Motorcycle Safety Laws in Florida: What Riders Should Know
Anyone who owns a motorcycle can tell you that the rush of riding is unlike anything else one can experience. However, due to a motorcycle’s inherent design, the risks for personal injury are much higher relative to a typical passenger car.
With its postcard views of the ocean and year-round temperate climate, Florida is well regarded by motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the world. Events such as Biketoberfest and Daytona Bike Week bring thousands of riders together in one place to celebrate the joys of motorcycle riding.
Although riding a motorcycle can be a liberating experience, Florida laws are in place to curb dangerous behavior and keep riders safe from personal injury while on the road. While some of these laws are common sense, others may be new information to riders. If you ride a motorcycle in Florida, read on to discover what riders should know about motorcycle safety laws in the state.
Florida’s Helmet Law
Florida’s helmet law for motorcyclists can be a little confusing at first glance. The law states that for riders age 21 and over, a helmet is not necessary when riding as long as they are covered by an insurance policy that provides at least $10,000 in personal injury coverage. For riders under age 21, a helmet is required by state law to be worn at all times while riding.
Headset Restrictions
Motorcycle headsets offer riders the chance to listen to music or communicate with other riders without the impediment of engine and traffic noise. However, according to Florida law, these devices are not allowed while riding if they are not connected to your helmet. So, while some manufacturers sell headsets built into a helmet, devices such as Apple Airpods or other separate listening devices are not allowed under state law.
Eye Protection Requirements
Florida requires riders to wear eye protection while on their motorcycle. While riding at high speeds, even the smallest fleck of debris in the eyes can cause significant impairment to vision, and the risk of personal injury goes up exponentially.
Legal Implications
Florida is a comparative negligence state when it comes to traffic accidents. This means that when courts are looking to determine how to award damages in a personal injury lawsuit, all parties involved are examined to determine the degree to which their actions contributed to the accident. Therefore, if the courts can see that you as the plaintiff were not wearing a helmet or eye protection or you were wearing an external headset device, the defendant in the case could argue that you were being negligent and these decisions ultimately contributed to the accident.
The Benefit of Professional Counsel
Obtaining compensation for damages from a motorcycle accident can be a complicated process, which is why working with an experienced personal injury attorney is almost always worth the investment.
For over thirty years, the Orlando motorcycle accident attorneys at Payer Law have been working to advocate for fair compensation for injuries incurred on the road. Contact us today for a consultation.
Resource:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.211.html
https://www.payerlawgroup.com/osha-violations-what-florida-workers-need-to-know/
