If you are a motorcyclist in Minnesota you must review your insurance policy. In particular you need to review your UIM (Underinsured Motorist ) coverage.

UIM is the coverage you buy to protect yourself over and above the coverage of the at-fault party. For example, if you are injured by a car in Minnesota which carries the state minimum limits of $30,000 in liability. If your injuries, medical bills, and wage loss are beyond that coverage, you would turn to your UIM for additional protection.

In Minnesota, UIM is not a mandatory coverage on motorcycles . On cars it is. The difference is that for cars the UIM is always a add on coverage. You add your UIM amount to the coverage of the at fault driver. But, on a motorcycle that is not always the case.

There are some companies selling difference of the limits UIM coverage for motorcycles. That means you can only receive the amount of UIM coverage you purchased, after the amount that the other party pays is deducted. Using our example from above: the other party pays $30,000, you have $30,000 in UIM. You receive $0 in additional coverage. If you had $50,000, in UIM, you would really have $20,000. Therefore, you are not getting the coverage you paid the premium for. Make sure you check you policy before it becomes important.

So to be safe-

• Check every one of your coverages.
• Make sure you have UIM and No Fault .
  
• Make sure you are getting what you paid for with the coverages.

If you still have questions, give us a call and we can look at your policy and make sure you are protected.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Our Michigan motorycle accident lawyers recently settled a claim for a Michigan biker who suffered significant injuries in an Oscoda motorcycle accident.  The 62 year old biker was strike by a negligent motorist and suffered serious injuries, inlcuding a fractured pelvis, fractured ribs, and fractures to his right leg and left arm that required surgery.  He has still not recovered from his injuries from the motorcycle accident that happened on September 16, 2008.

The negligent motorist had an insurance policy with liability  limits of $100,000 and his insurance company paid the entire policy for the settlement.   Our client did not have a underinsurance motorists coverage on his own policy and these were the total limits available for this motorcycle accident.  His medical, wage loss, and other benefits were paid by the negligent driver’s Michigan No-Fault Insurance company. 

Our Michigan motorcycle accident lawyers recently settled a case for client who was struck while riding his motorcycle in Sterling Heights, Michigan.  A negligent motorist took a wide right turn and hit our client at a low speed, estimated between 15 to 20 miles per hour.  The biker suffered a fracture of his wrist which required surgeries and had a sprained knee that required a scope procedure.  He is a Chrysler metal model maker and missed time from work.

The negligent motorist had an insurance policy with $100,000 in liability limits and our client had an underinsurance policy with $50,000 in limits.  This made the total insurance policy limits available of $150,000.  The case settled for $142,500 of the $150,000 policy.

The settlement does not include the Michigan No-Fault Benefits received by our client during his period of medical treatment and recovery.  We compelled his own insurance company to pay his lost wages, medical expenses, and other necessary benefits.  The $142,500 was compensation for his pain and suffering, disability, and other non-economic benefits.

Motorcycle accident cases in Michigan have different requirements and benefits than ordinary motor vehicle accident cases in our state.  The No-Fault Insurance laws present difficult and complex issues in these cases and it is necessary to choose and experienced Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer to handle such a case.  For more information on motorcycle accident cases in Michigan, you should request our FREE BOOK, “The Ultimate Michigan Motorcycle Accident Handbook,” and call our lawyers to discuss your case.

A Muskegon County motorcycle accident resulted in injuries for the motorcyclist.  The accident occurred on April 4, 2009 at Holton and East River roads in Dalton Township when a car approached the intersection and drove out in front of the motorcycle.  The motorcyclist was conscious and was wearing a helmet, but it appears he may have suffered a broken leg.

I am very sorry this accident happened.  I hope that this man is able to recover fully from his injuries.

When a motorcycle is involved in an accident with a car or truck, the Michigan No Fault Act applies.  Because of this, the motorcyclist is able to make a claim for No Fault benefits through his car insurance, which normally provides more comprehensive benefits than the insurance people have on their motorcycles.  For example, No Fault benefits include lifetime medical expenses, which will be entirely paid for by the insurance company as long as they are for reasonable and necessary medical expenses arising out of the accident.

No Fault benefits also provide other benefits, including wage loss benefits, household replacement service benefits, and attendant care benefits.  An experienced Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer can help explain the ins and outs of the No Fault process and can file a lawsuit against the insurance company if it refuses to pay the benefits that are owed to the injured motorcyclist.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan motorcycle accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Motorcycle Accident Handbook” by visiting our law firm web site.  We will send it along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan motorcycle accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan Motorcycle accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

The number of fatal Michigan motorcycle accidents is on the increase compared to 2007.  According to numbers released from the Office of Highway Safety Planning, motorcyclists are more likely to be in a fatal motor vehicle accident than almost any other type of driver.  Unfortunately, however, these accidents accidents are often caused by drivers of cars, trucks, and SUVs who fail to notice or look out for motorcycles while they are driving.

The increase in fatal motorcycle accidents is even more alarming because it bucks the trend of an overal decrease in the number of fatal traffic accidents.  Car accidents were down 10% overall, while the number of accidents involving property damage or personal injury also declined.  Because of this, it is important that every motorcyclist be extra cautious when driving in heavy traffic, since it is clear drivers of other vehicles do not pay attention to motorcycles.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan motorcycle accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Motorcycle Accident Handbook” by visiting our law firm web site.  We will send it along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan motorcycle accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan Motorcycle accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.