Matt’s Monthly Minute

Motorcycles can be fun to drive and might be more maneuverable in some instances than a car or truck. Most will agree however that motorcycles have the potential to be more dangerous than cars or trucks and that the risk of a severe or deadly injury is much higher for a motorcyclist than for others.

According to the most recent statistics from the CDC, in 2019 more than 5,000 motorcyclists were killed and an estimated 84,000 motorcyclists were injured. Other statistics revealed that in 2019:

· The highest death rates were among 25-29 year-olds.

· Motorcyclists accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities and 17 percent of all occupant (driver and passenger) fatalities.

· In States without universal helmet laws, 57 percent of motorcyclists killed were not wearing helmets, as compared to 9 percent in States with universal helmet laws.

· Forty-two percent of motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes were alcohol-impaired.

With more people in the United States riding motorcycles today than ever before, motorcyclist deaths and injuries are an important public health concern. With these concerns in mind, the CDC recommends:

· Always wear a DOT-approved helmet.

· Never ride your motorcycle after drinking. Alcohol greatly impairs your ability to safely operate a motorcycle. If you have been drinking, get a ride home or call a taxi.

· Don’t let friends ride impaired. Take their keys away.

· Wear protective clothing that provides some level of injury protection. Upper body clothing should also include bright colors or reflective materials so that other motorists can more easily see you.

· Avoid tailgating.

· Maintain a safe speed and exercise caution when traveling over slippery surfaces or gravel.

Even when motorcyclists follow all of the safety rules and are hyper-vigilant while driving, motorcycle wrecks still occur. Insurance companies recognize this increased risk for motorcyclists and have done a good job lobbying legislators to get laws passed which protect the insurers from a lot of claims arising from motorcycle wrecks. These laws make insurance companies more profitable but to the detriment of motorcyclists.

From an insurance standpoint, the primary difference for motorcyclists is that most states do not require insurance companies to provide PIP coverage for motorcycles. As a result of this law, the people who need PIP insurance the most usually do not have PIP insurance. With this law in mind, if you are a motorcyclist you should talk to your insurance agent or a lawyer about the coverage you have and the coverage you need. While many states do not require insurance companies to have PIP insurance on motorcycle policies, most insurance companies still offer PIP coverage as an option. This PIP insurance is a really good investment since it pays initial medical bills and lost wages in the event of a wreck.

People who own motorcycles often get low limits for their liability coverage, usually because their insurance agents suggest that motorcycles usually do not cause much damage to other vehicles in a wreck. This is a bad idea for the motorcyclist for a number of reasons. First, a passenger on your motorcycle may have a liability claim against you if you did something wrong to cause or contribute to a wreck, and the passenger has the same potential for a severe injury as does the driver. Second, uninsured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) motorist insurance limits are usually equal to your liability limits. If you are seriously injured by someone else who does not have sufficient insurance, then you will want high UM and UIM limits.

The cost of motorcycle insurance is typically much lower than the cost of insurance on a car or truck, so we always recommend to our clients that they use that savings to get higher liability, UM, UIM and PIP coverages on their motorcycles.

Passengers on motorcycles face different issues. First, if the passenger is not also the owner of the motorcycle, and if the passenger owns a vehicle with PIP coverage, then the passenger will have a PIP claim against her own insurer. Alternatively, if the passenger does not own a vehicle then she may have a PIP claim against the insurer for the motorcycle if the policy has PIP coverage.

If you or a loved one have been in a motorcycle accident, call us today. We're here to discuss your options and ensure you have the coverage and protection you need so you and your family's future are protected.

- Matthew L. Bretz