If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash by an uninsured motorist, you may be wondering if you have any good options. You should talk to an attorney who specializes in motorcycle crashes to determine what you can do.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Your own insurance company may be required to provide coverage for your injuries and your damages. If you have uninsured and under insured motorist coverage, it should provide coverage when the other party doesn’t carry enough. However, you may need to talk with an attorney to determine what your insurance company can be required to provide.
Not all states require uninsured motorist coverage, and even where it’s required not all drivers and motorcyclists carry an adequate amount. If you have been fortunate enough to not be in an accident so far, review this coverage with your insurance agent to make sure it’s adequate for replacement of your motorcycle, equipment, and of course potential medical bills.
Litigation
Insurance provides a recourse in most situations, but where insurance coverage is not provided or is not adequate, the motorist who injured you is still liable. An attorney with experience in litigation can explore your options with you. In states with no-fault laws on the books, each party is responsible for his or her own damages regardless of who is at fault, so your options may be more limited in these cases. But you should always consult an attorney, because the laws in these cases are complex and don’t always apply to motorcyclists.
What to Do If You’re in an Accident
Whenever you’re involved in an accident, it’s important to remember not to make statements to the police, medical personnel, the other party or bystanders which may be used against you later. It’s easy to be confused about what exactly did take place, especially if you’ve been badly injured or disoriented by a motorcycle crash. Even if the other party was at fault, your comments can be used to attempt to limit their liability. They can claim that you contributed to the accident by your negligence. This can be true even if you were mistaken or confused about the circumstances. It’s best to focus on receiving treatment and not discuss the accident at all on the scene.
Especially in relatively minor accidents, the other motorist may try to talk you out of calling the police or getting medical attention. It’s important to get a police report filed promptly if you’re involved in an accident, because the damage to your motorcycle or even your personal injuries may be much worse than they appear at first.
Source: Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Indianapolis, IN, Ward & Ward Law Firm