Florida Motorcycle Accident Lawyer | Broward County & Fort Lauderdale

Florida Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

When You Were Blamed for a Crash That Wasn’t Your Fault — We Prove What Really Happened.

Florida is the deadliest state in the nation for motorcyclists. When you are injured in a motorcycle crash, the bias starts immediately — at the scene, in the police report, and especially with the insurance adjuster reviewing your claim. Riders are blamed for crashes that weren’t their fault. Helmet choices are used to reduce damages. Citations are treated as case-closing evidence.

We know better. Susan Brown was an insurance adjuster before she became a trial Lawyer. She helped develop the playbook insurers use against motorcyclists. Now she defeats it — including the $2.5 million recovery for a rider who was cited at the scene.

When the Ambulance Is the One That Hit You

One of our clients was riding his motorcycle behind an ambulance when it stopped short without warning. He collided with the ambulance, flew off his bike, and landed on the windshield of another vehicle. The police cited him at the scene. That citation could have ended his case.

It didn’t. Our team gathered testimony from multiple witnesses who saw the ambulance cut him off and stop suddenly with no warning. We proved the ambulance driver was negligent. The case resolved for $2,500,000.

This case is the reason we tell every motorcycle accident victim the same thing: do not accept what you are told at the scene. Citations, bias, and initial impressions are not the end of your story. Your story matters — and how it is told determines what you recover.

$2,500,000 — Motorcycle vs. ambulance — client cited at scene. Witness testimony proved ambulance liability. Recovered $2.5 million.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is evaluated on its individual facts.

Florida Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Florida is the deadliest state in the nation for motorcyclists. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), in 2023:

Statewide Statistics (2023)

Florida recorded more motorcycle fatalities than any other state in 2023. The numbers are not improving — motorcycle fatalities in Florida increased 18% between 2019 and 2023.

Broward County Statistics (2023)

Florida consistently ranks among the worst states in the country for motorcycle fatalities. In Broward County, there are more than 700 motorcycle crashes reported annually — over 80% resulting in injuries to the rider. Fort Lauderdale’s dense traffic, high-speed corridors like I-95 and US-1, and year-round riding season create conditions where a single moment of driver inattention can permanently change your life.

Motorcyclists are not protected by steel frames, airbags, or crumple zones. When another driver fails to see you, cuts you off, or misjudges your speed, the injuries that follow — traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, fractured bones, road rash — are often catastrophic. And yet, insurers routinely treat motorcyclists as suspect from the moment a claim is filed.

Why Insurance Companies Defend Motorcycle Claims So Aggressively

Here is what most motorcyclists do not know going into a claim: the adjuster assigned to your file is working from a playbook designed to minimize your settlement.

Susan Brown knows this playbook because she helped write it. Before becoming an Lawyer, Susan worked as a bodily injury insurance adjuster — evaluating claims, reviewing medical records, and developing the valuation arguments that insurers use to justify low offers.

How Insurance Companies Handle Motorcycle Claims — And Why Susan Brown Is Different

Here is what most motorcyclists do not know going into a claim: the adjuster assigned to your file is working from a playbook designed to minimize your settlement. Common tactics include:

• Shifting blame onto the rider at the earliest opportunity
• Arguments that helmet use or non-use affected injury outcomes
• Claims the rider was speeding, weaving, or behaving recklessly
• A low initial offer before the full extent of injuries is known
• Pressure to settle before you have completed medical treatment

Susan Brown spent years as a bodily injury claims adjuster before she became an attorney. She has sat on the other side of these cases. When she evaluates your motorcycle accident claim, she is evaluating it the way the insurance company will — and building the case that defeats their strategy. In one of our motor vehicle cases, an insurer offered $55,000 and cited prior injuries to minimize the claim. Our team proved those injuries were exacerbated by the crash and recovered nearly four times the initial offer.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Florida

Driver Negligence

Left-turn collisions

The leading cause of motorcycle accidents in Florida. A driver turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle, failing to see the rider or misjudging their speed. These crashes are almost always the driver’s fault — but insurers still try to blame riders.

Failure to yield at intersections

Drivers run red lights, fail to yield, or make illegal turns — striking motorcycles who have the right of way.

