Representation from a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney
Have you been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Central Florida? Have you lost a loved one in a collision? Dismuke Law is here to fight for you. Led by Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer Dave Dismuke, our Lakeland motorcycle accident attorneys have the proven skill to protect your interests.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer serving Lakeland, call 863-250-5050
Why Choose Us?
- Our legal team has decades of combined legal experience
- We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients
- Our firm has a reputation of success and trust with our former clients
- We offer free, initial case evaluations to all potential clients
Our law firm is fully armed to defend your rights and fight for your maximum compensation. We serve Central Florida from offices in Tampa and Lakeland.
Lakeland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 863-250-5050
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists are at a great risk of injury or death if they are involved in traffic accidents. Even when wearing helmets and other protective gear, riders are simply at a higher risk of injury than occupants of cars, trucks, and other vehicles. Like any traffic accident, a motorcycle collision may have one or more causes. It is important to identify the primary cause so fault can be assigned to the appropriate party.The following are examples of factors that could contribute to a motorcycle accident:
- Speeding
- Heavy weather
- Dangerous roadways
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs
- Defective bike or auto parts
- Lack of skill and licensing
- Aggressive or reckless driving
Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes. With our experience in motorcycle accident claims and lawsuits, we are confident in our ability to uncover the cause of your collision.
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Florida Motorcycle Laws
All motorcyclists should have a basic understanding of Florida’s motorcycle laws. It’s important to stay up to date on these laws, not only to ensure your own safety but the safety of others on the road, as well. In addition to the helmet and insurance laws we’ve outlined below, it’s important that you are aware that, while you do not need a special motorcycle license in Florida, you do need a motorcycle endorsement on your regular driver’s license. To get this endorsement, you’ll need to pass a motorcycle safety course offered by a certified instructor/provider. If you don’t have a normal driver’s license, it is possible to obtain a motorcycle-only license with the endorsement. Additionally, under Florida law 316.405, all motorcycle operators in Florida must have their headlights turned on at all times, including during the middle of the day. Lane-splitting, or the practice of riding on the lane lines between cars, is prohibited in Florida and, generally speaking, all motorcyclists must follow the same rules of the road and all traffic laws that operators of other types of motor vehicles are beholden to.
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Florida Motorcycle Helmet Laws
In Florida, any motorcycle operator or passenger under the age of 21 must wear an approved motorcycle helmet. Additionally, all motorcyclists must wear protective eyewear. Those over the age of 21 do not need to wear a helmet as long as they carry at least $10,000 in medical insurance benefits. If you do not have this minimum insurance coverage, you must wear a motorcycle helmet while riding.In any case, we always recommend wearing an approved motorcycle helmet when operating or riding on a motorcycle, as this is one of the surest ways of preventing serious or even fatal head and brain injuries in the event of a crash.
Motorcycle Insurance Requirements in Florida
As previously mentioned, any motorcyclist who is over the age of 21 and who wishes to ride without a motorcycle helmet must have at least $10,000 in medical insurance coverage. This is an optional insurance for motorcyclists, except when they wish to ride without a helmet, which covers any injuries they may sustain in an accident. Secondly, all motorcycle riders, regardless of age or whether they wish to wear a helmet or not, must carry the state’s minimum liability insurance coverage:
- $10,000 per person in bodily injury coverage
- $20,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage
- $10,000 in property damage liability
Note that motorcyclists in Florida cannot purchase personal injury protection (PIP) insurance; that’s where the $10,000 in medical insurance benefits coverage comes in. This coverage will protect you in the event you are injured in a motorcycle accident.
Proving Liability For a Motorcycle Accident in Florida
There are many factors that contribute to liability in a motorcycle accident. Because Florida adheres to comparative negligence law, each individual involved in an accident could potentially be partially at fault and therefore partially liable for the damages. For example, if a motorcyclist were to cause a vehicle to swerve into another lane and hit another car, then the motorcyclist could be held partially liable for that accident. With that said, oftentimes motorcyclists share no responsibility for an accident, and if you were seriously injured in an accident caused by another driver’s recklessness or negligence, you should not be left paying the bills. Our experienced Lakeland motorcycle accident attorney can help defend your rights and fight for your maximum compensation. Learn More
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