Most people do not think twice about getting on their bike without insurance. After all, you are a safe rider and do your best to ensure everyone around you remains safe. But, you cannot control how other drivers act. What can you do if you get into a motorcycle accident without insurance? How will you pay for your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering? How do you pay for the other driver’s if he suffered injuries?
As you have probably already figured out, this is a messy situation. However, you do have options for recovering the compensation you need.
What If I Was At-Fault in the Accident and Lacked Insurance?
If you were at-fault for the collision, you will likely need to pay for your own damages out of pocket. Even if you escape with minor injuries and minor bike damage, you will likely need to pay out of pocket for any property damage or injuries the other driver sustained.
If you find yourself in this situation, speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer right away. Do not admit fault, even if you think you caused the collision, and never speak with the other person’s insurer without an attorney.
The other person’s insurer will do anything it can to pin liability on you. This might involve using underhanded tactics to trick you into admitting fault or claiming that you are exaggerating your injuries.
And because I spent much of my career as an insurance adjuster, I know the tricks insurers use. More importantly, I know how to defend against them.
There are several ways to potentially reduce your liability. Depending on the evidence, my team and I can call into question your liability or perhaps identify additional responsible parties, such as the vehicle manufacturer or those charged with maintaining the roads or traffic signals.
In some cases, we might be able to prove you were not at-fault at all. For example, many people who are rear-ended after slamming on the brakes to avoid a hazard in the road might think they caused the accident. However, the person behind you could have avoided hitting you if he had maintained a safe following distance, making him liable for the accident.
Do I Have Any Other Options for Paying for My Own Damages if I Was At-Fault?
Motorcycle accidents are often catastrophic and can be prohibitively expensive to pay for out of pocket. Depending on your circumstances, you might be able to pay using health insurance; however, you must check your policy to ensure it does not exclude accident injuries from coverage.
If you cannot use your health insurance to cover your injury costs, my team and I can work with your doctors on payment plans to pay off your bills.
There is one more option that might apply: if you live with a family member who purchased MedPay coverage, you might be able to use her coverage to pay for part of your injuries.
What If I Lacked Insurance but Was Not At-Fault?
If you were not at-fault for your accident, being uninsured does not make you unable to recover compensation.
That is because the liable party and its insurance company are financially responsible for your damages, regardless of your insurance coverage situation. My team and I can pursue the responsible party and the insurance company for damages, including:
- Current and future medical bills
- Bike repair or replacement
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
What If the Other Driver Lacked Insurance?
If both you and the other driver lacked insurance, you will need to pursue compensation from the driver directly. This means you will need to file a lawsuit against the driver.
Depending on the other driver’s financial situation, we may be able to recover compensation for any of the damages listed in the section above. My team and I will determine whether this is a good option for you.
Will I Face Penalties for Riding Without Insurance?
If you get in any type of motor vehicle accident — even one that is not your fault — you could face legal consequences for driving without insurance. This is because the state of Georgia requires all drivers who operate vehicles on public roads, including motorcyclists, to carry a minimum level of insurance coverage.
Driving without insurance is a misdemeanor in Georgia, and its penalties include fines and loss of license.
It is important to note, however, that riding without insurance does not mean you cannot recover compensation.
Call to Speak to a Compassionate Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
Have you spoken with a lawyer about your right to recover compensation after a motorcycle accident? The sooner you do, the better able you are to protect your rights.
Call S. Burke Law today for a free consultation. Our focus is protecting the rights of accident victims and winning compensation for our clients. We can put our knowledge and resources to work for you. Call our office today for an appointment: 404-842-7838.