Lane-change accidents

Drivers fail to check blind spots before changing lanes and strike a motorcycle traveling alongside them. Common on I-95 and other multi-lane roads.

Distracted driving

Texting, phone use, eating, and other distractions reduce a driver’s ability to see and react to motorcycles.

Rear-end collisions

Distracted or inattentive drivers strike motorcycles stopped at lights or in traffic. Even low-speed rear-end crashes can throw riders from their bikes.

Dooring incidents

Drivers or passengers open car doors into the path of oncoming motorcycles — common in Fort Lauderdale’s urban corridors and along Las Olas Boulevard.

Impaired driving

DUI crashes are particularly dangerous on A1A and late-night I-95 traffic.

Road Hazards

Potholes and uneven pavement

Conditions that cars can drive over safely can cause motorcycles to lose control.

Debris and gravel

Sand, gravel, and debris on roadways create traction hazards for motorcycles.

Construction zones

Uneven surfaces, lane shifts, and reduced visibility in construction zones — common on State Road 84 and other heavily-traveled routes.

Poor road maintenance

Municipalities may be liable for failing to maintain safe roads.

Dangerous Roads and Intersections for Motorcyclists in South Florida

Major Highways

Interstate 95

The most dangerous highway in Florida for all road users. High speeds, aggressive lane changes, heavy traffic, and distracted drivers make I-95 extremely dangerous for riders. The segment between I-595 and Marina Mile Boulevard — called “America’s Deadliest Mile” — sees frequent motorcycle crashes.

Interstate 595

Heavy commercial truck traffic traveling between I-95 and I-75. Complex interchanges and aggressive driving create unique hazards for motorcyclists.

US-1 (Federal Highway)

Frequent turning vehicles, commercial driveways, and drivers entering/exiting businesses create constant conflict points for riders traveling through.

Dangerous Local Roads

A1A

Narrow coastal road with heavy tourist traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists. Tourists unfamiliar with local roads often fail to check for motorcycles.

Las Olas Boulevard

Heavy pedestrian traffic, distracted drivers, and dooring hazards in entertainment districts.

State Road 84

Construction zones, uneven pavement, and debris create road hazard risks for motorcyclists.

Sunrise Boulevard

High-speed traffic and complex patterns, especially around the 2400 block and near I-95.

Oakland Park Boulevard

Heavy commuter traffic and frequent lane changes, especially at Powerline Road.

Broward Boulevard

Major east-west corridor with high-conflict intersections at Andrews Avenue and US-1.

High-Risk Intersections for Motorcyclists

• A1A & Las Olas Boulevard: 244 crashes reported (2023-2024) — highest in Fort Lauderdale
• Broward Boulevard & Andrews Avenue: Heavy commuter traffic, frequent pedestrian crossings
• Broward Boulevard & US-1: High volume, complex signals, rush-hour congestion
• Sunrise Boulevard & Federal Highway: Among the most dangerous in Broward County
• Cypress Creek Road & Powerline Road: 192 crashes reported, near I-95 ramps
• Oakland Park Boulevard & Powerline Road: Major commuter crossroads

If you were injured on any of these roads or anywhere else in South Florida, contact us for a free consultation.

Motorcycle Accident Injuries We Handle

Motorcycle crashes produce some of the most severe injuries we see. Without the protection of a vehicle frame, riders absorb the full force of impact.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Even with a helmet, the forces of a motorcycle crash can cause concussions, contusions, and severe traumatic brain injuries. Symptoms may not appear immediately. TBI can result in cognitive impairment, personality changes, memory loss, and permanent disability.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The impact of a motorcycle crash can damage the spinal cord, resulting in:

• Herniated discs and nerve damage
• Partial paralysis (paraplegia)
• Complete paralysis (quadriplegia)

Spinal injuries often require lifetime medical care, adaptive equipment, and home modifications.

Road Rash and Degloving Injuries

When a rider slides across pavement, the friction strips away skin and tissue. Severe road rash can:

• Penetrate through skin to muscle and bone
• Require skin grafts and multiple surgeries
• Cause permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Lead to serious infection

Fractures and Broken Bones

• Fractured pelvis, femur, and tibia
• Broken wrists, arms, and shoulders
• Collarbone fractures
• Facial fractures and dental injuries

Some fractures require surgery with plates, screws, or rods. Some result in permanent limitation of movement.

