Pembroke Pines Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle claims in Florida follow some special rules. Riders usually don't have PIP for their own injuries, helmet questions come up, and insurance companies are quick to blame the motorcyclist. If you are looking for a motorcycle accident lawyer in Pembroke Pines, this page explains how these claims generally work. It is general information, not legal advice; every case is different.

Riding in Pembroke Pines: Where Crashes Happen

Pembroke Pines stretches about 35 square miles across southern Broward County, from the Florida's Turnpike area in the east to U.S. 27 in the west. Riders use Pines Boulevard, the city's main east-west road, along with Flamingo Road, University Drive and I-75 to get across town and to Miami-Dade and Fort Lauderdale.

• Left turns across Pines Boulevard Drivers turning left across several lanes often misjudge how fast a motorcycle is coming, or don't see it at all.
• Big intersections Intersections like Pines Boulevard and Flamingo Road, which State Farm once named the most dangerous in the country, have heavy turning traffic and red-light runners.
• Interstate lane changes On I-75 and the Turnpike, drivers merging near the exits may move into a rider's lane without checking their blind spot.
• Shopping-center driveways Cars pulling out of Pembroke Lakes Mall, The Shops at Pembroke Gardens and the plazas along Pines Boulevard can cut directly into a rider's path.
• Road hazards Gravel, debris, potholes, standing water after afternoon storms and uneven pavement can throw a rider down. When a government agency or contractor is responsible for the road, special notice rules may apply.

Florida Motorcycle Laws That Affect Your Claim

• No PIP for the rider Florida's PIP law applies to vehicles with four or more wheels, so a motorcyclist generally doesn't have PIP for their own injuries the way a car driver does. The at-fault driver's coverage and your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage become very important.
• Helmets Under section 316.211 of the Florida Statutes, riders over 21 may ride without a helmet if they carry an insurance policy with at least $10,000 in medical benefits. Eye protection is required. Riding without a helmet doesn't, by itself, stop you from bringing a claim, but the insurer may argue it made some injuries worse.
• Lane splitting Riding between lanes of traffic is not allowed in Florida (section 316.209). If it was involved, the other side will likely raise it.
• Comparative fault In general, if a rider is found more than 50% at fault, the rider cannot recover damages; if 50% or less, the recovery is reduced by the rider's share.

Fighting the Bias Against Riders

Many drivers, adjusters and even jurors start with the idea that motorcyclists are reckless. In real life, many motorcycle crashes happen because a driver simply didn't look. Fighting that bias takes evidence: photos of the scene, the location of the damage on each vehicle, skid marks, witness statements, business or traffic video, and sometimes an accident reconstruction.

It also helps to be careful from the start. Don't guess about your speed when talking to an adjuster, don't post about the crash on social media, and keep your helmet, jacket and other gear exactly as they were after the crash.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Pembroke Pines

1. Get medical help. Call 911 and get checked even if you feel okay; adrenaline can hide serious injuries.
2. Get the crash report. City streets are usually handled by the Pembroke Pines Police Department; I-75 and Florida's Turnpike are often handled by the Florida Highway Patrol.
3. Keep your gear and the bike. Don't throw away your helmet or damaged parts, and don't rush to repair or sell the motorcycle before it can be inspected.
4. Take photos. Photograph the bike, the other vehicle, the road surface, debris, skid marks and your injuries.
5. Talk to a lawyer before giving a statement. Adjusters may try to suggest the rider was speeding or weaving.

Injuries, Coverage and Compensation

Riders have very little protection in a crash, so injuries are often serious: broken bones, road rash, head and spine injuries, and injuries that need surgery or long rehabilitation. A claim against the at-fault driver may include past and future medical care, lost income, lost earning ability, damage to the motorcycle and gear, and pain and suffering.

Because riders usually have no PIP, the coverage question comes up early. If the at-fault driver has little or no bodily injury coverage, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may help, if it is on your motorcycle policy. Health insurance can pay some bills, and it may later ask to be paid back from a recovery. We review every policy so nothing is missed.

Read more about motorcycle accident claims in Florida, or go back to our Pembroke Pines car accident and personal injury page.

How We Help Riders in Pembroke Pines

Tomas Robirosa serves Pembroke Pines and all of Broward County, and you can speak with him directly in Spanish or English. We gather the evidence, deal with the insurance companies, look for every source of coverage and file suit in Broward County if it's needed.

We work on a contingency basis: no fee unless we recover. Call (305) 600-0529 for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions