Who can be held responsible in Florida for injuries or death to motorcycle operators and passengers?
- Motorcycles are considered vehicles and enjoy all the same rights as cars on the road, but they also have the same responsibility to abide by all the traffic laws. If you are involved in an accident as the operator of a motorcycle or a passenger on a motorcycle and another vehicle causes the accident then the driver and the owner of the other vehicle will be responsible for your damages, including medical bills, wage loss, and pain and suffering. If you are a passenger on a motorcycle and the operator of the motorcycle caused the accident then you have a claim against the motorcycle driver. An important issue in any motorcycle case is whether you are wearing a helmet, because if you are not wearing a helmet and your injuries could have been avoided or lessened had you been wearing your helmet, then you may have some responsibility for your own injuries. That's called comparative negligence and will lessen your ability to be fully compensated for your injuries in a personal injury claim involving a motor vehicle accident.