Internal Organ Damage

The blunt force of impact can damage internal organs including the liver, spleen, and kidneys. Internal bleeding may not be immediately apparent and can be life-threatening.

Crush Injuries and Amputation

Severe trauma can result in crush injuries to hands and feet, or the loss of limbs — either at the scene or through surgical amputation afterward.

Psychological Injuries

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety and depression
• Fear of riding
• Sleep disturbances

Wrongful Death

The most devastating outcome. When a rider is killed, surviving family members face not only grief but also financial hardship from lost income and support.

Learn more about Wrongful Death Claims →

Case Results

$2,500,000 — Motorcycle vs. Ambulance

$190,000 — Motor Vehicle Accident with Pre-Existing Condition

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is evaluated on its individual facts.

Florida Law and Your Motorcycle Accident Claim

No PIP Coverage for Motorcycles

What this means for you:

• You cannot recover medical expenses through your own PIP policy after a motorcycle crash
• You must pursue the at-fault driver’s liability insurance directly
• You must prove fault — PIP’s no-fault coverage does not apply
• If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you must rely on your own UM/UIM coverage

This makes early evidence preservation and investigation critical in motorcycle cases.

Modified Comparative Negligence (Effective March 2023)

Florida shifted to a modified Comparative Negligence system in March 2023. If you are found more than 50% at fault for an accident, you cannot recover any damages. If partially at fault below 50%, your recovery is reduced by your percentage. This is why the work done to counter fault arguments — as we did in the ambulance case — is critical to your recovery.

• If you are found partially at fault below 50%, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault
• If you are found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover any damages

This is why the work done to counter fault arguments — as we did in the ambulance case where our client was cited at the scene — is critical to your recovery. Insurers aggressively use comparative fault arguments in motorcycle cases because of bias against riders.

Building the evidentiary record that defeats or minimizes your fault percentage is a core part of what we do from day one.

Florida’s Motorcycle Helmet Law

Riders over 21 may ride without a helmet if they carry at least $10,000 in injury insurance. The absence of a helmet does not bar your claim, but insurers routinely attempt to use it to argue reduced damages. We anticipate and counter this argument.

However, insurance companies use helmet non-use against riders:

• They argue lack of helmet contributed to head injuries
• They claim comparative fault based on helmet choice
• They reduce damage awards citing “failure to mitigate”

We anticipate this argument in every case involving a rider who was not wearing a helmet. We counter it with medical evidence showing the actual cause of your injuries and expert testimony where necessary.

Wearing a helmet is the safest choice — and removes this argument from the table.

No-Fault Insurance Does Not Apply to Motorcyclists

Florida’s PIP (personal injury protection) law covers car accident victims — not motorcyclists. You must pursue the at-fault driver’s liability coverage, which requires proving fault. This makes legal representation essential from the earliest stages of the claim.

Statute of Limitations — Two Years

You have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida. Missing this deadline permanently eliminates your right to compensation. Surveillance footage, witness memories, and physical evidence all deteriorate with time. Contact us immediately.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Florida

At the Scene

1. Get to safety if you can move without worsening injuries
2. Call 911 and obtain an official accident report — do not leave the scene
3. Do not remove your helmet unless necessary — let paramedics assess you
4. Accept emergency medical treatment — adrenaline masks injury and symptoms may not appear for hours or days
5. Photograph everything:
   • Road conditions and vehicle positions
   • Skid marks and debris
   • Damage to your motorcycle from multiple angles
   • Damage to other vehicles
   • Your injuries (visible injuries)
   • Your helmet and gear (damage visible)
   • Traffic signals and signs
   • Weather conditions
6. Get witness contact information — names and phone numbers
7. Do NOT discuss fault at the scene — and do not apologize

Preserve Evidence

• Preserve your motorcycle — Do NOT authorize repairs until it has been fully documented
• Preserve your helmet and gear — Do NOT repair, clean, or discard
  • Your helmet shows impact evidence
  • Gear shows slide distance and road contact
  • This is critical evidence for your case
• Keep all medical records and bills

Protect Your Claim

• Follow up with a doctor as soon as possible — even if you feel fine
• Do NOT give recorded statements to any insurance company
• Do NOT sign anything from an insurance adjuster
• Do NOT accept a quick settlement offer
• Do NOT post on social media about the accident
• Contact Florida Advocates for a free consultation

Preserve your motorcycle, helmet, and gear. Do not authorize repairs, do not clean or discard the helmet, do not throw away your gear. Your motorcycle and gear are critical evidence — accident reconstruction experts use damage patterns and slide marks to prove what really happened.

