Florida Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Your Rights After a Motorcycle Accident in Florida

If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident in Florida, it is reassuring to know that you have rights. Those rights include:

• The right to pursue compensation beyond PIP coverage. Motorcycles are not covered under Florida’s PIP (personal injury protection) system, which means you may immediately need to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance or through a personal injury lawsuit. Under Florida Statutes § 324.021, motorcycle riders are required to meet minimum insurance coverage, so it is possible in some cases that your own insurance will cover your costs.
• The right to hold negligent parties accountable. Motorcycle accidents often happen because a driver wasn’t paying attention, a truck merged without looking, or a city or county left a dangerous road condition unaddressed. Under Florida law, you have the right to hold negligent parties accountable.
• The right to work with an attorney. No matter what your insurer tells you, you have the right to work with Florida motorcycle accident lawyers when you are pursuing compensation. Even if you don’t intend to take your case to court, an attorney can negotiate with insurers and help you pursue compensation.

If you have been injured and would like to know more about your rights and how the law could affect your case, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free consultation. Our offices in Miami, Homestead, and Hollywood are here for you.

Leading Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in Florida

Florida consistently ranks among the states with the highest number of motorcycle accidents. Our year-round riding weather and tourism-driven traffic make for crowded roads where riders and drivers often clash. Here are some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in our region:

• Distracted driving. Drivers looking at their phones or fiddling with GPS often fail to see motorcyclists in their blind spots. Any activity that takes your eyes off the road, your mind off driving, or your hands from the wheel is considered distracted driving. It only takes a fraction of a second for a distracted driver to cause an accident. For riders, that moment can mean catastrophic injury.
• Speeding. High speeds on Florida highways—from I-75 across Alligator Alley to the Florida Turnpike—turn small mistakes into deadly crashes. High speeds increase the force of a crash and the seriousness of the injuries that can result.
• Aggressive driving. Riders are especially vulnerable when drivers weave through lanes or follow too closely. Even on surface streets like Coral Way in Miami or University Drive in Broward, aggressive drivers create dangers that can’t always be avoided.
• Left-turn collisions at intersections. One of the most common crash scenarios is a driver making a left turn in front of a motorcyclist. Busy intersections in places like Hialeah or Fort Lauderdale see frequent collisions where a driver misjudges a rider’s speed. The lack of protection for motorcyclists often makes these crashes some of the most severe.
• Impaired driving. Florida’s nightlife means impaired driving remains a constant danger. From downtown Miami clubs to Daytona’s spring break scene, impaired drivers create high risks for motorcyclists traveling late at night. Alcohol and drugs slow reaction times and make it less likely that a driver will notice a rider until it’s too late.
• Road hazards and poor maintenance. Not every crash is caused by another driver. Florida’s heavy rain, flooding, and hurricane damage can leave behind potholes and debris that pose major risks to riders. On rural roads in places like Homestead or Ocala, loose gravel or poorly marked construction zones can cause devastating single-bike accidents. Municipalities and contractors may share responsibility in these cases.
• Inexperienced or unlicensed riders. Florida attracts riders from around the country, and not all are familiar with our roads or laws. Some are tourists renting motorcycles without proper training. Others are new riders who lack the experience to handle sudden changes in traffic on highways like U.S. 301 or the MacArthur Causeway.

Understanding how and why your accident happened is key to building a strong claim. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto riders, suggesting they were speeding or not visible. By identifying the real cause, we can push back and demand accountability.

Types of Injuries Sustained in Motorcycle Collisions

Riders are uniquely vulnerable on the road, with no frame, airbags, or steel cage to stand between them and the impact. Even a low-speed collision on U.S. 1 in Miami or along Oakland Park Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale can result in serious injuries. Common injuries we see in these collisions include:

• Head injuries. Even with a helmet, riders may suffer concussions or traumatic brain injuries when they strike the pavement or another vehicle. These injuries can change memory, balance, mood, and the ability to work.
• Spinal cord damage. When a collision sends a rider skidding across the asphalt on Krome Avenue or Dixie Highway, the impact to the back and neck can be devastating. Spinal cord injuries may cause partial or total paralysis. These are lifelong conditions that require ongoing medical care and support.
• Road rash and other soft tissue injuries. “Road rash” may sound minor, but deep abrasions from being dragged across Florida’s hot pavement can require skin grafts and lead to serious infection. Torn ligaments and muscle damage are also common and can keep riders off their feet and off their bikes for months.
• Broken bones. A motorcycle crash often results in shattered legs, arms, or ribs. Riders instinctively brace for impact, leading to wrist and arm fractures. These injuries may require surgery and physical therapy before you can return to normal activities.
• Internal injuries. A crash at an intersection in Hialeah or Hollywood can cause internal bleeding or organ damage, sometimes not noticed until hours later. That’s why medical evaluation is critical after any collision, even if you walk away thinking you’re “fine.”
• Emotional trauma. Motorcycle accidents don’t just leave scars on the body. Anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and post-traumatic stress are common, especially when someone survives a life-threatening event. This emotional impact can affect relationships, work, and daily peace of mind.

At Flaxman Law Group, we see the whole picture. From medical bills and therapy to lost wages and pain, we fight for recovery that addresses every part of your life.

Who Is Liable in My Florida Motorcycle Accident?

After a motorcycle accident in Florida, one of the first questions clients ask us is: “Who is responsible for what happened to me?” The answer isn’t always straightforward. There may be multiple liable parties in your case, including:

• Negligent drivers. Drivers who fail to yield, speed, text behind the wheel, or make unsafe lane changes on I-75 or A1A (or other roads) often bear liability for the crash. Florida law requires proving negligence, and our team knows how to gather police reports, witness testimony, and other proof to build that case.
• Commercial vehicle operators. Collisions with trucks, delivery vans, or rideshare vehicles bring added complexity. Companies may share liability if they failed to maintain their vehicles or pressured drivers into unsafe schedules. We have handled cases against large corporations and know how to push past corporate red tape.
• Government entities. Uneven pavement, potholes, or missing signage on rural stretches of the Turnpike or busy city streets may place responsibility on a city or county agency.
• Manufacturers and parts makers. Sometimes the motorcycle itself or a defective helmet contributes to injury. In those cases, the manufacturer may be held accountable.

Florida follows a comparative negligence rule, which means even if you were partially at fault, you may still recover compensation. To find out more, consult with Florida motorcycle accident lawyers, who can explain exactly how Florida laws relate to your specific case.

Challenges Riders Face in Florida Personal Injury Claims

Riders who suffer injuries on streets like U.S. 1 through Miami, I-95 near Fort Lauderdale, or busy stretches of I-75 on the Gulf Coast often find that the insurance and legal process is stacked against them. Riders often encounter these unique challenges when seeking fair compensation:

• Bias against motorcyclists. One of the biggest hurdles in Florida motorcycle accident claims is the perception that motorcyclists are reckless by nature. Insurance adjusters may try to argue that you were “speeding” or “lane-splitting,” even if the crash was caused by a driver. Overcoming this bias requires a lawyer who knows how to highlight the evidence, not stereotypes.
• Florida’s comparative negligence law. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that if the insurance company can assign even part of the blame to you, your recovery could be reduced. For example, if a driver merges into your lane on I-595 in Fort Lauderdale without checking their blind spot, the insurer might argue that you weren’t visible or weren’t riding defensively. These arguments can quickly chip away at your claim if you don’t have experienced Florida motorcycle accident lawyers protecting your rights.
• Insurance company tactics. After decades of handling claims, our team at Flaxman Law Group has seen how insurers operate. We have seen insurers push for quick, low-ball settlements before the full extent of your medical care is known. We have also seen insurance companies question riders or delay responses, hoping riders will just give up. Because Charles and Steven Flaxman have worked inside the insurance industry, they have insider knowledge that allows us to push back.
• Complex medical costs. Motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries. Insurers rarely volunteer to cover the true long-term costs. Without the right legal representation, injured riders may accept settlements that cover today’s bills but not tomorrow’s needs.
• Out-of-pocket struggles beyond the injury. A serious crash can leave you without reliable transportation, unable to work, and uncertain about how to pay household expenses.

When you’ve just survived something life-altering, you shouldn’t have to deal with the added stress of the insurance and legal process. The Miami, Homestead, and Hollywood offices of Flaxman Law Group are here to help.