In the State of Florida, there are more than 586,000 active motorcycle registrations. Motorcycle riders account for more than 15 percent of annual vehicle fatalities and close to five percent of all annual vehicle injuries. The costs of these fatalities and injuries can be very high.
On average, the costs associated with a fatal motorcycle accident are $1.2 million. The costs associated with non-fatal motorcycle accidents can total between $2,500 and $1.4 million, depending upon the extent of rider injury. Many of the costs associated with motorcycle accident injuries involve the payment of medical bills, including emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and medication.
Victims of motorcycle accidents may have multiple sources they can turn to in order to receive coverage for medical bills following motorcycle accidents. Florida is a no fault insurance state, which means insurance policies purchased by drivers include $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) benefits that can cover motorcycle accident medical bills.
According to Florida Statute 627.736, personal injury protection coverage extends to the named insured, relatives in the same household, and persons in or operating insured vehicles. PIP coverage extends to motorcycle accidents and the PIP policy covers 80 percent of medically necessary treatment for accident injuries, up to the $10,000 policy limits.
PIP coverage can pay bills for x-rays, surgical care, dental care, rehabilitative services, prosthetic devices, ambulance transport, and nursing services. For PIP to provide coverage, the initial medical services arising from accident injuries must have been provided within 14 days after the motor vehicle accident.
In some cases, motorcycle accident victims can also get medical bills paid by a negligent driver who caused their collision to occur. A personal injury claim could be filed by victims and if the claim is successful, the driver’s liability insurer, if any, would provide coverage for losses.