Four motorcyclists were injured yesteday in a  Tuscola County motorcycle accident  on two separate bikes.  Oakland County residents Cary Misenar and his passenger, Margaret Misenar, where on their Harley when a truck headed the opposite direction on M-46 crossed the center line and struck them. 

Another bike driven by Michael Newsome with passenger Becky Hutchings on also overturned while trying to avoid the accident.  Both motorcycle drivers and passengers were taken to the hospital for their injuries.

I am sorry that this accident happened and wish all four injured bikers a fast recovery.  This is a typical example of bikers being injured on Michigan highways due to negligent driving of a motorist.  The injuries suffered in these accidents are often catastrophic.

All of the injured bikers may be entitled to Michigan No-Fault Insurance Benefits for payment of medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses.  Their entitlement will depend on a number of factors, including their insurance policies and the specific facts of the accident.  They may also have claims for their injuries and pain and suffering against the negligent motorist.

As a lawyer whose firm represents clients injured in motorcycle accidents, my clients and other individuals often ask me about types of insurance they should buy for their motorcycles.  I am always happy to review someone’s insurance policy and give them my recommendation.

Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is one of the most important, but least understood, parts of any insurance package.  UIM insurance is similar to uninsured motorist insurance in that both types of policies fills in gaps left open by the failure of another person to fully insure their own negligence. 

Underinsured motorist insurance is used when a motorcyclist is involved in an accident with an insured vehicle, but the insurance coverage is minimal or insufficient to fully compensate the injured motorcyclist for injuries sustained in the accident.  As with uninsured motorist coverage, the injured motorcyclist files a claim with his or her own insurance company to make up for the other driver’s shortfall.

For example, in Michigan, many drivers only have $20,000 minimum in insurance coverage, which is the minimum amount required by law.  Suppose a motorcyclist was involved in an accident with someone who has only $20,000 in coverage and that unfortunately, the motorcyclist’s medical bills alone cost over $45,000 and the motorcyclist had to miss work for 6 months while undergoing rehabilitation and physical therapy. Without UIM coverage, that motorcyclist could only receive up to $20,000 in compensation for his or her injuries and would have to bear the additional cost of the injuries without any help.  But if the motorcyclist had purchased a UIM policy for $500,000, then he or she could claim the difference between their UIM policy’s limit and the amount that was covered by the other driver’s insurance.  In this example, that would be up to an extra $480,000.

Underinsured motorist coverage is very inexpensive and, as this example shows, is an extremely important part of an insurance package.  I always recommend that people purchase a very large amount of UIM insurance since some policies offer $500,000 of coverage for around $80 per year and since there are so many drivers with only the bare minimum level of insurance.  If your insurance company does not offer Underinsured Motorists coverage, I strongly suggest that you change to a company that offers UIM insurance.  This is often the difference between a fair settlement or a minimal settlement.

Every biker in Michigan should request and read our FREE Michigan Motorcycle Insurance Report before getting on his or her bike.  It is important to buy the proper insurance coverage before you get into an accident.  Once you are in accident, you are stuck with what you were sold, even if you thought you were getting the best coverage at the time.

For more information about Michigan traffic accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan personal injury 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.