West Palm Beach Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you got hurt riding in West Palm Beach, you're up against two opponents. The driver who hit you, and the assumption that the biker must have been the reckless one. Here's something most riders don't know: Florida's no-fault PIP system doesn't cover motorcycles. That means you claim directly against the at-fault driver from day one. It's a real advantage when the evidence is on your side, and a disaster when it's your word against theirs. I'm Shannon Sagan, The Dash Cam Lawyer®, and my job is making sure it's never just your word. Free consultation, no fee unless I win.
No PIP for Riders. That Changes Your Case.
Florida drivers are stuck with $10,000 of PIP and a serious injury threshold before they can sue for pain and suffering. Riders aren't. Motorcycles are excluded from Florida's no-fault system entirely. No PIP safety net, but also no threshold blocking your claim. You go straight at the at-fault driver's bodily injury coverage (hopefully they have some as it is not required in Florida).
Two takeaways. Your medical bills have no automatic funding, so building the liability case fast is everything. And full compensation, including pain and suffering, is on the table from the first dollar.
The Bias Is Real. Footage Beats It.
Insurance adjusters price motorcycle claims with a thumb on the scale. He was speeding. She came out of nowhere. Bikers assume the risk. Juries can carry the same baggage. Under Florida's comparative negligence rule, that bias has teeth. Get tagged with more than half the fault and you recover nothing.
Now put a camera on the bars or the helmet. The left-turning driver who "never saw you" is on video, turning across your lane. Your speed, your lane position, your headlight, all documented. I built my practice on one idea: the camera wins. I give away dash cams to drivers. If you ride, a helmet or handlebar cam is the single best legal investment you'll ever make. Already running one? Bring me the footage. That's a case that settles from strength.
No Camera? I Still Build the Proof.
Most riders don’t have footage rolling. So you need to reconstruct. Intersection and business surveillance along the corridor. The other vehicle's dash cam or telematics. Witness statements. Skid and gouge marks. ECU data. Accident reconstruction experts. The evidence exists, but things can disappear quickly and traffic and business cameras overwrite in days.
Riding, and Crashing, in Palm Beach County
Left-turn crashes at intersections along Okeechobee Boulevard, Southern Boulevard, and Military Trail. High-speed sideswipes on I-95. Weekend rides up A1A and out 441 toward the lake, where pickups and agriculture traffic share two-lane roads. Year-round riding season means year-round exposure, and Florida is consistently among the deadliest states in the country for motorcyclists.
Helmets, Injuries, and What Your Case May Be Worth
Florida lets riders 21 and over go without a helmet if they carry at least $10,000 in medical benefits coverage. Expect the defense to make your helmet choice an issue whether the law allowed it or not. I've seen that fight coming for years and I know how to handle it. Motorcycle injuries are rarely minor. Road rash needing grafts. Fractures. Spinal damage. Traumatic brain injuries. Damages include all medical care, future treatment, lost income and earning capacity, and pain and suffering, with no threshold standing in your way. You have two years from the crash to file.
What to Do Right Now
Save your footage and your gear. The scraped helmet and torn jacket are evidence. Photograph everything. Get medical care immediately, even if the adrenaline says you're fine. Don't give a recorded statement or take a quick offer. Then call me and let the preservation letters fly.
Call The Dash Cam Lawyer® at 561-561-DASH (3274). Free consultation. No fee unless I win. Offices in Palm Springs and Belle Glade, serving West Palm Beach and all of Palm Beach County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does PIP cover motorcycle accidents in Florida?
No. Motorcycles are excluded from Florida's no-fault system. Your health insurance, MedPay, or the at-fault driver's coverage pays. The upside is you can pursue full damages against the at-fault driver without meeting any injury threshold.
I wasn't wearing a helmet. Can I still recover?
Yes. If you're 21 or older with the required medical coverage, riding without a helmet is legal in Florida. The defense may argue it worsened your injuries. I know how to counter that, especially for injuries a helmet wouldn't have prevented.
The driver says I came out of nowhere. Now what?
That's the standard script in left-turn cases. Video, physical evidence, and reconstruction routinely prove the rider was visible, lawful, and there to be seen. It's exactly the fight I built this practice for.
What if I was partly at fault?
You can recover if you're 50% or less at fault, reduced by your percentage. Over 50% bars recovery entirely. That's why I treat fault allocation as the main event, not a side issue.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Florida?
Two years from the date of the crash. But camera footage from businesses and intersections disappears within days, so the practical deadline for evidence is much shorter.
Is a helmet camera legal in Florida, and can I use the footage?
Yes. Video recording on public roads is legal and your footage is powerful evidence. One caution: Florida is an all-party consent state for audio recording of private conversations. That's a nuance I'm happy to walk you through.