Damages You Can Recover

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Florida, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses — Emergency care, trauma surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy, medications, medical equipment, skin grafts for road rash, future surgeries and treatment
• Lost wages — Time missed from work during recovery
• Lost earning capacity — Permanent reduction in your ability to work due to injury
• Property damage — Motorcycle repair or replacement, helmet, gear, personal belongings
• Home modifications — If spinal injury requires wheelchair accessibility
• Adaptive equipment — Prosthetics, mobility devices, modified vehicles

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering — Physical pain from injuries and recovery
• Emotional distress — Anxiety, depression, PTSD, fear of riding
• Scarring and disfigurement — Permanent road rash scars, amputation
• Loss of enjoyment of life — Inability to ride, participate in activities you enjoyed
• Loss of consortium — Impact on your relationship with your spouse

Wrongful Death Damages

If a loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Lost financial support
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and protection
• Mental pain and suffering of survivors

Learn more about Wrongful Death Claims →

Why Susan Brown for Your Florida Motorcycle Case

Susan Brown oversees the personal injury division at Florida Advocates. Before becoming an Lawyer, Susan worked as an insurance adjuster handling bodily injury and workers’ compensation claims. She was selected as the designated adjuster for her company’s largest insured, managing complex claims under specialized handling procedures. She was then recruited by a large personal injury firm — which is where she decided to pursue her law degree.

Determined to take on that responsibility herself, Susan enrolled in night classes to prepare for the LSAT, left a lucrative career she loved, and made significant personal sacrifices to pursue a new path. That inside knowledge of how insurance companies evaluate, delay, and undervalue claims is what sets her apart from Lawyers who have only ever worked on one side of a case.

Susan earned her J.D. with Honors from the University of Florida College of Law (1999), receiving the Book Award in Legal Drafting and a Trial Advocacy Scholarship. She is admitted to all three U.S. District Courts in Florida — Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts — and has argued and won cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Susan is a member of the Broward County Trial Lawyers Association and has more than 25 years of insurance litigation experience.

Education

• J.D. with Honors — University of Florida College of Law (1999)
• Book Award — Legal Drafting
• Trial Advocacy Scholarship (won written competition)
• Teaching Assistant — Appellate Advocacy and Legal Research & Writing
• B.S. — Florida State University

Court Admissions

• Florida
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Susan’s federal court admissions mean she can handle complex cases that cross state lines or involve federal questions — not just state court claims.

Appellate Experience

• Argued and won cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
• Argued and won cases before the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Professional Memberships

• Broward County Trial Lawyers Association

Experience

• 25+ years of insurance litigation experience
• $2.5 million recovered for a motorcyclist cited at the scene
• Former bodily injury insurance adjuster
• Has argued and won cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Learn more about Susan Brown →

Insurance Insider Who Advocates for Riders

Most motorcycle accident Lawyers have only ever worked one side of a claim. Susan Brown worked on both sides.

Before law school, Susan worked as a bodily injury insurance adjuster. She:

• Evaluated accident claims — including motorcycle crashes
• Reviewed medical records to identify pre-existing conditions
• Developed the valuation arguments insurers use to justify low offers
• Was selected as the designated adjuster for her company’s largest insured, managing complex claims under specialized handling procedures

Then she went to work for a large personal injury firm — which is where she decided to pursue her law degree.

When Susan takes your motorcycle case, she is not guessing what the insurance company is going to argue. She already knows. “Hard to see.” “Assumed the risk.” “Wasn’t wearing a helmet.” “Was probably speeding.” She has heard them all — because she used to make them.

Now she defeats them. The $2.5 million recovery for a rider who was cited at the scene proves it.

