Training Required for New Motorcycle Riders Under New Florida Law
If you ride a motorcycle in Florida -- or plan to soon -- you’ve probably heard about the new state law requiring new riders to pass a training course before they get their licenses. If you haven’t, here’s a brief summary: People of any age who would like a brand-new motorcycle endorsement on a Florida license must first pass a Basic RiderCourse from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Before, this was only true for riders under 21. People who already have motorcycle endorsements aren’t affected. The Florida DMV has more information.
I ride myself (I have a Harley Road King Classic and a Big Dog Ridgeback chopper, and my wife rides a Harley Softtail Deluxe), and I don’t mind admitting that I wouldn’t like being told what to do by the government if I were a new rider. However, as a personal injury attorney who’s handled many motorcycle accident cases, I believe this law could greatly benefit riders. That’s not so much because it’ll make riders safer. Of course, I hope and believe a training course will make inexperienced riders think twice about advanced or dangerous moves. But the landmark study on motorcycle accident causes, the Hurt Report, found that at least half of all motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers of cars and trucks who violate the motorcyclist’s right of way. In fact, it said drivers’ failure to look for or see riders is “the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents.” If you’re on the road frequently, you can probably confirm that from your own experience.
No, I’m pleased about this training law because it will make it harder for insurance companies to make motorcyclists look reckless. As a personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, I frequently represent people who were seriously injured in accidents, and serious injuries can be expensive. Some insurance companies don’t want to pay expensive claims -- even though they’re obligated to by their own contracts -- so they try to make the accident look like the rider’s fault. Unfortunately, in front of a jury with negative preconceptions about motorcycles, this can be easy. But if I can point to my client’s Motorcycle Safety Foundation certification, I have built-in evidence that my client knows what it takes to stay safe on the road. (Wearing a helmet and other protective gear also helps demonstrate this.)
Of course, the best way to avoid stupid insurance tricks is to not need to make a claim. But if you were hurt in a motorcycle accident despite your best efforts, you should contact my firm, Cohn, Smith & Cohn, for a free evaluation of your case.
