motorcycle in traffic

Did you suffer injuries in a motorcycle crash in Miami? If you’ve been in an accident caused by someone else, you may have the right to pursue financial relief for your injuries and losses. Experienced legal representation can give you the best chance to maximize your compensation and hold the careless driver who hit you accountable.

If you were hurt in a motorcycle wreck in Miami, an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you seek compensation for your medical bills, motorcycle repairs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact Gregg M. Goldfarb, LLP for a free consultation and to learn more about your legal options. Our law firm partners with premier attorneys with extensive experience in motorcycle accident cases in Miami.

What Are the Florida Motorcycle Laws?

In Florida, no one under 16 years old may operate a motorcycle, moped, motor-driven cycle, motorized scooter, or electric bicycle on public roads. Anyone wishing to operate a motorcycle must obtain a motorcycle endorsement for their driver’s license or a “motorcycle only” driver’s license. Applicants for a motorcycle license or endorsement must complete a Basic RiderCourse motorcycle safety course, after which an applicant has one year to apply for their endorsement or license.

Florida law requires motorcycle riders to wear a helmet that meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218, published by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Motorcycle operators must also wear eye protection approved by the state, such as goggles with shatter-proof glass or a face shield on a helmet.

Motorcyclists have the right to the entire width of a traffic lane. No other vehicle may travel next to a motorcycle in the same lane, but two motorcycles may ride side by side in the same lane. The law also outlaws the practice of lane splitting.

Motorcycles may only carry passengers if designed to do so. Passengers must have a seat and separate footrests. Motorcycle handlebars may not rise above the top of the operator’s shoulders when properly seated on the motorcycle.

What Makes Motorcycle Accident Cases More Complicated Than Auto Accident Cases?

Motorcycle accident victims may find it more challenging to recover compensation than people injured in car accidents. Some of the factors that tend to make a motorcycle accident case more complex than other auto accident claims include the following:

  • Motorcyclists frequently suffer more severe injuries than victims of other kinds of auto accidents. Due to these more severe injuries, motorcyclists can incur more significant financial losses from medical bills and lost income.
  • Drivers may not have sufficient liability insurance coverage to compensate injured motorcyclists fully.
  • Drivers and insurance companies may be biased against motorcyclists and argue that a motorcycle operator bears some or all the fault for a motorcycle accident to deny or minimize claims.

How Do Motorcycle Collisions Usually Happen?

Many motorcycle wrecks happen due to careless drivers failing to share the road. Other crashes happen because of mechanical issues or dangerous road conditions. Some of the most common driver-related causes of a motorcycle collision include:

  • Speeding
  • Tailgating/following too closely
  • Reckless driving, such as swerving through traffic
  • Passing a motorcycle without moving over to another lane
  • Distracted driving
  • Drowsy/fatigued driving
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Running red lights or stop signs
  • Failing to yield the right-of-way
  • Turning or changing lanes without signaling or checking mirrors
  • Opening a door on a street-parked car in front of an oncoming motorcycle

What Are Common Motorcycle Crash Injuries?

Because motorcyclists lack protection in a collision, aside from a helmet and possibly riding leathers, they tend to suffer severe, life-altering injuries that require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Examples of injuries that motorcycle crash victims can suffer include:

  • Lacerations
  • Abrasions (road rash)
  • Degloving injuries
  • Burns
  • Broken bones
  • Ligament sprains or tears
  • Muscle/tendon strains or tears
  • Whiplash
  • Herniated disc injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Internal organ injuries and bleeding
  • Head injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Amputation, dismemberment, or limb loss