Motorcycle Accident Claims in Palm Beach Gardens: Off-Road vs. Street Crashes
There are two types of motorcycling: Off-road and street. Motorcyclists debate for hours about which one is better. Dirtbikers love the rough, rugged surfaces of trails. In contrast, street motorcyclists prefer smooth road surfaces and high speeds. Some enjoy both. Whatever you think about these two hobbies, offroading and street motorcycle accidents in Palm Beach Gardens are handled differently.
Liability Insurance Is Not Required for Off-Road Vehicles in Florida
In Florida, liability insurance is not required for off-road vehicles. These include dirtbikes, ATVs, and any motorcycles that can operate off public roads. Many people who enjoy dirt biking do not obtain insurance for this reason. However, this removes a key source of compensation after a crash. If you become injured while riding your motorcycle off a public road, you may regret not getting insurance. This is why many dirt bikers get liability insurance.
Although insurance is not necessary when off-roading, many dirt biking events will not allow you to compete unless you obtain liability insurance. These events might be races, track competitions, etc.
Even without insurance, it may still be possible to file a personal injury lawsuit after a dirt biking crash. If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you could potentially file a claim against them. For example, you might have been riding on the back of a dirt bike as a passenger. In this situation, you could theoretically sue the driver. Your accident might have been caused by another motorist. Speak with a lawyer to assess your options in more detail.
Filing an Accident Claim After a Street Motorcycle Accident
Generally speaking, it is easier to pursue compensation for your injuries after a motorcycle accident on a public road. That being said, there is still no legal requirement to obtain motorcycle liability insurance if you want to ride on the road. Florida is one of the few states that does not force you to get motorcycle insurance.
However, you must still show that you are financially capable of paying for injuries after potential crashes in the future. In effect, this makes insurance the only viable option for most people. Motorcycles do not fall under the “no-fault” system like other vehicles.
To pursue compensation after a motorcycle crash in Florida, you can sue an at-fault party. You can do this even if you partially caused your own crash. As long as you were less than 50% responsible for your accident, Florida allows you to sue for injuries. You might also turn to your own motorcycle insurance policy for compensation. This might be the right choice if no other parties caused your accident.
Learn More Alongside a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Palm Beach Gardens
Whether you have been injured in an off road or street motorcycle accident, it makes sense to speak with a Palm Beach Gardens motorcycle accident lawyer. These legal professionals can examine your unique situation in more detail. With their help, you can pursue compensation in the most effective way. Choose Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather to get started with an action plan.
Sources:
xinsurance.com/risk-class/motocross-track-insurance/
valuepenguin.com/dirt-bike-insurance