If you are going to "ride free" protect yourself; ride with adequate insurance coverage

 Florida repealed the Universal Helmet Law in 2000 for motorcycle riders over 21 years of age and since then fatalities from motorcycle accidents have increased by 81%.   According to the American College of Surgeons, motorcyclists that “ride free”, without a helmet, are over three times more likely to suffer a serious brain injury when compared to riders wearing helmets in an accident, and their average hospital bills are doubled.  A hospital bill for a serious head injury could run close to $200,000, not including rehabilitation, future medical expenses, and lost wages.

 When the Florida legislature repealed the Universal Helmet Law, they made it mandatory for motorcyclists, riding without helmets, to carry $10,000 of Medical Payment Insurance to cover the costs of injuries that the helmet-less rider may incur if in an accident. This seems rather irresponsible on our legislature’s part, as the financial burden of the poorly insured motorcyclist that is riding legally without a helmet, is borne by the public.

 Statistics show when helmet use laws are enacted, helmet use increases and fatalities and serious injuries decrease.   At this time there are 20 States and Canada that require helmet use for all motorcyclists, including our neighbors, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. 

 As a personal injury lawyer that has been helping people injured in accidents for 37 years in Gainesville, Ocala and all over North Central Florida, I recommend that if you are going to “ride free”, (or ride at all), ride with full insurance coverage protection.  Statistics show that most accidents involving motorcycles are caused by the careless car or truck driver, no matter if the rider is wearing a helmet or not.  On top of this, over 50% of drivers on the road in Florida are underinsured, minimally insured, or not insured at all and are driving illegally.  If a motorcyclist gets in an accident with a car or vehicle of any type and the owner or the driver of the vehicle falls into that 50% category, and if the motorcyclists themselves do not have adequate insurance coverage, they are out of luck, and on top of devastating injuries, the financial costs will most likely cause bankruptcy.  

 I strongly urge all motorcyclists to carry full insurance coverage, including Uninsured Motorists Coverage (UM), $100,000 minimum, to be protected from another driver’s carelessness and Medical Payment of $50,000 plus Medical Insurance (such as Blue Cross)   to be protected no matter who was at fault.  That way if the worst thing happens and a tragic accident occurs, they will be able to financially take care of themselves and their family. 

Perhaps, as well as increased Medical Payments Coverage limits the legislature should require realistic mandatory Uninsured Motorist’s coverage for riders to protect them from careless car and truck drivers on the road. 

 Ride safe and protect yourself against someone else's mistakes!