Frequently Asked Questions — Florida Motorcycle Accidents

Florida Medical and Emergency Resources

If you are injured in a motorcycle accident in Florida, these are primary trauma centers in the South Florida region:

Level I Trauma Centers — Broward County

Broward Health Medical Center
(Level I Adult & Pediatric) 1600 S Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: (954) 355-4400
Website

Memorial Regional Hospital
(Level I Trauma) 3501 Johnson Street, Hollywood, FL 33021
Phone: (954) 987-2000

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
(Level I Pediatric) 1005 Joe DiMaggio Drive, Hollywood, FL 33021
Phone: (954) 265-5324

Level I Trauma Centers — Miami-Dade County

Jackson Memorial Hospital / Ryder Trauma Center
(Level I Adult) 1611 NW 12th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136
Phone: (305) 585-6901

Level I Trauma Centers — Tampa Bay

Tampa General Hospital
(Level I Adult) 1 Tampa General Circle, Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: (813) 844-7000

Law Enforcement

Miami-Dade Police Department
Phone: (305) 476-4567

Florida Highway Patrol (Statewide)
Phone: (850) 847-2500

Broward County Sheriff’s Office
Phone: (954) 831-8900

Why Choose Florida Advocates for Your Motorcycle Accident Case

You may have seen billboards, TV commercials, and online ads promising fast settlements. Many of these are “settlement mills” — high-volume firms that push for quick settlements rather than maximum recovery. Motorcycle cases are particularly poorly served by this approach because the bias riders face requires methodical evidence-building to overcome.

At Florida Advocates, we take a different approach:

• Direct Lawyer involvement — Susan Brown personally oversees your case
• Insurance insider knowledge — we know the playbook because Susan helped write it
• Immediate evidence preservation — preservation letters and motorcycle/gear documentation begin the same day you retain us
• Federal court experience — we can litigate at any level
• Accident reconstruction resources — we advance all expert costs
• No rushed settlements — we build cases for maximum value, not quick turnover
• Proven results against bias — $2.5M recovered for a rider cited at the scene

You deserve more than a billboard. You deserve an advocate who understands the bias riders face and knows exactly how to defeat it.

No Fee Unless We Win

We work on a contingency fee basis. That means:

• Free consultation — No cost to speak with us about your case
• No upfront fees — We advance all case costs (filing fees, expert witnesses, medical records, accident reconstruction)
• No Lawyer fees unless we recover for you — If we don’t win, you don’t pay

You will never receive a bill from us while your case is active. We only get paid when you do.

About Florida Advocates

Florida Advocates is a personal injury law firm headquartered in Dania Beach, Florida — in the heart of Broward County. We represent motorcycle accident victims throughout Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and all of Florida.

Office Locations:

Dania Beach (Broward County) — Headquarters
45 E Sheridan Street Dania Beach, FL 33004

North Miami (Miami-Dade County)
13499 Biscayne Blvd #107 North Miami, FL 33181

Tampa (Hillsborough County)
238 E Davis Blvd #210 Tampa, FL 33606

Phone: 754-290-3803
Email: info@fladvocates.com
Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Available by phone 24/7 for emergencies

Statewide Service — Serving Motorcycle Accident Victims Throughout Florida

We handle motorcycle accident cases throughout Florida, including:

• Fort Lauderdale
• Dania Beach — Office Location
• Hollywood
• Pembroke Pines
• Coral Springs
• Plantation
• Hallandale Beach
• Miramar
• Weston
• Pompano Beach
• Boca Raton
• Miami
• Miami Beach
• Hialeah
• North Miami
• Tampa
• Sarasota
• Orlando

View all Service Areas →

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident anywhere in Florida, we can help.

Contact a Florida Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident anywhere in Florida, contact Florida Advocates today. Time matters — surveillance footage, witness recollections, and physical evidence all deteriorate quickly. Your motorcycle, helmet, and gear must be preserved as evidence. Call now to protect your case.

Call: 754-290-3803
Email: info@fladvocates.com

Call us for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we recover for you. After all, isn’t that what family would do?

Related Practice Areas

If your accident involved:

A car
A commercial truck
A death in the family
A defective motorcycle or helmet
A denied insurance claim