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A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You Get the Compensation You Need
While traditional auto insurance may provide some coverage in the event of a motor vehicle crash, it won’t cover the costs of a motorcycle accident. The amount of compensation a claimant can seek is often significantly more than the policy limits. The damages can include physical discomfort and pain, emotional anguish, inconvenience, and lost enjoyment of life. A motorcycle accident lawyer in St. Louis can help you determine whether you are eligible for monetary damages for these types of damages.
Injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident can exceed the maximum value of traditional auto insurance
Motorcycle owners can opt for personal injury protection insurance. Similar to medical payments coverage, this policy covers a wide range of costs. While not mandatory, it is often a smart idea to have UM/UIM coverage. This coverage pays for injuries to riders and damages to their bikes in the event of an accident. It is particularly important for new bikes, as their value drops considerably after leaving the dealership.
While injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident can exceed the amount of your traditional auto insurance policy, you should always carry adequate liability coverage. Typical motorcycle insurance policies have limits for bodily injury and property damage. The limits are usually listed with slashes between them. The limit for a single accident is usually $25,000, $50,000, or $10,000. Depending on the coverage amount, these amounts could easily exceed the maximum value of traditional auto insurance.
If you were riding without a helmet or speeding, a court may assign a portion of the liability to you
If the other party was at fault for the accident, a court may assign a portion to you. The extent of fault will affect the amount of compensation you will receive. If you were not wearing a helmet, a court may assign a part of the liability to you. You must present medical evidence to support your case. The court will look at how much you should have been wearing a helmet.
If you were riding without a helmet, or the other party was speeding, a court will assign a portion of the liability to you. You must prove you have insurance before you can get a judgment. Otherwise, your license and registration will be suspended until you file proof of insurance. You must also be willing to accept the responsibility of others.
If you were clearly at fault, your insurance company might work directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance company
The first step after an accident is to write a letter to the insurance company and explain what you expect. Include costs such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, rental cars, etc. – and make sure that you have the names of the insurance company representatives on hand. After the accident, follow up with the insurance company to see how your claim can be handled.
Another option is to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver’s insurance firm. Depending on the type of injuries you sustained, a lawsuit might result in more damages than a claim for a small amount. You should consider whether to pay the deductible in favor of the time and hassle of filing a lawsuit. If the at-fault driver’s insurance company won’t negotiate, you may need to sue them directly.
