Insurance Is Important in Case of a Motorcycle and Scooter Accidents
Around 25% of motorcycle and scooter riders have no insurance. It is critical that you have insurance on your bike (this applies to motor driven vehicles only. Bicyclists are not required to carry liability insurance). If you don’t and you are in an accident, you may lose your license, be fined, and have your recovery reduced. Passengers are not affected by this law, only drivers.
Under Proposition 213, passed in 1996, uninsured motorists cannot recover for pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life even if an accident is not their fault. You could be rendered completely disabled by the fault of another insured motorist and you would be denied any damages other than medical bills, property damage, lost wages and other out-of-pocket economic losses.
You should not take chances. If you do not have insurance on your bike, get some immediately. In addition to basic liability coverage, professionals strongly encourage you to obtain uninsured-underinsured motorist coverage. This insurance provides you with compensation when you are injured by a driver who does not have insurance (if you are on a bicycle and hit by an uninsured motorist and have insurance on your car which includes uninsured motorist coverage you can recover for your injuries from your policy). Buy as much of this insurance as you can afford. Many people are injured through no fault of their own, only to be denied their rightful recovery since the person at fault has no insurance and the victim does not have uninsured motorist coverage. If you are hit by an uninsured motorist, then you may still be able to recover for your injuries under your own uninsured motorist coverage. This may be the only way you recover for your damages.
Contact Our Attorneys
The California motorcycle wreck lawyers and bicycle accident attorneys of the Dolan Law Firm do all work on contingency — we charge you nothing and collect no fee unless we collect damages. Please contact our attorneys today for a free case evaluation.
There are time limits that require that you act promptly to protect your rights to sue. For information on time limits, see our page on statutes of limitations.
