Florida PIP (personal injury protection) insurance does not cover motorcycles; it only covers vehicles with four wheels.
The 2021 Florida Statutes state that while Florida Statutes § 627.736 covers all four-wheeled motor vehicles, it does not provide coverage for motorcycles or other self-propelled forms of transportation. Instead, Florida Statutes § 324.021 recommends motorcyclists maintain a different type of insurance that provides financial responsibility in an accident.
Make Sure Your Motorcycle Has Adequate Coverage
A collision between a vehicle and a motorcycle can leave riders with severe injuries for a variety of reasons. First, a motorcycle is much smaller and lighter than a typical passenger vehicle. Additionally, a motorcycle rider is more exposed and vulnerable than the occupants of a car.
Florida Statutes § 324.021 requires motorcyclists to have insurance coverage or proof of financial responsibility in the following amounts:
- The bodily injury or death of one person: $10,000
- The bodily injury or death of multiple people: $20,000
- Property damage or destruction: $10,000
Do not rely on Florida PIP to cover motorcycles in a collision. Take steps to secure motorcycle insurance you can depend on when you need it most.
Motorcycle Insurance Is a Strategic Choice in Florida
Although motorcycle PIP insurance is not available in Florida, it is always a smart choice to cover yourself with insurance protection. The mandatory auto insurance that includes Florida PIP does not cover motorcycles, which can leave a motorcyclist in financial distress following an accident.
If your motorcycle is completely uninsured, you can still be held financially responsible for medical bills and other expenses after a collision. Florida law requires every registered motorcycle owner to provide proof of financial responsibility, making insurance coverage a smart choice, even if it is not a legal requirement.
Motorcycle Riders Can Still Sue an At-Fault Driver for an Accident
While PIP doesn’t cover motorcyclists in Florida, they can still sue to recover damages from the party that caused their accident. They could seek economic (financial) and non-economic (non-financial) losses for how the accident has affected their quality of life. Recovering after such a traumatic event can affect a person for the rest of their lives, and they deserve to be compensated so they can recover as fully as possible.
Economic damages include:
- Medical expenses (past, present, and ongoing rehabilitation treatment)
- Lost income due to being out of work to recover from their injuries
- Reduced earning potential if their injuries prevent them from returning to work
- Therapy and counseling
- Property damage (i.e., the repair or replacement of a motorcycle, helmet, riding gear)
In addition to pain and suffering, non-economic damages can include:
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Scarring and/or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
How a Lawyer Can Help Motorcycle Riders Seek Financial Recovery
Injured motorcycle riders can seek legal representation to protect their rights and pursue financial recovery that helps them meet their post-accident needs. Hiring a personal injury lawyer ensures a professional takes care of their legal matters so they can focus on healing.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries or damage in a motorcycle accident, you may want to consult an attorney as soon as possible. A free consultation can help you decide if filing an insurance claim or lawsuit is the right move for you and your family.
A Lawyer Can Negotiate With Insurers for Your Financial Recovery
An injury lawyer can review the crash details, investigate and gather evidence, talk with witnesses, various experts, identify liable parties, establish how negligence caused the accident, and evaluate their client’s injuries and losses to determine how much compensation to request from the at-fault party. They can also negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurer and file a civil lawsuit if those talks do not yield a settlement for their client.
An Injury Lawyer Can Start on a Motorcycle Case Without an Upfront Fee
Many injury lawyers work on contingency, which means motorcycle riders likely will need no money to hire an attorney to work on their case. This ensures they get legal care promptly with little to no risk to them. Contingency means the attorney will get paid only if they recover awards for their client. This payment will be a percentage of the settlement or court-ordered award.
Motorcyclists in Florida Must Comply With Other Regulations
Florida law requires motorcycle owners to demonstrate financial responsibility in case of an accident.
Additionally, Statute 316.211 also requires riders to take certain safety measures, including:
- A helmet, if the rider is under 21 years old
- Protective eyewear while driving a motorcycle
- Specific license plates for drivers younger than 21 years old
Additional regulations also require specific safety measures for riders under the age of 16.
Not Wearing Safety Gear During the Crash? You Could Still Sue for Damages
Whether you were wearing safety gear or not during the accident, you can still seek damages. Even if a motorcyclist is partially responsible for an accident, they may still be able to recover damages. Florida’s comparative negligence law, Florida Statutes § 768.81, allows plaintiffs in injury cases to collect some compensation. Their percentage of fault in the accident is deducted from the award they win. So, if they were to recover 30,000 but were found 20% liable for the crash, they would collect $24,000 instead of the full amount.
Obtain Motorcycle Insurance in Florida
Florida’s PIP laws only cover owners of motor vehicles with four wheels. Florida PIP insurance does not include motorcycles or other self-propelled vehicles. If you or a family member are involved in a motorcycle collision, you cannot rely on PIP coverage. Lack of any motorcycle insurance protection can leave you with mounting bills after an accident.
Do not risk driving or riding on your motorcycle without beneficial insurance protection in place. Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine at 1-800-747-3733 to discuss the coverage you need as a responsible motorcycle owner. If you have been in an accident, we can review your legal options with you during a free consultation.
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