Miami Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Reviewed by Mike Redondo, Founding Attorney, Redondo Law, P.A. • Updated October 2026

If a driver hit you while you were on a motorcycle, Redondo Law helps riders and their families recover from the crash and the insurance fight that follows. As a Miami motorcycle accident lawyer, Mike Redondo represents injured riders and passengers in Miami and across all of Miami-Dade County, from North Miami Beach and Miami Gardens to Doral, Hialeah, Miami Beach and Kendall.

The consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we win. Our phones are answered 24/7 by a fully bilingual staff. Se habla español. You can meet with us at our office on Coral Way, by phone or by video, and we come to clients who cannot travel.

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Why motorcycle riders get blamed after a crash

Many drivers and insurance adjusters assume a rider was speeding or weaving, even when the driver caused the crash. That bias shows up early. A driver tells the officer, “He came out of nowhere.” An adjuster calls you within days and asks how fast you were going. The goal is to shift fault onto you.

Since March 24, 2023, Florida has used modified comparative negligence. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you generally recover nothing. If you are 50% at fault or less, your recovery is reduced by your share. So an insurer that can push your share of the blame from 30% to 51% can wipe out your claim.

The Florida rule

Florida uses modified comparative negligence. If a jury finds you more than 50% at fault, you generally recover nothing. At 50% or less, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, in a hypothetical case where you are found 20% at fault, your recovery is reduced by 20%. This is why evidence about how the crash happened matters from day one.

We push back with facts. That means traffic and business cameras, helmet or dash camera footage, witness statements, the damage pattern on the bike and the car, and, when needed, a crash reconstruction. We also look at what the driver was doing: texting, turning without looking, or rushing a yellow light.

Common motorcycle accident types in Miami

Most motorcycle crashes happen because a driver did not see the rider or did not look. These are the crash types we see over and over on Miami-Dade roads.

See which Miami-Dade corridors the county has flagged for deadly and serious crashes in our guide to the most dangerous roads in Miami-Dade.

Left turns in front of a rider. A driver turns left across traffic and misjudges the rider’s speed or never sees the bike. This is common on busy roads with constant turning traffic, like US-1, Coral Way and Bird Road.
Lane changes and merges. On the Palmetto, the Dolphin Expressway and I-95, drivers change lanes or merge without checking the blind spot.
Rear-end crashes at lights. A distracted driver fails to stop and hits a rider waiting at a red light. A bump that dents a car bumper can throw a rider onto the pavement.
Car doors. A parked driver opens a door into a rider’s path, often in busy areas like Brickell, Wynwood and South Beach.
Road hazards. Potholes, loose gravel, debris, uneven pavement and missing road plates can throw a bike down. If a city, the county or the state is responsible for the road, the claim is against a government agency. Those claims need written notice first and have damage caps, so they must be handled early and correctly.
Rain and slick roads. Afternoon storms are common in South Florida for much of the year. Standing water and oil on the surface make braking and cornering harder, and drivers still need to adjust for the weather.

Lane splitting. Riding between lanes of stopped or slow traffic is illegal in Florida. Insurers know this, and they raise it in almost every motorcycle claim, whether or not it happened. If you were in your lane, we gather the proof. If lane position is in dispute, it becomes a question of fault, not an automatic end to your case.

Where motorcycle crashes happen across Miami-Dade

We represent riders hurt anywhere in the county. Knowing the roads helps us find cameras, witnesses and the agency that wrote the report. The Florida Highway Patrol usually handles crashes on the expressways, the Turnpike and I-95. City police handle crashes on city streets, and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office covers unincorporated areas.

Motorcycle accidents in North Miami and North Miami Beach

Biscayne Boulevard, NE 163rd Street and NE 167th Street carry heavy traffic with frequent turns into shopping centers and side streets. Riders also travel I-95 and the Golden Glades Interchange, where I-95, the Palmetto, the Turnpike and US-441 meet. Merging traffic there leaves little room for a driver’s mistake. North Miami and North Miami Beach police investigate crashes on city streets.

Motorcycle accidents in Miami Gardens

Miami Gardens Drive, US-441 (NW 2nd Avenue / State Road 7), NW 27th Avenue and Florida’s Turnpike all run through Miami Gardens. On game days and concert nights, traffic around Hard Rock Stadium adds crowds, sudden stops and drivers who do not know the area.

Motorcycle accidents in Miami Lakes and Hialeah

The Palmetto Expressway and Okeechobee Road (US-27) are busy, fast roads with trucks, frequent merges and drivers changing lanes to reach their exits. Read more about our Hialeah injury cases.

