Pompano Beach 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 insurers are quick to blame the person on the bike. If you are looking for a motorcycle accident lawyer in Pompano Beach, this page explains how these claims generally work. It is general information, not legal advice; every case is different.

Where Motorcycle Crashes Happen in Pompano Beach

Pompano Beach stretches from the Atlantic Ocean west past I-95 and Florida's Turnpike, just north of Fort Lauderdale. Riders use Atlantic Boulevard, Copans Road and Sample Road to cross the city, Federal Highway and Dixie Highway to travel north and south, and A1A along the beach. Each of these roads has its own risks:

• Left turns on Atlantic Boulevard and Federal Highway Drivers turning left across several lanes, or into a plaza, often misjudge how fast a motorcycle is approaching, or never see it at all.
• I-95 ramps Near the exits at Atlantic Boulevard, Copans Road and Sample Road, drivers speed up, slow down and change lanes at the last second, often without checking the blind spot where a motorcycle may be.
• A1A along the beach Car doors opening into traffic, drivers circling for parking, people crossing to the sand and vehicles pulling out of condo and hotel driveways all create sudden hazards for riders.
• Driveways and parking lots Cars leaving gas stations, restaurants and shopping centers such as Pompano Citi Centre can pull directly into a rider's path.
• Road conditions Sand, gravel, potholes, uneven pavement and standing water after afternoon storms can throw a bike down. When a government agency or a 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 covers vehicles with four or more wheels, so a motorcyclist generally doesn't have PIP for their own injuries the way a car driver does. That makes the at-fault driver's coverage and your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage especially 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, and eye protection is required. Not wearing a helmet doesn't, by itself, bar a claim, but the insurer may argue that it made certain injuries worse.
• Lane splitting Riding between lanes of traffic isn't allowed in Florida (section 316.209). If it was involved, expect the other side to raise it.
• Comparative fault In general, a rider found more than 50% at fault cannot recover damages, and a rider found 50% or less at fault has the recovery reduced by that share.

Overcoming the "Reckless Rider" Assumption

Adjusters, other drivers and even jurors sometimes assume that the person on the motorcycle must have been speeding or showing off. In reality, many motorcycle crashes happen because a driver simply didn't look. Overcoming that assumption takes evidence: photos of the scene, where each vehicle was damaged, skid marks and debris, witness statements, business or traffic camera video, and sometimes an accident reconstruction.

Protect your claim from the start. Don't guess about your speed when you talk to an adjuster, don't post about the crash or your recovery on social media, and keep your helmet, jacket and other gear exactly as they were after the crash.

Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Crash in Pompano Beach

1. Get medical help. Call 911 and get checked even if you think you're fine; adrenaline can hide serious injuries.
2. Get the crash report. BSO deputies usually respond to crashes on Pompano Beach city streets, because the city contracts with the Broward Sheriff's Office for police services. Crashes on I-95 and Florida's Turnpike are often handled by the Florida Highway Patrol.
3. Preserve the bike and your gear. 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 motorcycle, the other vehicle, the road surface, any sand or debris, skid marks and your injuries.
5. Talk to a lawyer before giving a statement. Adjusters may try to get you to agree that you were speeding or weaving.

Injuries, Insurance and What a Claim Can Include

A rider has almost nothing between the body and the road, so motorcycle injuries are often serious: broken bones, road rash, head and spinal injuries, and injuries that need surgery or months of therapy. 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 right away. If the at-fault driver carries little or no bodily injury coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your motorcycle policy may help, if you have it. Health insurance may pay some bills and later ask to be repaid from a recovery. We review every policy so nothing is overlooked.

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

How We Help Injured Riders in Pompano Beach

Tomas Robirosa serves Pompano Beach 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 available source of coverage and, if needed, file suit in Broward County.

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

Frequently Asked Questions