Motorcycle Accident Affect Car Insurance Rates
If you are in a motorcycle accident, it could cause your auto insurance costs to increase. This is generally only true if you were at fault in the crash. However, it applies regardless of what you are driving—a car or motorcycle. If you were deemed responsible for a crash and another party files a liability claim based on your policy, however, it could raise your rates overall.
Motorcyclists and other drivers do not have to carry liability coverage unless they have a history of causing an injury accident without it or violating other laws. A Florida motorcycle accident lawyer can help you navigate motorcycle insurance coverage laws and your legal options after an accident.
What Laws Govern Motorcycle Accident Insurance Coverage in Florida?
According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV), Florida does not explicitly require motorcyclists to have specific insurance coverage beyond what they may carry for auto insurance. In other words, motorcyclists do not have to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage or liability coverage.
However, this does not mean motorcyclists are not legally responsible for bodily injuries and property damage they cause in a crash. For example, if the police charge a motorcyclist with a traffic violation that caused an injury accident, they will need to pay for the victim’s medical care and related expenses.
Florida law requires motorcyclists to get a policy for at least three years if they caused a crash and did not have liability coverage or the financial ability to pay for the victim’s damages. If they fail to do so in this scenario, they could face license and registration suspension because of the state’s financial responsibility rules.
Does Who Was At-Fault Determine Whether or Not Insurance Rates Go Up?
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III) research and guidelines, your accident history is a key factor that insurance providers use to determine the rates you will pay. Unfortunately, a poor driving record could mean your rates will go up regardless of whether or not you bear any of the fault for the accident.
Other factors could also affect your motorcycle insurance costs, including:
- How often you use your car or motorcycle
- Where you live or where you park your car or bike
- Your age and gender
- The value of your car or motorcycle
If a lawyer represents you after the accident, they can help you prove the other involved party was at fault. They can also help you understand the insurance laws and regulations in your state, as well as how these will affect your motorcycle insurance policy.
What You Need to Know About Motorcycle Collision Insurance Cost
Motorcycle collision insurance is designed to provide financial responsibility after an accident. According to Investopedia research, the average cost of motorcycle insurance is less than $100 per month. Like auto insurance, the factors that affect the cost of your monthly premium can include age, location, and the make and model of your motorcycle.
As a motorcyclist, you should insure your bike for a variety of reasons. It can protect you from exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses after an accident by covering the costs of any portion of the accident attributed to you. Insurance will also protect you in the event of an accident where the other party does not have insurance or is underinsured.
The impact of claims history on motorcycle crashes and insurance rates is also a factor. In many states, a motorcycle safety course is required before you can get a license. It, along with your claims history, plays a huge role in the cost of obtaining insurance.
How to File an Insurance Claim After a Motorcycle Accident
Auto and motorcycle insurance is in place for a reason. Even if the at-fault party is concerned about the motorcycle accident’s impact on insurance premiums, the injured party is entitled to compensation. The at-fault party’s insurer would be compelled to cover the costs of:
- The injured party’s medical expenses
- The injured party’s income loss
- The costs of repairs to the injured party’s property
- Physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering
Compensation for the injured party will also include lasting disfigurement and disability and wrongful death damages for surviving family members if the accident resulted in a fatality. Wrongful death damage can include the costs of the decedent’s funeral and burial and the family’s loss of their financial support and domestic services.
If you are represented by a Miami motorcycle accident lawyer, they will take care of all the details of filing your claim. They will obtain, complete, and submit insurance claim forms. They can also review both insurance policies to understand their limitations and exclusions.
How Do I Prove Financial Responsibility as a Florida Motorcyclist?
Florida has no-fault auto accident laws and requires most drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability coverage. However, these laws apply only to four-wheeled vehicles. PIP policies do not cover motorcycles. Still, motorcyclists must have proof of financial responsibility to legally operate their bikes.
In Florida, motorcyclists must have proof they have access to the money needed to provide a minimum amount of liability coverage if they cause a crash. They most commonly achieve this through liability insurance coverage. This usually includes:
- $10,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $10,000 property damage liability insurance
- $10,000 medical payments coverage to pay for their injuries
These totals are very low. So, adding additional coverage to these policies is a good idea. This way, you can better protect your assets if you cause a crash and ensure you get the medical care you need if you are hurt.
What Happens if Another Driver Causes My South Florida Motorcycle Crash?
According to Florida Statutes § 324.021, automobile drivers in Florida must have PIP coverage and property damage liability coverage. However, PIP coverage only applies to occupants of vehicles with four or more wheels. PIP insurance does not cover motorcyclists even if they drive a car and have an active policy.
This means a motorcyclist’s options for paying for medical care include:
- Their own medical payments coverage
- Health Insurance Coverage
- The at-fault driver’s auto liability policy, if they have one
- Suing the at-fault driver if they have sufficient assets
As you can imagine, these cases can become complex very quickly. When a motorcyclist gets into a crash, the rider could find themselves in a troublesome situation. Working with a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney can help you determine your best options.
Common Causes of Florida Motorcycle Accident Injuries
South Florida motorcycle accidents are not rare. With many drivers sharing congested roads, these accidents happen daily. Some of the most common reasons for motorcycle accidents include:
- Other drivers fail to see them because of their size
- Drivers fail to yield to a motorcycle when making a left-hand turn
- Speeding
- Drunk or Drugged driving
- Distracted Driving
- Hazardous road conditions, especially rain
Motorcyclists are more likely than other road users to suffer serious injuries. This is especially true for those without the proper protective gear. Motorcyclists over 21 do not have to wear a helmet in Florida as long as they have the required medical payments coverage. Of course, $10,000 in coverage does not go very far when you consider some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries, such as:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Neck and Back injuries
- Road rash, burns, and scarring
- Significant fractures
- Loss of limb or loss of use of a limb
- Internal Injuries
Your injury’s severity and the extensive treatment required could necessitate a significant financial recovery. For this reason, you may want to work with a personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale. A law firm well-versed in Florida motorcycle accident law will review your options for compensation with you based on the facts of your case.
Discuss Your Options With Our Legal Team for Free Today
At the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato, we can help you understand your legal options based on your unique situation. We offer free initial consultations. Our motorcycle accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale also represent our clients based on contingency, so you don’t need to pay anything upfront to get started with a case. Call (954) 633-8270 now to learn more.
