There is a misconception that Florida motorcyclists’ only auto insurance obligation is carrying at least $10,000 worth of personal injury protection (PIP). In large part, this confusion is a result of the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law’s exclusion of motorcycles from its definition of motor vehicles.
However, motorcycles are categorized as motor vehicles under the State’s Financial Responsibility statutes, mandating proof of additional coverage where a motorcycle is involved in an accident.
At Largey Law Firm, you can be sure that a dedicated lawyer, not a case manager, will handle your case from start to finish. We will not allow Florida’s perplexing statutory language to get between you and the remedy you need when dealing with insurance companies after a Florida motorcycle accident.
The Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law
Florida implements a no-fault system to regulate most personal and property injury reimbursements related to auto accidents. Fla. Stat. §§ 627.730𑂾627.7405 (The Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law) specifies that motor vehicles must have four or more wheels, thereby omitting motorcycles.
A no-fault system prompts drivers to buy a certain amount of auto insurance to protect against potential personal injury and property losses. This system allows people to settle claims internally, relieving them from determining which drivers were at fault for causing the crash that led to the claimed injuries.
The caveat for motorcycles is found in Fla. Stat. § 316.211(3)(b). That provision requires a motorcyclist to purchase a policy covering their medical benefits, insuring $10,000 or more for injuries they may sustain in a collision. However, this PIP coverage is not necessary unless the motorcyclist is at least 21 years old and is riding without securely fastened headgear that complies with federal standards.
The Financial Responsibility Law of 1955
In contrast, Florida’s Financial Responsibility Law of 1955 (Fla. Stat. §§ 324.011𑂾324.252) is applicable to motorcycles. In this law, the definition of motor vehicle includes motorcycles, meaning that in the event of an accident, a motorcyclist is obligated to provide proof of financial responsibility.
Adequate proof is satisfied by an insurance policy for financial responsibility that offers the following coverage for any single accident: $10,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $20,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people with a $10,000 limit per person, and $10,000 for destruction of others’ property.
Proof of financial responsibility helps ensure that a motorcyclist can respond in damages when they cause an accident that injures others. Unlike Florida’s no-fault rules, the Financial Responsibility Law protects a person harmed in motorcycle collisions by drawing compensation from the at-fault motorcyclist’s insurer.
Get a Lawyer Trained in Florida Law Who Has Your Best Interest at Heart
The attorneys at Largey Law Firm have practical experience serving clients affected by the State’s ambiguous rules for motorcycle insurance.
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle crash, Largey Law Firm’s lawyers could provide a hands-on approach to your claim. We fight for the reimbursement you need, whether that is by negotiating a settlement with your own insurer or the insurance company of an at-fault motorcyclist or going to court if insurance offers are insufficient to cover the extent of your injuries. Reach out to our firm to discuss your options.