Schedule Your Free Consultation
(863) 343-3333
Schedule Your Free Consultation
(863) 343-3333
Have you or a loved one been injured in a motorcycle accident in Lakeland, FL? You’re probably feeling scared, worried, and even angry. Too often, motorcycle riders are victims of careless drivers. Insurance companies make the situation even worse by refusing to cover the damages they’re supposed to.
We know what you’re going through. Tim Maranatha has been a Lakeland motorcycle accident lawyer for a decade. He’s worked with people at their lowest moments—when they’re physically, mentally, and emotionally beaten up.
If you’re at this point yourself, give us a call and let us help.
Why Victims in Lakeland Need a Dedicated Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle accidents are different from car accidents. Motorcyclists are more vulnerable without a physical structure around them. Plus, they have to worry about special regulations, like those about helmet use or lane-splitting.
That’s why you need an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. Tim Maranatha understands both the laws around motorcycle accidents and the tactics insurers try to use to deny your claims. Tim is a Lakeland motorcycle accident lawyer you can put your trust in.
Injured in a Lakeland Motorcycle Accident? Let a Trusted Advocate Handle the Hard Part—While You Focus on Healing.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Lakeland
In Lakeland, FL, we see a high volume of motorcycle crashes, especially on roads like US 98, Memorial Boulevard, and FL 37. Most accidents we handle involve one or more of the following:
- Distracted drivers who are texting or using in-car tech,
- Unsafe lane changes by drivers who fail to check blind spots,
- Drivers failing to yield at intersections or stop signs,
- Speeding and aggressive driving,
- Left-turn accidents where cars turn in front of motorcycles, and
- Rear-end collisions caused by inattentive driving.
Our team investigates the cause of your crash from every angle. We work with accident reconstruction experts to analyze vehicle damage patterns and gather proof of fault. We also examine weather conditions, road maintenance issues, and vehicle defects to determine all possible contributing factors.
Where Lakeland Riders Face the Highest Risk
Certain stretches of road in Lakeland see more motorcycle wrecks than others. Congestion, lane design, and fast-moving traffic create conditions where motorcyclists are often overlooked or crowded out by larger vehicles.
- US 98 through north Lakeland. Traffic from shopping centers and side streets forces drivers to merge abruptly, and they often miss nearby motorcycles.
- Memorial Boulevard near I-4. Cars and trucks enter and exit at high speeds, and drivers often misjudge how close a motorcycle really is.
- South Florida Avenue near downtown. Tight lanes, steady turns, and heavy foot traffic reduce visibility, making it harder for drivers to spot motorcycles.
- Florida State Road 37 toward Mulberry. Higher speeds and busy intersections increase the risk of left-turn crashes when drivers fail to yield.
These roads see a concentration of serious motorcycle crashes, and riders hit in these areas often suffer life-changing injuries that require extensive medical care.
Injuries We Commonly See in Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcyclists are exposed. That means injuries are often severe. Common injuries we handle include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), even with helmet use;
- Spinal cord damage leading to paralysis or long-term disability;
- Broken bones and complex fractures requiring surgery;
- Severe road rash that can cause disfigurement or infection;
- Internal bleeding or organ damage; and
- Amputations due to crushing injuries or infection.
Even with a helmet and protective gear, a motorcycle accident can change your life. The road to recovery can be long and painful. Our Lakeland motorcycle accident lawyers fight to make sure your settlement reflects that. Recovery often involves surgery, physical therapy, psychological counseling, and lifestyle adjustments. You deserve to have these expenses fully compensated.
Florida Motorcycle Laws
We often get questions about three areas of Florida motorcycle law: helmets, lane splitting, and licensing.
Helmets
If you are over 21, you can ride a motorcycle without a helmet if you carry at least $10,000 medical coverage. Anyone under 21 must wear a helmet as a driver or passenger on a motorcycle.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting is illegal in the state of Florida. That means, as a motorcycle driver, you can’t pass a car within the same lane. You also can’t drive your motorcycle between lanes of traffic or rows of vehicles. You can, however, share a lane with one other motorcycle.
License
You must have a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license, or a “motorcycle only” license, to legally drive a motorcycle in Florida. If you have a valid motorcycle endorsement or license from another state, you meet this requirement, although there is additional proof you need to carry if your motorcycle endorsement is from Alabama.
Damages You Can Recover in a Motorcycle Accident Case
Even if you were partially at fault for your accident, Florida’s comparative fault law allows you to recieve compensation—as long as you aren’t more than 50% responsible.
At Maranatha, we pursue compensation for all your damages, including:
- Medical expenses (past and future),
- Lost wages and future earning potential,
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional distress,
- Property damage,
- Disability or disfigurement,
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and
- Out-of-pocket expenses like medication, travel to doctors, or home care.
Motorcycle accidents often involve life-altering consequences. Our job is to fight for your compensation to reflect the full impact. We consult with economists, vocational experts, and medical professionals to calculate your damages accurately. We also gather witness testimony and medical evidence to build a compelling narrative.
Statute of Limitations
You have only two years to file a personal injury claim after a motorcycle accident. Wait too long, and you will lose your chance to seek justice.
However, if a loved one died as a result of a motorcycle accident, your two years starts running on the day they died rather than the day of the accident.
The Insurance Company Is Not on Your Side
After a motorcycle crash, insurance adjusters may act like they’re trying to help. They’re not. Their job is to minimize payouts. They may:
- Offer a lowball settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries,
- Ask leading questions to get you to admit partial fault,
- Delay your claim to pressure you into settling, and
- Suggest you didn’t need certain treatments.
