South Florida Injury Attorney Blog

We touched on practicing defensive motor cycle driving in one of my previous blogs, and in that blog we mentioned the importance of protective clothing, wearing a helmet, and protective eyewear. It’s not rocket science the importance of wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle or scooter especially on the roads of South Florida.

I have found some information that clarifies the requirements of wearing protective gear see below:

If you are 20 and younger - the law requires that all riders younger than 21 years wear helmets, without exception. Those 21 years of age and older may ride without helmets once they are covered by a medical insurance policy and can show the proof of insurance. See Florida Statute Title xxiii Motor Vehicles Chapter 316 for more information and clarification.
Scooters/Mopeds – If you are under the age of 16 you are required to wear protective headgear should you operate a low-powered cycle that can attain speeds greater than 30 mph; has an engine displacement greater than 50cc and brake horsepower greater than 2hp.

NOTES:
• Wearing a helmet does not guarantee that you or your passenger will survive an accident.
• Some statistics - in almost all motorcycle accidents that take place, the rider and/or passenger will suffer some sort of personal injury, and riding without a helmet you will be more likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury than a motorcyclist who is wearing a helmet.
• Representing motor cycle riders who have been injured in accidents in Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines and Davie we have found that failure to wear a helmet can decrease your compensation if you are injured in an accident. We have seen some cases where the defense argued that your damages might have been lessened had you worn a helmet.
• Please note in some cases, you are not entitled to receive compensation from damages if you were not wearing a helmet.

Should you or any one of your family be involved in an accident whilst riding a motor cycle you should contact an experienced motor cycle accident attorney to seek counsel to ensure you receive proper compensation.