Motorcycle Accidents

In the State of Florida, a motorcycle endorsement on the driver’s license is required for anyone riding a motorcycle. Florida also offers a motorcycle-only license. In order to get a motorcycle endorsement, riders must be at least 16 years of age, and for those under the age of 18, they must have no traffic convictions for one year. Riders must have at least a regular class E driver’s license, and they must complete the Basic Rider Course.

Motorcycle riders are subject to the same laws as automobile drivers. Motorcycles have the right to full use of a lane, yet two motorcycles may travel two-abreast in a single lane. Motorcycles cannot pass vehicles in the same lane as the vehicle, nor or they permitted to ride between lanes of traffic or adjacent rows of vehicles, what is commonly referred to as lane splitting.

Check out our blog on Motorcycle Riding Laws in Florida.

Under Florida law, motorists of any kind are not permitted to operate a vehicle while wearing a headset, headphones, or any other listening device, with the exception of a hearing aid. However, motorists may use a headset in conjunction with a cellphone or other device as long as it only provides sound through one ear, keeping the other ear open to other sounds of traffic. As a motorcyclist, keeping your ears on the road can be as important as keeping your eyes on it.

The most important thing to remember is to remain calm and follow these steps to ensure your rights and safety are protected:

• Immediately following the crash, move out of the roadway if possible and contact the police.
• If necessary, seek immediate medical care or assistance.
• Once you or the injured party have been stabilized, file a detailed police report of the accident and exchange contact and insurance information with the other party.
• Take photos of the accident scene and collect all the information you can, including names, insurance, and contact information of those involved in the accident as well as any witnesses and If possible, draw diagrams of the scene. These photos and diagrams are essential in assisting your accident attorney in evaluating your claims.

Even if you don’t think you’ve been hurt, you should be seen by a healthcare professional after any accident. Some injuries may not reveal themselves for days, weeks, or even years after an accident, and it is important to recognize the extent of your injuries to be sure there will be no long-term complications. Additionally, should your case be challenged, medical records will be very helpful in getting the help you need.

This will largely depend on the at-fault party’s insurance company and whether or not they operate in good faith to compensate you for the damages to your vehicle, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If the insurance company is unwilling to settle for a fair compensation, a lawsuit may become necessary.

The insurance provider’s job is to pay out as little as possible, and one of their greatest tactics is to delay. Without having an experienced attorney to help prod them along, settlements can take quite a long time, and lawsuits can take longer. While each accident is different and will have its own timeline, rest assured that your case will go more quickly and you will get a higher compensation if you have a good attorney.

Florida law allows up to four years to file a lawsuit after the initial injuries of a motorcycle accident. However, the earlier your case begins, the more likely it is to recover the compensation you deserve.