In honor of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, let’s talk about how important it is for riders to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Motorcyclists are far more likely to suffer severe injuries in a crash than occupants of enclosed vehicles because motorcycles lack the protective structure, crumple zones, and safety restraints found in cars. Unfortunately, serious injuries can lead to expensive medical bills and lost wages due to time off of work recovering. In some cases, permanent disability and/or care expenses may apply.
In a perfect world, every driver would carry car insurance with coverage limits high enough to fully cover the damages they cause in an accident, but that isn’t always the reality. UM/UIM acts as a vital financial safety net against uninsured and underinsured drivers by covering high medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering when another driver’s insurance is insufficient.
If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle crash by a driver who fled the scene, didn’t have insurance at all, or was only carrying the minimum bodily injury policy, an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help. Make the call for help recovering the maximum settlement.
Rate of Uninsured Drivers in Washington State
Drivers in Washington state are legally required to have auto insurance but unfortunately many choose not to. In fact, the Insurance Research Council’s most recent statistics show that over 21 percent of Washingtonians are driving uninsured, making our state the fifth highest for uninsured motorists.
Unfortunately, even amongst drivers who have insurance, their policy may not be enough to cover all damages in an accident they cause. In Washington State, the minimum insurance policy required is only $25,000 for bodily injury per claim (one person) and $50,000 for bodily injury per accident (total for all persons). Of course, the severity of accidents and injuries varies, but medical bills often add up quickly. Surgery alone can cost tens of thousands of dollars without including an emergency room visit and the cost of rehabilitation aftercare.
How To Protect Yourself Against Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists
You can do everything right, practice safe driving and maintain insurance coverage, but if you’re in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured (driver with minimum coverage) driver then you could get stuck paying out of pocket for a portion of your medical bills and other damages.
To protect yourself, it is important to choose an insurance plan that includes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This additional coverage acts as a safety net in the event of a serious accident with an irresponsible driver.
What is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage pays for your damages when you’re injured in an accident caused by a driver who has no motor vehicle insurance or a driver who flees the scene (hit-and-run accident.)
Underinsured motorist coverage helps pay for your damages when you’re injured in an accident caused by a driver whose bodily injury liability limits are too low to fully cover your losses.
Why UM/UIM Coverage is Crucial for Motorcyclists:
- Higher risk of severe injuries. Motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in a crash than passenger car occupants and five times more likely to be injured. Minor collisions often lead to major injuries and high medical expenses.
- Other driver’s liability. Many accidents occur because a driver did not see the motorcyclist, which causes the driver to turn in front of the motorcyclist or switch lanes improperly. UM/UIM ensures you can pay for these injuries even if you are not at fault.
- Coverage for damages. Beyond injuries, this insurance helps pay for repairs to your bike, which can be significant, or for a total loss.
Seek the Help of a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced motorcycle accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! Since 1979, our personal injury law firm, Tario & Associates, P.S., has been dedicated to fighting for the rights of people injured throughout Washington State, with local offices in Bellingham and Mount Vernon to serve residents of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
