Technically, insurance is not required for motorcycles in Florida. Unlike four-wheeled vehicles, motorcyclists do not need to show proof of insurance to register their bikes. However, riders are financially responsible for injuries that occur in accidents they cause. For this reason, and because they will need to show financial responsibility after this type of crash, investing in a liability policy is often a good choice.
When a motorcyclist is hurt in a collision caused by someone else, they don’t have the option of no-fault coverage like most drivers in Florida. Instead, they will need to seek other options to recover compensation. A Florida motorcycle accident lawyer can help them understand their next steps and how this process works.
Florida has complex auto insurance requirements. According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), most drivers in the state (those who drive vehicles with four or more wheels) must have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. Also known as “no-fault insurance,” these policies pay for a portion of the policyholder’s medical bills and lost income after a crash. They must meet certain criteria to pursue a fault-based case.
Some laws require drivers to have a minimum amount of coverage if they cause a crash and someone else suffers serious injuries.
PIP coverage is not available to those whose vehicles have fewer than four wheels. This includes motorcycles. In fact, riders cannot use PIP payments after a motorcycle crash even if they have another vehicle and pay for the policy. However, they must still abide by the state’s financial responsibility law. This ensures they can pay at least $10,000 if someone else suffers injuries in a crash they caused.
In some cases, motorcyclists must also have medical coverage of at least $10,000. This would pay for their own treatment after a crash, regardless of the cause. The state requires this when the rider is over the age of 21 and rides without a helmet. Some options for medical benefits protection include:
There are also many types of optional insurance for motorcyclists. This includes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (which is important in Florida because of the high percentage of uninsured drivers). For some, it is their only option to recover compensation following a crash.
Because of Florida’s PIP requirements, most crash victims pursue compensation through their own insurance company following a crash. To sue the at-fault driver, they must meet certain criteria and prove their injuries are serious. However, these no-fault laws exclude motorcycles and those hurt while riding them.
A motorcyclist hurt when another driver causes a crash can sue and hold that driver legally responsible regardless of their injuries or severity. They can pursue compensation through a liability insurance claim or lawsuit without needing to show that they meet the statutory thresholds necessary in other types of traffic accidents.
Florida’s financial responsibility law requires all drivers, including motorcyclists, to show they can pay for bodily injury and property damage after a crash they caused. They often accomplish this by purchasing an auto liability insurance policy. The requirements for this policy include:
If the crash victim was behind the wheel of a passenger car, their PIP coverage should pay for a portion of their medical care costs and lost income. If they suffered serious injuries, they could have the option of pursuing additional compensation from the at-fault motorcyclist. At that time, the motorcyclist must provide proof of financial responsibility.
There are many ways to do this, but most commonly, they purchase an auto liability insurance policy for motorcycles.
Florida law regarding motorcycle insurance is complicated. You could have several options for seeking compensation if another driver’s carelessness or recklessness caused your collision and injuries. This could include:
Your best option to determine your next steps is to discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer. Lawyers who handle motorcycle accident claims in Boca Raton, Florida understand the insurance system and the best way to seek and recover compensation based on your case facts. Your lawyer can:
Personal injury lawyers in Boca Raton usually work based on contingency. They don’t ask clients to pay upfront fees or charge by the hour. Instead, their attorney’s fees are a percentage of the total financial recovery in the case. This ensures your law firm wants you to win and recover as much money as possible. If they do not win your case, they do not get paid.
