Were you involved in a motorcycle accident? Check out these 3 motorcycle accident tips for guidance, then call our Hamburg lawyers today.
Understanding Motorcycle Accident Injury Cases
If you are injured on a motorcycle in Buffalo, keep several things in mind. Number one is that the no-fault law in New York State does not apply. Most of the time, you’ll be on the hook for your own medical bills – unless you purchase specific coverage through your own insurance to cover your bike. We always encourage our clients who ride motorcycles – or who are frequent passengers on motorcycles – to make sure that they and their family members have adequate coverage in case of an accident. Needless to say, you should always wear a helmet, and get on a bike only with someone who’s safe, knows how to operate the bike, and follows the rules of the road. Keep those things in mind if you ride a motorcycle in Buffalo.
Strict deadlines apply with respect to obtaining benefits pursuant to no-fault. When someone suffers motorcycle accident injuries, it is especially important to consult with an experienced attorney for this reason. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact one of our experienced Hamburg injury attorneys to schedule a free consultation. Our trial team is aggressive and determined when it comes to making our clients whole.
Motorcycle Accident Insurance Investigation
After a motorcycle accident, many times you’ll see insurance companies for the vehicle that may have hit the motorcycle reach out to you. My hard advice is not to talk to them, especially until you’ve talked to a lawyer. You have to understand that the insurance company for the other vehicle does not have your best interest at heart. Insurance companies make money by not paying out claims, and not paying money to people that may have been injured, so whatever you say to them early on may be locked in and used against you for the rest of your case. Before you go talking to an insurance company, you should be talking to a lawyer first. Many times, these insurance carriers want to offer what’s called a quick settlement – “Here, here’s a few thousand dollars.” – and some people are desperate because they don’t have medical insurance, they’re out of work because of their injuries, and they take a small settlement, and then they’ve extinguished their rights going forward with a claim. Our best advice is not to speak with the insurance carrier. If you do, you want to be there with a lawyer so the lawyer can kind of control the conversation and make sure that they’re not delving into areas they shouldn’t.
Having Proper Insurance Coverage for a Motorcycle Injury Claim
The most important thing to know, whether you are an owner of a motorcycle or someone who is anticipating buying a motorcycle, is that when you are in an accident and you are on a motorcycle, you do not ordinarily have no-fault coverage. This means that if you are injured, your medical bills are not covered by the insurance that you are carrying on your motorcycle. You will either have to pay out of pocket or use your private health insurance to treat the injuries that you have sustained in the accident. You can purchase specific coverage on your motorcycle liability policy that provides you with no-fault coverage. Usually for a minimal fee, you can add this coverage onto your policy. Ask either your insurance agent or your insurance broker about purchasing that additional coverage, but remember that you will not have that to fall back on if you are operating a motorcycle and are involved in an accident.
Having the proper motorcycle accident insurance coverage is extremely important to ensure your medical bills for your injuries are covered. If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, contact Chiacchia & Fleming to schedule a free case review with one of experienced Hamburg motorcycle accident lawyers. Our trial team is aggressive and determined when it comes to making our clients whole.
Were you or a loved one seriously injured in a crash and have questions about these 3 motorcycle accident tips? Contact one of our Hamburg motorcycle accident lawyers at Chiacchia and Fleming today for a free confidential consultation and case evaluation. Let our experience work for you.
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