At Maranatha Law, we know their playbook, and we know how to push back. We fight to protect your rights and negotiate a fair settlement. If the insurance company won’t cooperate, we will stand up for you in court.
How Bias Against Motorcycles Affects Your Case
Motorcycle riders in Lakeland face unfair assumptions after crashes. Police reports may suggest speeding or reckless riding without proof. Insurance adjusters often focus on rider behavior instead of driver negligence, pointing to lane position, whether you wore proper protective gear, or how quickly the rider reacted.
Bias can also show up in medical treatment. Some doctors carry the belief that riding a motorcycle is inherently reckless. That assumption can creep into their evaluations, leading them to question pain complaints or downplay long-term effects. When that skepticism appears in medical records, insurers can seize on it to argue that your injuries are less severe than they are.
Florida’s comparative fault rule adds to the problem. If an insurer convinces a jury or adjuster that you share part of the blame, your recovery is reduced by that percentage. Even a small assignment of fault can cut into the compensation you need for medical care and lost income. Plus, if you are found more than 50% responsible for the crash, Floriia law prevents you from recovering damages at all.
A Lakeland motorcycle accident attorney can challenge this bias by presenting clear evidence of driver error, consulting medical experts who understand the full impact of motorcycle injuries, and building a record that reflects the reality of your recovery needs.
What Sets Maranatha Law Apart Among Lakeland Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
You won’t find our attorneys on billboards bragging about volume. We’re not a settlement mill. We build every motorcycle accident case with trial-level precision. That’s how we command top-dollar settlements—and if we don’t get an offer you deserve, we’ll take your case to court. Here’s how we do it:
- Proactive strategy. We preserve black box data, subpoena phone records, and act quickly to secure crucial evidence before it disappears.
- Personal care. Tim Maranatha takes your case personally. He speaks directly with clients and works to make their voices is heard.
- Proven system. We use a systematic legal process that forces insurers to take your case seriously. We know how to advocate for you at every stage.
We know injured riders are often blamed for accidents they didn’t cause. Our mission is to push back, uncover the truth, and secure justice.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Lakeland
What you do in the hours and days after a crash can make or break your case. Here are the steps we recommend:
- Call 911 and report the accident;
- Seek medical care immediately, even if you feel okay;
- Get the police report;
- Do not speak to the other driver’s insurance company—anything you say can be used against you; and
- Call Maranatha Law as soon as possible.
Motorcycle accidents are incredibly stressful. If you didn’t follow these steps perfectly at the time, that’s ok. We can still work with you to sort things out.
FAQs About Motorcycle Accidents in Lakeland
What Does It Cost to Hire Maranatha Law as My Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Lakeland?
We work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win. This means there are no upfront costs, hourly rates, or surprise bills. Our fee comes only from the compensation we recover for you, which allows you to focus on healing instead of worrying about legal expenses.
Do I Have to Go to Court?
Not always. Many cases settle before trial. But if trial becomes necessary, we’re ready and will prepare your case that way from day one. Preparing as if a trial will happen often strengthens your negotiating position and leads to better settlement offers from insurance companies.
How Long Will My Case Take?
Every motorcycle accident in Lakeland is different. Some cases settle in months; others may take a year or more if litigation is necessary. The timeline depends on your medical treatment, the complexity of the crash, and how insurers respond. A motorcycle crash lawyer can keep the case moving while working to maximize your recovery.
I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet. Can I Still Get Compensation?
Yes. Motorcyclists over 21 may legally ride without helmets in Florida if they carry $10,000 or more in medical coverage. Even if you didn’t meet that requirement, you may still recover damages if another driver caused the crash. The real question is whether your lack of a helmet contributed to your injuries, which requires medical and legal review.
The Insurance Company Says My Gear Wasn’t Adequate. Can That Reduce My Claim?
Insurers may argue that your protective clothing or equipment didn’t do enough to limit your injuries. Florida law doesn’t require gear beyond a helmet for some riders; liability still rests on the at-fault driver. A motorcycle crash lawyer can show that the crash itself, not your jacket or boots, was the cause of your injuries.
The Crash Report Says I “Came Out of Nowhere.” How Do I Fight That?
Police and insurance reports use this phrase when drivers fail to see motorcycles. Most crashes stem from drivers not checking mirrors or blind spots. Eyewitness accounts, video footage, and accident reconstruction can establish your position on the road. A motorcycle crash lawyer can use this evidence to counter biased assumptions in the report.
The Insurance Adjuster Wants a Recorded Statement. Is That Safe After a Motorcycle Crash?
Recorded statements are risky because insurers ask questions designed to shift blame. Insurance adjusters may twist even small comments to reduce your payout. You are not required to give a statement right away. Speaking with a motorcycle accident attorney first helps you avoid saying something insurers might use against you.
The Police Listed Me as “Traveling Too Fast for Conditions.” What Does That Mean?
This means the officer believed you should have slowed down because of road, traffic, or weather conditions. It doesn’t prove fault by itself. Insurance companies may still point to it when trying to reduce your payout, but a motorcycle accident attorney can review the evidence and show what contributed to or caused the crash.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
Right now, you probably feel so overwhelmed that even picking up the phone to call us seems daunting. That’s how the insurance companies want you to feel. They want to get away with paying you less than you’re owed.
Let us help. With the right compensation, you can start to heal and move forward.
Tim Maranatha has a 10-year track record of winning settlements as a motorcycle accident lawyer in Lakeland. He will handle your case personally.
Let us take the weight off your shoulders and fight for what you’re owed. Call now to schedule your free consultation. We’re here to help.