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Florida Motorcycle Laws And Injury Claims
Florida offers year-round riding weather, but it also ranks among the most dangerous states for motorcyclists. Knowing your rights and responsibilities under state law is essential, especially if you’re injured in a crash. Our attorneys bring 80 years of combined personal injury law experience to every case, fighting for the rights of injured riders. If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle collision, our Tampa, FL motorcycle accident lawyer can help you understand Florida’s complicated injury laws and recover the compensation you deserve.
Florida’s Helmet Laws And How They Affect Your Claim
Under Florida law, riders over the age of 21 are not required to wear a helmet as long as they carry at least $10,000 in medical insurance coverage. While it’s legal to ride without a helmet, doing so can impact your injury claim. Insurance companies may argue that your injuries were worsened by your choice not to wear one, potentially reducing your settlement through the doctrine of comparative negligence.
Whether or not you were wearing a helmet, our knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney will fight to make sure that your rights are protected and that fault is assigned fairly under the law.
Legality Of Lane-Splitting In Florida
Lane-splitting, the practice of riding a motorcycle between lanes of slow-moving or stopped cars, is a common technique riders leverage to get through traffic faster. However, Florida does not legally allow lane-splitting. Riding between lanes in Tampa or anywhere in Florida can expose you to traffic citations and complicate injury claims if you’re involved in a crash while lane-splitting.
If you’ve been injured and lane-splitting was involved, it’s critical to work with our experienced vehicle accident lawyer who understands how this behavior may affect liability and damages. We carefully evaluate the facts of every case to build the strongest claim possible while protecting your rights.
Importance Of Following Standard Traffic Laws
Motorcyclists, like all drivers, must follow Florida’s standard traffic laws, including obeying speed limits, signaling lane changes, merging safely, and stopping at traffic signals. Failure to comply with these laws can not only put you at greater risk of accidents but also affect the outcome of your injury claim.
For example, if you were speeding or failed to signal when merging, insurance companies might argue that you contributed to the crash. Our skilled personal injury lawyer can help analyze the circumstances and advocate for you, so that fault is fairly assigned and your rights are protected.
Filing A Motorcycle Injury Claim In Florida
Florida is a no-fault insurance state, but that doesn’t apply to motorcyclists. Unlike car drivers, riders are not required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which means you may have to pursue compensation directly from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
To succeed in a claim, you must prove that the other driver’s negligence directly caused your injuries. This is where skilled legal representation makes the difference. From gathering evidence and working with accident reconstruction experts to negotiating with insurers, our attorney will guide you through every step.
Know Your Rights After A Motorcycle Crash In Tampa
Motorcycle accidents are different from car crashes in both the injuries they cause and the legal hurdles they present. At Mickey Keenan, P.A., we’re driven by the belief that your fight is our fight. We’re here to stand up for injured riders and hold negligent drivers accountable.
Whether your case involves minor injuries or life-altering trauma, our experienced team will fight with integrity, loyalty, and unwavering commitment. Contact us today to speak with our Tampa motorcycle accident attorney who will treat your case with the seriousness it deserves and help you get back on the road to recovery.