Tampa Motorcycle Accident Health Insurance Lawyer
According to some studies, Florida is the deadliest state with respect to motorcycle accidents, accounting for about 11 percent of all motorcycle-related fatalities in the United States. Even in non-fatal accidents, a motorcyclist is far more likely to suffer serious–and potentially life-threatening–injuries relative to other categories of crash victims. And while certain practices, such as wearing a helmet while riding, can improve a motorcyclist’s chance of escaping an accident without serious injury, there is still no way to completely eliminate the risks.
Many Florida motorcycle accident victims must rely on their own medical insurance for coverage following a crash. The Tampa motorcycle accident health insurance lawyer at Anderson & Anderson can advise and represent you in this area. We are experienced Florida personal injury lawyers with a proven track record of dealing with insurance companies.
How Medical Insurance Works in Motorcycle Accidents
Florida law requires all drivers of four-wheel motor vehicles to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage as part of their standard auto insurance policy. This provides “no-fault” medical benefits in the event of an accident. Unfortunately, these insurance requirements do not apply to two-wheel vehicles such as motorcycles. So even if a motorcyclist has PIP coverage on another vehicle, they generally cannot receive benefits if they require medical attention following an accident on their motorcycle.
Technically, Florida does not require motorcyclists to carry separate motorcycle insurance. In practice, a motorcycle operator must demonstrate “proof of financial responsibility” in the event they cause an accident. This can be accomplished by purchasing liability insurance. But this does not include any PIP coverage if the motorcyclist is injured in an accident.
That said, if a motorcyclist chooses to ride without a helmet, they must also carry at least $10,000 in health insurance coverage. This can be done through the motorcycle operator’s regular health insurance policy. Or they can purchase separate medical payments coverage as part of their motorcycle insurance policy.
In either case, an injured motorcyclist can pursue a first-party claim from benefits from their own insurer. If that coverage proves insufficient, they can seek additional compensation from the negligent driver who hit them via a personal injury lawsuit. Since the no-fault rules do not apply to motorcycle accidents, the motorcyclist does not have to meet the “serious injury” threshold applicable to accidents involving four-wheel vehicles.
Contact Anderson & Anderson Today
Even when your own health insurance may be sufficient to pay your medical bills following a motorcycle accident, that is no guarantee the insurance company will pay up without a fight. That is why it is generally best to work with an experienced Tampa motorcycle accident health insurance lawyer who can represent you in dealing with the insurers and advising you of your rights to compensation under the law. An attorney can also help you explore other avenues for paying your medical bills, including suing the negligent party who caused your motorcycle accident in the first place.
If you would like to speak with an attorney about your case, call Anderson & Anderson today at 813-251-0072 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation.
