Pinellas County is one of the most densely populated counties in Florida, packed onto a peninsula with heavy commuter traffic, seasonal visitors, and beach roads that draw riders year-round. Our office in Oldsmar sits at the county’s northeastern edge, and Pinellas riders and their families are a core part of the community we serve.
Roads That Demand Attention
Every rider in Pinellas knows certain corridors call for extra caution:
- US 19 runs the length of the county with heavy traffic, frequent lane changes, and busy commercial driveways from Pinellas Park through Clearwater, Palm Harbor, and Tarpon Springs.
- Gulf to Bay Boulevard and the Courtney Campbell Causeway carry heavy traffic between Clearwater and Tampa, with frequent turns into businesses along the boulevard.
- Ulmerton Road crosses mid-county with multiple lanes and high volumes near the airport and industrial areas.
- Gulf Boulevard and the beach communities bring pedestrians, rental vehicles, and visitors unfamiliar with the area.
- Alternate 19 through Dunedin and Palm Harbor, and the Bayside Bridge, are popular with riders and busy with commuters.
The common thread is drivers turning across traffic, changing lanes, and pulling out of driveways and parking lots. Those are the movements most likely to put a car in a rider’s path.
Visitors and Rental Vehicles
During peak season and events, Pinellas roads fill with drivers unfamiliar with the area. A crash with a rental car or an out-of-state driver raises coverage questions, including which insurer covers the rental and what limits apply. These claims can involve rental company policies, the driver’s own policy from another state, and the rider’s UM coverage.
Local Court Process
Pinellas County civil cases are filed in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which covers Pinellas and Pasco counties. Smaller claims may be filed in county court and larger ones in circuit court. Knowing local practices and procedures helps a case move efficiently.
What Pinellas Riders Should Do After a Crash
Make sure the responding agency, whether a city police department, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, or the Florida Highway Patrol, completes a crash report. Photograph the scene, especially intersections and driveways. Note nearby businesses, since many along US 19 and Gulf to Bay have cameras that may have recorded the crash, and that footage may be overwritten quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are motorcycle injury lawsuits in Pinellas County filed?
In the Sixth Judicial Circuit’s county or circuit court, depending on the amount in controversy.
I was hit by a tourist in a rental car. Whose insurance pays?
It depends on the rental agreement, the driver’s own policy, and whether coverage was purchased from the rental company. Your own UM coverage may also apply.
Do I need a lawyer located in Pinellas County?
Your lawyer should know the local courts and practices. Our Oldsmar office is located at the edge of Pinellas County and serves riders throughout the county.
Which agency investigates crashes on US 19?
It depends on the location. City police departments, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, or the Florida Highway Patrol may respond.
Working With Licznerski Law, PLLC
Licznerski Law, PLLC is a boutique personal injury and insurance law firm based in Oldsmar, serving riders throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter, and surrounding counties, and statewide. When you hire the firm, Alexander Licznerski handles your case personally. Your calls and questions go to your attorney, not a rotating case manager, and the firm keeps a selective caseload so each case gets real attention.
Motorcycle cases also draw on the firm’s insurance coverage and PIP litigation practice. Because riders have no PIP, finding every available source of coverage, including UM, medical payments, household policies, and responsible third parties, is often what determines whether a serious injury is fully compensated.
Motorcycle injury cases are handled on a contingency fee. The written fee agreement explains the percentage and how case costs are handled, including whether you could be responsible for any costs, before you sign anything.
A candid note on HB 837: The 2023 tort reform law changed several rules that matter to injured riders. It shortened the general negligence deadline to two years, adopted the rule that bars recovery for a plaintiff found more than 50% at fault, changed how medical expenses are proven at trial, and eliminated the automatic attorney’s fee award that once applied when an insured successfully sued their own auto insurer. Those changes make early investigation and realistic case evaluation more important, and the firm will tell you plainly how they apply to your situation.
Talk to Your Attorney Directly
If you or someone in your family was hurt in a motorcycle crash anywhere in the Tampa Bay area, you can speak directly with attorney Alexander Licznerski about what happened and what options may be available.
Licznerski Law, PLLC | Oldsmar, Florida
Phone: 813-406-0782 | Web: licznerskilaw.com | Email: [email protected]
Boutique Representation. Real Results. Your Attorney, Not a Case Number.
This article provides general information about Florida law and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case depends on its own facts, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.