While a motorcyclist can wear protective equipment, obey traffic laws, and drive defensively, a motorcyclist’s safety ultimately lies in the hands of other drivers. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that other vehicles are most commonly at fault for motorcycle accidents.
Damages and injuries in motorcycle accidents are frequent, with the NHTSA reporting that 80% of all motorcycle accidents result in injury or death.
Bikers are 35 times more likely to be seriously injured or killed in a crash than occupants in a car. It is important that all car drivers have good insurance to pay for a motorcyclist’s injuries when at fault for a crash.
However, it is frightening that 1 in every 7 drivers does not have car insurance! If you are in an accident caused by one of these drivers, they will not cover any damage or medical costs. Moreover, many drivers only have the minimum requirement for insurance, leaving the rest of the bill to be paid for by the victim.
Because of the severity of motorcycle accidents, it is vital that all motorcyclists carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
What is uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) and underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) protect the victim of an accident in the scenario of which the faulty driver does not have or does not have enough insurance to cover damage costs.
UM and UIM insurance only applies when:
- You are in an accident with another vehicle and the other vehicle is at fault
- The other driver does not have insurance or enough insurance to cover all damage costs
UM and UIM insurance covers bodily damages and property damage
Why do motorcyclists need UM and UIM coverage?
In my 40 Years of experience, some of the worst injuries I’ve received are from motorcycle accidents. The injuries are often permanently debilitating, and the victim should be receiving a half million dollars for injuries and life changes. But the driver at fault usually doesn’t have enough insurance to cover all the costs, and if the motorcyclist doesn’t have a good UM/UIM policy, he or she can’t get the compensation deserved.
If you ride a motorcycle, I highly recommend carrying higher limits on your UM and UIM coverage. Motorcycle accidents can result in highly expensive injuries, such as brain and spinal cord injuries, and amputation. You do not want to be stuck paying your own medical costs that were another driver’s fault.
Call your insurance agency immediately if you do not have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. If, God forbid, you are in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have adequate insurance, a good UIM policy will make sure your medical costs are covered.
If you or a loved one was injured or killed by a negligent driver, contact my offices immediately.
As your Ohio motorcycle accident attorney, I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For over four decades, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus, Dayton and neighboring communities. You can reach Tim by email at misnylaw.com/ask-tim-a-question/ or call at 877.944.4373.