Mark Roman | December 23, 2020 | Motorcycle Accidents
In 49 states in the country, motorcycle insurance is regulated pretty much the same way car insurance is regulated. State laws around the country require car and motorcycle owners to have minimum insurance amounts.
About a dozen of those states are considered “no-fault” states, meaning you can get compensation to cover injuries and property damage no matter who was at fault for the motorcycle accident.
Florida is actually a no-fault state when it comes to car insurance. However, in the Sunshine State, motorcycles are a different ballgame. Unlike every other state, there is no law mandating that a motorcycle owner/driver have a valid insurance policy for their ride.
Obviously, that doesn’t mean Florida motorcyclists shouldn’t buy motorcycle insurance. In fact, to some degree, if you own a motorcycle in Florida you really do need motorcycle insurance.
What Happens When You Don’t Have Insurance?
If you own a motorcycle in Florida and don’t have insurance, you are taking a huge risk. The reason is because Florida’s financial responsibility laws (those that govern who has to pay and how much after an accident) still apply to motorcycle drivers. This means that if you cause property damage or bodily harm to yourself or another, you will personally be on the hook for the bill.
Given the fact that motorcyclists are far more likely to be injured in an accident than car drivers and passengers, and that the injuries they suffer are often more severe, this could mean you are on the path to financial ruin.
What’s more is that if you caused an accident without insurance, you could face significant penalties such as:
- Losing driving privileges
- Facing civil judgments
- Being required to purchase insurance
On top of that, if you don’t have motorcycle insurance and are involved in an accident that was not your fault, you will have to seek out compensation from the other party’s insurance company on your own. This is far more time consuming than having your injuries and property damage automatically covered by your own insurance company. It also would require you hire a lawyer to help you pursue damages.
How Much Insurance Should You Get?
The safest and wisest course of action is to buy insurance for your motorcycle. It will protect you in case you are injured due to another driver’s negligence and it will keep you from devastating financial consequences should the accident be your fault.
Under Florida law, minimum car insurance requirements include:
- $10,000 for the bodily injury of one individual
- $20,000 for the bodily injury of two individuals
- $10,000 for property damage per crash
The most common way to get motorcycle insurance coverage is to contact a licensed insurance broker who can explain in more detail the benefits of having a policy and how much coverage you need.
What You Should Do If You Are Injured In a Motorcycle Accident
If you sustain injuries from a motorcycle accident that was the fault of another driver or party, you should contact a seasoned motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. A good lawyer will cast a wide net and not stop with taking action against the other driver only.
Depending on road conditions, whether or not there was a recall on any of your bike’s parts, and if all traffic signals were in proper working order, there could be multiple parties or entities at fault for the accident and the injuries you have suffered.
Your lawyer will work with you to pursue the legal strategy that is the best for you and your case. If you are looking to be compensated for your injuries and property damage to your motorcycle, it is without a doubt in your best interest to hire competent legal representation immediately.
Contact the Clearwater Motorcycle Accident Law Firm of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Clearwater. We have five convenient locations in Florida: Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442