Motorcycle laws are passed to keep bikers and everyone else safe on the road. However, even if you obey all laws, accidents can occur, leaving you with injuries, a damaged bike, and various other expenses. If the motorcycle accident was someone else’s fault, you may be able to file a claim and receive compensation.
To have a chance to recover your losses, it’s essential to hire legal counsel. At Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our Jacksonville motorcycle accident lawyers will provide the ongoing support you need. Our experienced lawyers have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.
Schedule a free consultation to learn more about motorcycle laws in Florida and what to do if you’re in an accident. You cant contact our law office online or by calling (904) 356-6071.
How Coker Law Can Help After A Motorcycle Accident In Jacksonville, FL
Understanding Florida’s motorcycle laws is crucial after an accident. At Coker Law, our Jacksonville motorcycle accident attorneys are well-versed in Florida statutes governing motorcycle use.
Our Jacksonville motorcycle accident lawyers can help you in the following ways:
- Assessment of the claim
- Investigation into the motorcycle accident
- Collection of evidence
- Calculation of damages
- Negotiation with insurance companies
- Representation in court, if necessary
Our team has served the area of Jacksonville for almost five decades. In this time, we’ve helped clients recover substantial settlements and jury awards in cases involving everything from collisions to slip and fall accidents and medical malpractice. Our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers have been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers, Martindale Hubbell, and Super Lawyers.
Call our law office in Jacksonville, Florida, to schedule a free consultation.
Florida Motorcycle Laws
Florida has numerous laws in place to ensure that those operating motorcycles have the right training and know-how to keep themselves safe. One of the first things to remember is that you must have a Motorcycle-Only license or an endorsement on your driver’s license.
Insurance is not required unless you’d like to be exempt from wearing a helmet. Florida requires that anyone riding or operating a motorcycle who is under 21 wear a helmet. You don’t have to wear a helmet if you are 21 or older and have at least $10,000 in medical insurance. However, you still need to wear eye protection unless your motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.
The state requires that all motorcycles keep their headlights on during the day and night. This rule is meant to help others see you more easily.
In Florida, lane splitting is illegal. This means that motorcycles can’t move between lanes of traffic. Two bikes can ride alongside each other on the same lane, and a single motorcyclist has the right to take up the entire space in their lane. Doing any stunts or racing is illegal.
It’s legal to carry a passenger on the bike as long as they have their own footrest. They can’t share the driver’s.
What To Do After A Motorcycle Accident In Florida
After being in a motorcycle accident, filing a claim can be the best way to receive compensation for your losses. Although most traffic accidents in Florida would require you to file against your own insurance, motorcycles are not covered by Florida’s no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance unless the rider has purchased separate medical coverage.
For most bikers, the next step is to begin a claim against the other driver. This requires showing that the other party was negligent. You can do this by demonstrating that they owed you a duty of care that they breached and that their conduct resulted in your losses.
Keep in mind that you can still recover compensation if you were partly to blame for the crash. That’s because Florida has modified comparative negligence laws. Your percentage of blame will reduce your winnings.
Hiring an attorney as soon as possible allows you to gather the necessary evidence, negotiate with insurers, and avoid missing the deadline for filing the claim. You have two years to do so in Florida, but there may be exceptions that shorten the timeline.
Contact Our Jacksonville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
It can be devastating to be in a motorcycle accident despite following all of Florida’s laws. If the accident occurred because of another party’s negligence, filing a claim could help you cover medical expenses and all other losses you suffered. You should never do this alone, however.
At Coker Law, our team of Jacksonville motorcycle accident lawyers can help you understand your rights and fight for fair compensation. Contact our team to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.