Motorcycle accidents involving riders who don’t wear helmets are resulting in big bills in Central Florida hospitals, according to an Orlando TV station which reported the cost to treat injured riders in 2007 was $40 million. One-third of Florida motorcycle riders don’t have insurance. Many others only carry the minimum requirement of $10,000, even though the average hospital cost for a motorcycle injury is $43,000. When motorcycle riders are involved in an accident and don’t have enough insurance, taxpayers pick up the bill for their medical care.

Health care advocates support a change in the law that would require non-helmeted motorcycle riders to carry more insurance. I believe that motorcyclists should carry as much insurance as they can afford whether they wear a helmet or not. Our personal injury law firm has seen too many motorcycle accidents in Orlando where people suffer from very serious injuries due to someone else’s negligence. These serious injuries often occur even when the motorcyclist is wearing a helmet.

Unfortunately, in the Central Florida area, many drivers do not have liability insurance coverage. As a result, you must look to your own insurance company to pay for your medical bills and other damages recoverable under Florida law. You can only rely on your insurance company to compensate you if you purchased underinsured motorist insurance coverage.

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