Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Crash Lawyer

Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Crash Lawyer Serving Riders Across Broward County

Riding is part of life in South Florida. Year-round weather means the A1A coastal ride draws riders out every month, not just in season, and Broward County’s roads are full of people who never put the bike away for winter. But that same traffic that makes this such a good place to ride also makes crashes common. 

If you’re reading this, one of those crashes probably just happened to you. A car hit you and never saw you coming. Now the bills are piling up before you’re even out of the hospital, and you’re wondering if the insurance company has already decided you were the reckless one, just because you were on two wheels.

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That’s exactly the kind of bias we push back on. Palaidis Law has spent years advocating for people who share Broward County’s roads on two wheels, and we know how Florida’s insurance rules work against injured riders long before an adjuster ever calls you. Contact us for a free consultation, and let us start fighting for your fair compensation while you focus on getting better.

Why Injured Riders Trust Palaidis Law in Broward County

George Palaidis has practiced law in Broward County since 2008. He is a member of the National Trial Lawyers, and he is active in the Broward County Bar Association. His writing on the safety of people who share the road with drivers has been published in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

We call what happened to you a crash, not an accident, because most motorcycle wrecks are avoidable. Insurance adjusters can be quick to assume a rider was careless simply because they were on a motorcycle. We push back on that assumption with police reports, scene evidence, and witness statements, not guesses. Our job is to make sure what actually happened gets told before an insurance company writes that story for you.

Common Motorcycle Collisions on US-1, I-95, and Sunrise Blvd

Many of the motorcycle crashes we see in Fort Lauderdale happen at intersections along US-1 and Sunrise Blvd. A driver turns left across a rider’s path, or merges into a lane without checking a blind spot. Drivers often say the same thing afterward: I never saw the motorcycle. That excuse does not erase their duty to look before they turn or change lanes.

On faster roads like I-95 and I-595, rear-end collisions and road hazard wrecks cause some of the worst injuries. A driver who follows too closely, glances at a phone, or misjudges speed can end a rider’s trip in seconds. Debris and uneven pavement that a car barely feels can throw a motorcycle off balance completely.

Near on-street parking around Broward Blvd and downtown Fort Lauderdale, dooring and low-speed crashes happen too. A driver who opens a car door without checking for a passing rider, or pulls out of a space without looking, can cause a serious fall even at a low speed.

Serious Injuries in Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Crashes

Riders do not have a metal frame, airbags, or a seatbelt to absorb a crash. Even a low-speed impact can cause serious harm. We see traumatic brain injuries, road rash covering large areas of skin, and broken bones that need surgery and months of recovery. Riders throughout Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach face these same risks every time they get on the road.

The more serious the injury, the more it costs. And the more it matters that your claim accounts for all of it. Medical bills, lost income, and the pain of a long recovery all belong in the number we pursue, not just the emergency room bill.

Florida Motorcycle Insurance Law and Your Rights After a Broward County Crash

Florida requires car insurance to include no-fault coverage, but motorcycles are left out of that system (Fla. Stat. §  627.736). That means a rider hurt in a crash has no automatic insurance check waiting for them. Instead, we pursue payment through the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage, and through your own uninsured motorist coverage if the other driver does not carry enough insurance. 

Florida helmet law requires riders under 21 to wear a helmet. Riders 21 and older can ride without one if they carry at least $10,000 in medical insurance coverage. Riding without a helmet does not automatically end your claim. It can come up in negotiations, but we know how to answer that argument with facts.

Florida also limits how much shared fault can reduce your payout, and it gives you only two years from the crash date to file a claim. Partial fault of 50% or less does not have to end your case. But being more than 50% at fault, or missing the two-year deadline, does end your case.

This reflects Florida law as of July 2026.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Fort Lauderdale, and How We Help

Call the police so there is an official crash report. Get checked by a doctor even if you feel fine, since some injuries show up later. Take photos of the scene, your bike, and your injuries, and get the names and numbers of any witnesses. Do not give the insurance company a recorded statement before you talk to a lawyer. 

Once you hire us, we investigate using the crash report, witness accounts, and evidence from the scene. We build the case to show the other driver was negligent. When an insurance company will not offer a fair number, we are ready to take the case to the Broward County Courthouse.

Motorcycle Crash FAQs for Fort Lauderdale Riders

Does PIP cover a motorcycle crash in Florida?

No. Florida’s no-fault insurance law does not apply to motorcycles, so riders have no PIP benefits to fall back on. Instead, we pursue the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage and your own uninsured motorist coverage.

Do I have to wear a helmet in Florida, and does it affect my claim?

Riders under 21 must wear one. Riders 21 and older can skip it if they carry at least $10,000 in medical insurance. Going without a helmet does not automatically bar your claim, though insurers may bring it up, and we know how to answer that.

Who is usually at fault in a motorcycle crash?

Most of the crashes we handle come down to another driver’s mistake, like a left turn across your path, an unsafe lane change, or simple inattention. We investigate the crash report and witness statements rather than accept the insurance company’s version of events.

How much compensation can I get for a motorcycle crash?

It depends on your medical bills, lost income, future care needs, and how the injury has changed your life. Serious injuries like a traumatic brain injury raise the value. We can walk through the real factors once we review your case.

How long do I have to file a claim in Florida?

Generally two years from the date of the crash. Miss that window and your claim is usually barred for good, so the sooner you call, the more evidence we can still gather.

How long does a motorcycle crash settlement take?

It depends on how serious your injuries are, how strong the evidence is, and whether the insurance company negotiates fairly. Straightforward cases can wrap up in months. Cases that need to go to the Broward County Courthouse take longer.

Talk to a Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Crash Lawyer Today

You don’t have to sort this out on your own. We work on contingency, so there is no fee unless we win, and your first consultation with us is free. Contact Palaidis Law today, and let’s talk about what happened and what comes next.