phillips
- Raymond M. Ravis, Jr.
- Compare Our Top Attorneys
- Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Florida
- How to Find the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Jacksonville, FL
- Methodology
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Next Up
Best Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Jacksonville
Compare Our Top Attorneys
Other Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Florida
Motorcycles have their own specific laws and regulations. Although many standard traffic laws apply as well, there’s more you need to know before getting on a motorcycle in Florida. Here are some of the Florida-specific motorcycle laws to be aware of.
Florida Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations refers to the period of time that a person has to bring a lawsuit against someone who has injured them. The statute of limitations law has recently changed in Florida, meaning that there are currently two different statutes, depending on the date you were injured.
- If you were injured before or on March 24, 2023, the statute of limitations for a motorcycle accident is four years.
- If you were injured after March 24, 2023, the statute of limitations for a motorcycle accident is two years.
The fact that there are two different statutes of limitations can be confusing. Your lawyer should be able to answer any questions about how your individual situation is affected.
Florida Laws for Motorcycle Drivers
- Helmet use. Florida motorcyclists are required to use helmets unless they are over 21 and carry a motorcycle insurance policy with at least $10,000 in medical benefits protection coverage (which can just be a health insurance policy). The law for passengers is the same as for the driver of the bike.
- Eye protection. All riders and passengers must wear eye protection at all times.
- Lane splitting. Lane splitting, or riding a motorcycle between two lanes of cars, is not allowed in Florida.
- Passenger requirements. Passengers must have a separate seat or fit comfortably on the main seat without crowding the driver. Passenger footrests must be available.
- License requirements. Motorcycle drivers must have a motorcycle endorsement (or a motorcycle license).
- Other requirements. Handlebars may not be higher than the rider’s shoulders. A headlight must always be used when the motorcycle is in operation. Motorcycles must not be modified to be louder than originally equipped.
Identifying Fault for a Motorcycle Crash
Florida determines fault using a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that the amount each party can recover is based on their own degree of fault.
For example, imagine that Rider A is riding on a cloudy day when he is cut off by Driver B, who pulls out in front of him, causing an accident. Rider A was not using his headlight at the time. Driver B might be determined to be 80% at fault for pulling out in front of Rider A, but Rider A was 20% at fault for not having his headlight on. In this case, Rider A could collect 80% of his damages.
Anyone who is more than 50% responsible for an accident cannot collect damages, so Driver B in the above example would not receive anything.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
You’re not required to hire a lawyer for a motorcycle accident case in Florida. However, having an attorney on your side can make your case much easier to handle.
After an accident, the insurance company may offer you a settlement. You’re free to accept this, but it’s important to realize that insurance companies aren’t going to be generous with their first offer. They will try to settle your case for as little as they can. This isn’t meant to be malicious, but insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and their job is to maximize their profit.
You can attempt to negotiate with the insurance company, but, in that case, you’ll be speaking with someone who has experience negotiating this sort of settlement. You’re likely to leave money on the table if you try to do this yourself.
If you can’t reach a fair settlement, the next step is to file a civil motorcycle accident suit against the other party or their insurance. This requires in-depth paperwork that must be filled out exactly, and potential time spent in court arguing your case.
An attorney can handle all of this for you. A personal injury lawyer will have experience negotiating settlements with insurance companies. If the case goes to trial, your attorney can take care of the paperwork and appear in court on your behalf.
How to Find the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Jacksonville, FL
It’s important to remember that there’s no such thing as the best attorney—just the best attorney for you. Here are some methods to determine who’s the right choice.
- Do they have experience with motorcycle accidents? Motorcycle accidents are different from car accidents, and an experienced attorney will understand the nuances of your case.
- What is their fee? Attorneys can charge different fees, and you don’t want to be surprised at the end of your case. Ask about fees. If an attorney doesn’t want to discuss them, it might be a sign to find someone else.
- How do they make you feel? This question might seem out of place when evaluating an attorney, but it’s essential. You’re going to be working closely with your lawyers, and different attorneys have different styles. Make sure that your attorney makes you feel comfortable.
Methodology
To come up with the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Jacksonville in 2024, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical module considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses & certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education & employment background
- Scholarly lectures & writings
- Awards & honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds, but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do motorcycle accident lawyers charge in Jacksonville, Florida?
Personal injury attorneys in Florida almost always work on a contingency basis, meaning that they only get paid if they win your case. Most attorneys charge fees between 30% and 40% of the recovery.
Is Florida an at-fault or a no-fault state?
Florida is considered a no-fault state, which means that, if you’re injured in an accident, your own insurance will pay for your medical bills, up to policy limits. This doesn’t mean that no one is held responsible for the accident; it just means that the initial medical bills will be covered by your own insurance instead of the other party’s.
Am I required to carry motorcycle insurance in Florida?
The answer is surprisingly complicated. Riders in Florida must show proof of financial responsibility. This doesn’t necessarily have to be motorcycle insurance, but that is often the best choice. You can also obtain a surety bond or a certificate of self-insurance to prove financial responsibility. However, a single accident can cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. The peace of mind provided by carrying a motorcycle insurance policy may be worth much more than the cost.
