The rules for motorcycle accidents are the same as the financial responsibility rules with passenger cars in California. If you own or ride a motorcycle, you must have motorcycle insurance. Your automobile insurance DOESN’T cover your motorcycle.
If you have been in a collision accident while riding your motorcycle, you may be wondering how your motorcycle insurance will work after a crash. Here is important information about your legal rights. It is usually a good idea to have a personal injury attorney help you get what you deserve from the insurance company and the at-fault driver.
When you only have minimum coverage
In the state of California, you must carry a small liability insurance coverage to pay for physical injuries to others and their property, if you are at fault in an accident. However, this minimum coverage does not pay for your –
- medical bills,
- pain and suffering,
- disfigurement and/or disability
- damage to your property
If you want your insurance company to pay for the above-mentioned things that minimum coverage does not include, you need to buy additional coverage. Here are some examples –
- “Medical payments” coverage can help to pay for medical bills in case of an injury
- “Uninsured motorist” coverage can help to pay for your losses if the driver at-fault did not have insurance
- “Underinsured motorist” can help to pay for your losses if the other driver was at fault and their liability insurance is less than your claim amount.
When losses are more than insurance coverage
The at-fault driver is legally responsible for the full amount of the losses, even if their insurance is not enough to cover the claims from the accident. In such situations, the injured party has the following options –
- File a claim against the injured person’s motorist coverage from his own motor vehicle liability insurance policy, if they have this coverage.
- Submit some medical bills to their own “medical payments” add-on coverage.
- Pursue the at-fault person for the losses the insurance company does not pay, by filing a lawsuit. If the injured party wins the case, they can go after the at-fault party for the awarded amount.
Since every case is unique, you may have more options which your attorney can help you understand and claim.
Claims in California
In California, if a person is in a crash involving more than $750 in property damage, or if anyone is injured, the accident must be reported, regardless of the seriousness of the injuries. The motor vehicle insurance company must be notified right after the incident, even if you were not at-fault in the collision.
The insurance companies of the drivers will assign claims adjusters to look into the claims. The other party’s adjuster will contact you for information. Your personal injury attorney can help you protect your right to fair compensation.
If you wish to consult an experienced personal injury or motorcycle or auto accident lawyer in Beverly Hills or Sherman Oaks, CA, schedule a consultation with the law office of Eduard Braun in California, at 877-533-4LAW.
