Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Boca Raton, FL

A motorcycle crash on Glades Road, A1A, or I-95 can cause broken bones, head injuries, and road rash that take months to heal. Unlike most drivers, an injured rider usually has no Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage to fall back on. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Boca Raton, FL can identify every source of insurance, push back when an insurer blames the rider, and pursue compensation from the driver who caused the crash. Jacobson Injury Firm represents injured motorcyclists and passengers throughout Boca Raton and southern Palm Beach County. Contact the firm for a free consultation.

How Motorcycle Accident Claims Work in Florida

Florida is known as a no-fault state, but its no-fault system was built around cars. The PIP law defines a “motor vehicle” as a self-propelled vehicle with four or more wheels in Florida Statute 627.732, and the security requirement in Florida Statute 627.733 applies to those vehicles. Motorcycles fall outside that definition, so riders are not required to carry PIP.

In practice, this means an injured rider often cannot count on the $10,000 in PIP benefits that a car driver would have. A car policy’s PIP coverage generally applies to an owner hurt while riding in a covered car or while not riding in any self-propelled vehicle, which does not describe a motorcyclist. Medical bills in the first weeks are often paid through health insurance, optional medical payments coverage, or uninsured motorist coverage on the rider’s own policy.

That makes the claim against the at-fault driver especially important. When another driver’s carelessness causes the crash, the injured rider can pursue that driver’s bodily injury liability coverage for medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. Strong evidence of fault and thorough medical records are the foundation of that claim.

Where Motorcycle Accidents Happen in Boca Raton

Boca Raton draws riders year-round, from commuters on I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike to weekend riders cruising A1A past the beachfront parks. Those same roads carry heavy car traffic, turning vehicles, and drivers who may not be looking for a motorcycle.

City crash data covering 2018 through 2023, reported by The Coastal Star, found that Federal Highway between Camino Real and Yamato Road had 43 crashes involving death or serious injury, the most of any corridor studied. West Glades Road, which runs past Florida Atlantic University toward western Boca, had 2,454 crashes in the same period. Boca Raton’s overall rate of serious-injury or fatal crashes was 95 per 100,000 residents, compared with 62 for Palm Beach County.

National data shows why riders face such high stakes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are far more likely than passenger car occupants to be killed in a crash, per mile traveled.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Boca Raton

Jacobson Injury Firm handles motorcycle accident claims involving:

• Left-turning drivers who fail to yield to an oncoming motorcycle at intersections on Federal Highway and Glades Road
• Unsafe lane changes on I-95 where a driver does not check a blind spot
• Rear-end collisions in stop-and-go traffic on Yamato Road and Palmetto Park Road
• Car doors opened into the path of a rider near Mizner Park and downtown parking areas
• Drunk or impaired drivers, especially at night and on weekends
• Collisions with commercial vehicles, including truck accidents on major corridors
• Road hazards such as potholes, debris, and uneven pavement

What Compensation Can an Injured Motorcyclist Recover?

Motorcycle crashes often cause more serious injuries than car crashes, including fractures, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. An injured rider may seek compensation for:

• Emergency care, surgery, and hospital stays
• Future medical treatment and rehabilitation
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Damage to the motorcycle and riding gear
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life

The firm’s guide to damages in Florida explains how these categories are calculated. The value of a claim depends heavily on the available insurance, so checking the rider’s own uninsured motorist coverage early can make a real difference.

Helmets, Lane Splitting, and Partial Fault

Insurance companies often look for reasons to blame the rider. Two Florida rules come up often.

Under Florida Statute 316.211, a rider must wear an approved helmet unless the rider is over 21 and covered by an insurance policy with at least $10,000 in medical benefits. Every operator must also wear approved eye protection. Riding without a helmet does not bar a claim, but an insurer may argue that it made a head injury worse.

Florida Statute 316.209 prohibits riding between lanes of traffic or between rows of vehicles, often called lane splitting. It also prohibits passing a car in the same lane and riding more than two abreast. An insurer may use a violation to argue the rider shares the blame.

Florida’s modified comparative fault rule decides what happens next. Under Florida Statute 768.81, a person found more than 50% at fault for their own injuries recovers nothing. A rider who is 50% at fault or less can still recover, reduced by their share of fault.

A motorcycle accident lawyer in Boca Raton, FL can use crash reconstruction, witness accounts, and video to show what the other driver did wrong. The firm’s guide to comparative fault covers this rule in more detail.

What Should You Do After a Boca Raton Motorcycle Accident?

If it is safe to do so, an injured rider should:

• Call 911. Florida Statute 316.065 requires crashes involving injury, death, or apparent property damage of at least $500 to be reported.
• Get medical care right away. Head and internal injuries are not always obvious. The nearest Level I trauma center for southern Palm Beach County is Delray Medical Center, and Boca Raton Regional Hospital runs an emergency room on Meadows Road.
• Keep the gear. A damaged helmet, jacket, and boots can show how the crash happened and how hard the impact was.
• Document the scene. Photograph the vehicles, skid marks, road surface, and injuries, and collect witness contact information.
• Request the crash report. Reports are available from the Boca Raton Police Services Department or through the Florida Crash Portal.
• Avoid recorded statements. The driver’s insurer may try to get the rider to admit to speeding or lane splitting. Speaking with a lawyer first can protect the claim.

How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Florida?

Under Florida Statute 95.11, most negligence claims, including motorcycle accident claims, must be filed within two years. Florida shortened this deadline from four years to two for claims arising after March 24, 2023.

Riders with serious injuries may spend much of that time in treatment. Meanwhile, surveillance video and vehicle data can disappear within weeks. The firm’s overview of the Florida statute of limitations explains exceptions and related deadlines.

No Fee Unless We Win

Jacobson Injury Firm handles motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. There is no upfront cost, and no attorney fee is owed unless the firm recovers compensation.

The firm represents injured people only, never insurance companies. Clients work directly with attorney Adam Jacobson, who is licensed in Florida, New York, Connecticut, and Illinois and earned his law degree from FIU College of Law. He prepares each case as if it may go to trial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does PIP cover a motorcycle accident in Florida?

Usually not. Florida’s PIP law applies to vehicles with four or more wheels, so motorcyclists are not required to carry it. Health insurance, medical payments coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, and a claim against the at-fault driver are the usual sources of payment.

Can I still recover if I was not wearing a helmet?

Yes, in many cases. Riders over 21 with at least $10,000 in medical benefits coverage may legally ride without a helmet. Even so, an insurer may argue that a helmet would have reduced a head injury, which could reduce the award under comparative fault.

Is lane splitting legal in Florida?

No. Florida Statute 316.209 prohibits riding between lanes or between rows of vehicles. A rider who was lane splitting may still recover if the other driver was mostly at fault, but the award may be reduced.

What if the driver who hit me has no insurance?

Florida does not require most drivers to carry bodily injury liability coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on the rider’s own policy may pay for losses the at-fault driver cannot. A lawyer can review every policy that might apply.

How much does a motorcycle accident lawyer cost?

Jacobson Injury Firm works on a contingency fee basis. Clients pay nothing upfront, and there is no attorney fee unless money is recovered.

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Boca Raton, FL

Injured riders often face higher medical bills, less insurance coverage, and more blame than other crash victims. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Boca Raton, FL can investigate the crash, find every available policy, and fight for full compensation. Call (561) 567-7163 or contact Jacobson Injury Firm today to schedule a free consultation.