Recovering damages after a motorcycle accident can be challenging. If the driver who caused the incident is uninsured or underinsured, the prospects for fair compensation diminish.
A Mankato uninsured/underinsured motorcycle accident lawyer at Maschka Personal Injury can enhance your chances of obtaining reasonable damages. Our motorcycle wreck attorneys can identify potentially overlooked sources of coverage to ensure you do not have to pay out of pocket for the costs of the accident.
You need personal injury protection (PIP) to register a car or truck. When registering a motorcycle, you only need proof of liability coverage. Motorcycles are not motor vehicles as defined in the state’s no-fault laws, so you do not need to buy no-fault coverage.
This can be a problem if the driver who caused or contributed to the motorcycle accident is uninsured, as our Mankato attorneys can explain. You cannot rely on their coverage to pay your expenses and compensate you for pain and suffering.
Other options may be available, but you may need help finding and accessing them. You should speak with our attorneys about your motorcycle crash. We can review the circumstances and plan a strategy to pursue compensation for your injuries.
You may have purchased PIP to cover accidents in your car or truck, but it will not cover you if you are in a motorcycle wreck, unless you specifically purchased PIP for your bike. If you bought this optional coverage, it will cover your medical care and some of your expenses.
You can also buy optional uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with your motorcycle policy. This insurance pays your expenses when the party at fault for a crash is uninsured or has policy limits that are insufficient to reimburse your damages (underinsured). If you have purchased this optional coverage, you may be able to file a claim with your insurance company to cover your expenses.
However, the insurance company may not honor your claim if it believes you were primarily at fault, even if you have purchased this optional insurance. Work with our Mankato attorneys after a motorcycle accident involving an uninsured driver to ensure you do not make any inadvertent admissions that could weaken or endanger your claim.
You may be able to bring a claim against the uninsured driver personally. The problem is that most people who do not buy car insurance have limited assets. You could win your case, but never collect compensation.
Sometimes, the uninsured or underinsured driver owns a home, business, or other assets that could be liquidated to pay a claim. Our Mankato attorneys can investigate to determine whether the uninsured driver responsible for your motorcycle accident has collectible assets. Obtaining a judgment and accessing the driver’s assets is a time-consuming and complex process, but it is possible.
We can also investigate to find other insured parties who might have contributed to the motorcycle crash. For example, if a component of your bike or the other driver’s vehicle was defective, the manufacturer could be liable for your injuries. If the other driver was intoxicated, we can investigate whether the establishment that sold them liquor could be liable under Minnesota Statutes § 340A.801, the dram shop law.
The state’s no-fault laws do not always apply to motorcycles, so getting adequate compensation to pay your medical bills and other expenses after a motorcycle wreck is not guaranteed. If the at-fault driver has no insurance, you could suffer financial hardship.
However, working with a Mankato uninsured/underinsured motorcycle accident lawyer can help. At Maschka Personal Injury, based in Mankato but serving surrounding areas, we are prepared to explore every possible source of coverage for your injuries. Reach out to our motorcycle crash team today to discuss your situation.
