Getting the coverage you need For motorcycle accident injuries in New York can be complicated. In the moments after a motorcycle accident, you may be wondering what steps to take to handle it the best way If you have been in a motorcycle accident in New York City and have serious injuries that racked up medical costs for you, you naturally may be looking to file a claim against someone to get financial compensation. This can often be complicated in the state of New York due to insurance policies and other factors. If you did not previously seek out special private insurance options, sometimes it is difficult to obtain compensation or even to know what to do next. The New York motorcycle accident lawyers of Proner & Proner have a great deal of experience assisting injured motorcyclists with pursuing the correct liable party and helping them fight for financial compensation. Call us today at 212-500-1003 to schedule a free consultation about your NYC motorcycle accident case!
How Motorcyclists Can Get Medical Bill Coverage
New York state requires that most motorists have a severe injury to be able to sue for coverage of financial costs such as lost salary, pain and suffering, and medical bills. A severe injury is usually defined as “a serious fracture, loss or limitation of a body part, death of a fetus, or death of the victim.” For motorcyclists, however, the rules are much less strict.
Being on a motorcycle tends to be inherently more dangerous due to the lack of extra protection that other motor vehicles typically provide for a driver. Due to this, motorcyclists are generally allowed to sue for injuries and damages of much less severity than those suffered by a car or truck driver. This means that if liability lies with the other motorist or rider, a motorcyclist may be able to get medical coverage from the liable party’s insurance (if they have any or enough) instead of through a private insurance company.
Until the case is decided, certain costs can be covered by other parties who may request to have those payments reimbursed later if the case is won. Lost earnings are often covered through an employer via sick time or disability payment programs. Medical bills may be partially or fully covered by your health insurance.
No-Fault Insurance Coverage in New York
New York state uses “No-Fault” laws in regards to auto accidents on the road. This means that regardless of who is at fault for the motor vehicle accident, the driver’s insurance will cover medical and lost wages costs. Unfortunately, due to certain biases, the no-fault coverage in New York does not apply to motorcyclists. This leaves NY riders without the protection that other motorists can rely on.
Another thing that motorcyclists may be unaware of is that the basic required NY insurance for motorcyclists does not protect the rider when they are at fault, unless the accident specifically involves hitting a pedestrian. If a motorcycle rider in New York City wants to have real protection for motorcycle accidents and injuries, they probably have to invest money in a private insurance option that is appropriate for them.
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Motorcycle Insurance in New York
There are many different insurance policies offered by private insurance companies in New York to provide better protection to motorcyclists. It is important to note that the basic minimum required insurance does not cover any costs incurred by the motorcyclist, even if they are not the liable party. Different policies can protect a rider from a variety of situations including such things as having a passenger on your motorcycle, coverage for when the liable party is uninsured, coverage for additional equipment added to the motorcycle, etc.
The following is a list of insurance options open to New York motorcyclists:
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Liability Motorcyclist Insurance:
- Required minimum insurance policy for New York motorcyclists.
- Add Guest Passenger Liability, which offers financial coverage to a potential injured passenger on the motorbike.
- New York Motorcycle Insurance minimums are $25,000 per person injured in any one accident, $50,000 because of the death of one person in one accident, $50,000 for two or more persons injured in any one accident, and $100,000 for the deaths of two or more persons in one accident.
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Collision Coverage:
- Collision insurance covers damage to your motorcycle in an accident.
- Your insurance company pays for damages, minus your deductible, caused when you collide with another vehicle or object. Collision insurance usually covers the book value of the motorcycle at the time of the motorcycle accident.
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Comprehensive Coverage:
- Comprehensive coverage pays for damages caused by an event other than a collision, such as fire, theft, or vandalism. However, just like collision coverage, your insurance company will pay for damages, minus your deductible, and cover only the book value of the motorcycle.
- Keep in mind that most comprehensive and collision coverage will only cover the factory standard parts on your bike. You may want to add equipment coverage if other features have been added to the motorcycle.
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Uninsured Motorist Coverage:
- Uninsured motorist coverage pays for medical treatment, lost wages, and other damages if you are in a motorcycle accident with an uninsured driver.
- If your uninsured motorist coverage includes property damage, then your motorcycle would also be covered.
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Underinsured Motorist Coverage:
- Underinsured motorist coverage is similar to uninsured motorist coverage, except it applies when the other party has lower coverage limits than you do and damages exceed the other party’s limits.
Contact Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Proner & Proner
Motorcycle accident injury claims can get very complicated in New York, and victims often must move on with minimal if any compensation due to limited coverage by insurance policies. If you did not get private motorcycle insurance, this can be even more difficult. The experienced NYC motorcycle accident attorneys at Proner & Proner can look at your options and do our best to fight insurance companies to get you the compensation you need for your medical bills. Call us today at 212-500-1003 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation regarding your New York City motorcycle accident case.
