Any accident on the road that results in damage could trigger an insurance claim. The more you know about motorcycle accidents insurance claims, the better you can protect yourself against potentially being taken advantage of and ensure that you are awarded the compensation you deserve following a motorcycle accident.
How Insurance Is Designed to Work
Insurance is supposed to help you during your times of need. If you experienced significant loss, for example from a motorcycle accident, you should be able to rely on your insurance carrier to help you cover these expenses, so you are not in financial turmoil. This is exactly why you pay a deductible every month.
Unfortunately, it is in the interest of the insurance company to fight potential claims, because this can save them money. They often have entire legal teams ready to fight individual victims in order to protect corporate interests.
Insurance can also be complicated when multiple parties are involved in an accident, as there can be disputes within each entity regarding at-fault parties.
Understanding Deductibles
Deductibles are a part of virtually every insurance policy and refer to the amount of money a policyholder is responsible for paying towards damages to their insured vehicle. For example, if your deductible is $500 and you experienced a loss of $5,000, you would pay $500 towards the damage and your insurance carrier would be responsible for the remaining $4,500.
You Have Legal Options During Insurance Disputes
The bottom line is that if you were not at fault in an accident, you should be compensated by your insurance company or the insurance of a liable party for your losses that exceed your deductible. If you do not believe you are receiving what you deserve, you have the right to take legal action to pursue adequate compensation.
The Benefits of Legal Representation
Sometimes victims in motorcycle accidents, or those involved in insurance disputes choose to hire a legal professional to help file a claim. There are many ways in which hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer could be helpful:
- Lawyers can assist with paperwork and file everything in a timely manner.
- A legal team can alleviate stress by giving you a sense of structure and support in your life during this difficult time.
- Having professionals available to answer your questions during the entirety of your claim is important, especially if this is your first experience with the legal system.
- Understanding available compensation can help motorcycle accident victims plan for the future.
- If you are filing a claim against an insurance company, they are likely staffed with a team of lawyers. Having your own representation can help even things out so you have a fair shot at justice.
Legal Fees
Legal fees can be scary, but in many cases, worrying about legal fees can keep you from recovering any compensation at all. Many law firms charge by the hour, meaning if your case is complicated and requires a lot of work, your fees could be high. Certain lawyers do not charge any fees at all unless your claim is successful. If the compensation you are awarded exceeds your fees, you can still come out on top.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
One of the most important aspects of a motorcycle accident insurance claim is determining at-fault parties. This can help clear up any potential disputes between insurance companies as well. Examples of how different parties could have been responsible for causing your accident include the following:
- Drunk drivers
- Mechanical failures
- Traffic law violations
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Tailgating
- Potholes or other infrastructure negligence that put motorcyclists at risk
- Speeding
- Motorcycle passengers that are not effectively secured
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident of any kind, learning more about the motorcycle insurance claims process can only empower you to make the right decisions as you evaluate your uncertain future following this traumatic event.
How an Accident Can Change Your Life
In 2020, approximately 180,000 motorcyclists were treated in emergency rooms for injuries on the road, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you were the victim of a motorcycle accident, you could experience loss in the form of physical injuries, emotional suffering, financial difficulties, and more.
Remember that your insurance company is supposed to support you during these difficult times, not make your life harder. If you feel as though you are being treated unfairly, you could have grounds to take legal action.
Contact Us Today
If you are involved in an insurance claim dispute following an accident, remember that you have legal options to pursue the compensation that you and your loved ones deserve. Our team at Schiller & Hamilton is available to review your case during a free consultation. Contact us today before it is too late.