Miami Beach and the causeways

Collins Avenue and Alton Road are packed with cars, rideshare stops and opening doors. Riders heading to and from the beach use the MacArthur, Julia Tuttle and Venetian Causeways, and the Rickenbacker Causeway to Key Biscayne. Wind, speed and heavy weekend traffic make the causeways hard on riders. See our Miami Beach personal injury page for more.

Motorcycle accidents in Doral

Doral has many warehouses and freight businesses near Miami International Airport. That means box trucks, semis and delivery vans making wide turns, backing out of loading areas and merging onto the Palmetto and the Dolphin. A crash with a commercial vehicle can bring in the company’s insurer as well as the driver’s. Learn more about our Doral injury cases.

Central and south Miami

US-1 (South Dixie Highway), Coral Way, Bird Road and Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street) are multi-lane roads with constant turning traffic, bus stops and driveways. Left-turn crashes and drivers pulling out of side streets are common causes of rider injuries here.

Motorcycle tire failure and defective parts

Not every motorcycle crash is caused by another driver. Sometimes the bike itself fails. When a defect causes the crash, the manufacturer, the parts maker or the seller may be responsible under Florida product liability law. These cases can exist alongside a claim against a driver.

Tire tread separation and blowouts. A tire that loses its tread or fails suddenly at speed can make a bike impossible to control.
Brake and ABS defects. Brakes that fade, lock or fail, or an anti-lock system that does not work as designed.
Steering and wobble problems. Speed wobble or weave caused by a design or manufacturing defect in the frame, forks, steering head or wheels.
Recalled parts. Manufacturers issue recalls for motorcycles, tires and parts. You can check your bike’s VIN with the NHTSA recall lookup. A recall does not prove a defect caused your crash, but it is an important lead.

Keep the motorcycle and the tire. This is the most important step in a defect case. Do not let an insurance company, tow yard or salvage yard sell, crush or dispose of the bike. Do not repair it. We can arrange to store it and, when needed, bring in engineers to inspect the tire and parts. Keep the bike. It is key evidence in a defect claim.

Florida motorcycle insurance: who pays your bills

Insurance works differently for riders. In a car crash, Florida’s no-fault PIP coverage pays part of your medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. PIP does not cover motorcycle riders. That leaves many riders asking who pays while the claim is pending.

Insurance rules riders should know

PIP does not cover motorcycle riders. Florida riders over 21 may ride without a helmet only if they carry at least $10,000 in medical benefits coverage. Most Florida drivers are only required to carry $10,000 PIP and $10,000 property damage liability. Bodily injury liability is not required for most drivers, so the driver who hit you may have little or no injury coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage is optional, but insurers must offer it, and a rejection must be in writing.

Because so many drivers carry little or no bodily injury coverage, finding every available policy is one of the first things we do. Depending on the facts, money can come from:

The at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage, if they have it.
Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage, which can apply when the driver has no coverage, too little coverage, or fled the scene.
Medical benefits coverage on your motorcycle policy.
Your health insurance.
A commercial policy, if the driver was working, such as a delivery or company vehicle. See our delivery driver accident page.
A manufacturer or seller, if a defective tire or part caused the crash.

Our guide to Florida motorcycle insurance requirements explains the rules in more detail. If you are not sure what your policy covers, send it to us and we will review it.

Common motorcycle accident injuries

A rider has no steel frame, airbags or seat belt. Even a low-speed crash can cause serious harm. The injuries we see most often include:

Road rash. Skin and tissue scraped off by the pavement. Severe road rash can cause infection, nerve damage and permanent scarring, and may need skin grafts.
Traumatic brain injury. Concussions and more serious traumatic brain injuries can happen with or without a helmet. Symptoms like memory problems, headaches and mood changes may not show up right away.
Spinal cord injuries. A spinal cord injury can cause partial or full paralysis and change a rider’s life.
Fractures. Broken legs, ankles, wrists, collarbones, ribs and pelvis are common, and many need surgery, hardware and months of therapy.
Amputation. Crushing injuries to a leg or foot can lead to the loss of a limb.
Burns. Contact with a hot engine or exhaust, or a fire after the crash.

When an injury is permanent or life-changing, the case needs a full picture of future care, lost earning ability and daily needs. Learn more about our catastrophic injury cases. If a crash took a rider’s life, the family may have a wrongful death claim.

What affects the value of a motorcycle accident case

We value your claim once we know the full extent of your injuries. These are the factors that shape the value of a claim:

The injuries. How serious they are, whether they are permanent, and whether there is scarring or surgery.
Medical bills, now and in the future. Past treatment plus the care your doctors expect you to need.
Lost income and earning ability. Time missed from work and whether you can return to the same job.
Pain, suffering and lost enjoyment of life. How the injuries affect your daily life, family and the things you love, including riding.
Fault. Any share of fault assigned to you reduces your recovery, and more than 50% generally bars it.
Helmet use. Not wearing a helmet does not bar a claim, but the insurer may argue it should reduce your damages for head injuries.
Available insurance. The driver’s coverage, your UM coverage and any commercial or product claims often set the real limits of a recovery.
Evidence. Video, witnesses, the crash report and the condition of the bike can make the difference in a disputed case.

You can see our case results for examples of the types of cases we handle. Past results do not predict the outcome of any future case.

What to do after a motorcycle crash in Miami

The steps you take in the first days can protect your health and your claim.

Call 911 and get medical care right away, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can hide serious injuries.
Make sure the police write a report, and get the report number and the officer’s agency.
Take photos of the scene, the vehicles, your bike, your gear, your injuries and any road hazards.
Get names and phone numbers of witnesses, and note any nearby business or traffic cameras.
Keep your helmet, jacket and other gear as they are. Do not wash or throw them away.
Keep the motorcycle and tires. Do not let anyone repair, sell, salvage or crush the bike until it has been inspected.
Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer. You have no duty to do so.
Do not post about the crash or your injuries on social media.
Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and keep every bill and record.
Call a Miami motorcycle accident attorney before you sign anything or accept an offer.

Why riders choose Redondo Law

Mike Redondo and his team give every case personal attention at Redondo Law. You will know who is responsible for your case, and you can reach our team when you need answers.

Before founding Redondo Law in 2019, Mike spent six years at Holland & Knight defending major corporations in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. He knows how corporate defendants and their lawyers build a defense, and he uses that knowledge to prepare riders’ cases from the start. Read more about Mike Redondo.

Our staff is fully bilingual in English and Spanish, and our phones are answered 24/7. We work on contingency, so there is no fee unless we win. Our office is at 2828 Coral Way in Miami, and we meet clients across Miami-Dade in person, by phone or by video.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still recover if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?

Yes. In Florida, not wearing a helmet does not bar a claim. Riders over 21 may ride without a helmet if they carry at least $10,000 in medical benefits coverage. The insurer may argue that a helmet would have reduced a head injury and that your damages should be lower. That argument usually does not apply to injuries like broken legs or road rash, and it does not change who caused the crash.

Who pays my medical bills since PIP does not cover riders?

Because PIP does not cover motorcycle riders, your bills may be paid by medical benefits coverage on your motorcycle policy, your health insurance, the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage, or your own uninsured motorist coverage. A commercial policy may apply if the driver was working. We review every policy that may apply and help you deal with providers while the claim is pending.

How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in Florida?

For most negligence claims from crashes after March 24, 2023, you have two years to file a lawsuit. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the death. Claims against a government agency, such as for a dangerous road, require written notice first. Other claims, like product defect claims, can have different rules. Evidence disappears quickly, so it is wise to call early.

What if the driver who hit me has no insurance?

This is common in Florida because most drivers are not required to carry bodily injury liability coverage. If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage, it can pay for your injuries when the driver has no coverage or not enough. UM can also apply if the driver fled the scene. Report a hit-and-run to police promptly. We also look for other policies and other responsible parties.

Do I need a lawyer after a motorcycle accident?

Motorcycle claims raise issues that car claims do not. Riders are blamed more often, PIP does not apply, and insurance coverage is often thin. If you were seriously hurt, fault is disputed, or the insurer is asking for a recorded statement, talking to a motorcycle accident lawyer can help you avoid mistakes. The consultation is free.

What if a defective tire caused my crash?

If a tire separated, blew out or failed because of a defect, the tire maker, the motorcycle manufacturer or the seller may be responsible. The most important step is to keep the tire and the bike exactly as they are. Do not let a salvage yard or insurer dispose of them. We can arrange storage and, when needed, an inspection by engineers.

If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle crash anywhere in Miami-Dade County, call (305) 908-6778 any time, day or night, or contact us online for a free consultation with a Miami motorcycle accident lawyer.

Hurt on a Motorcycle in Miami-Dade? Talk to a Lawyer Today

Free, confidential case review. No fee unless we win. Available 24/7. Se habla español.