After a severe motorcycle crash, your priority is to ensure that you receive the medical care you need. Once you are stable and have been released by the paramedics or hospital, you may be unsure of your next steps. It is a good idea to reach out to your insurance company to notify them of the wreck. Your insurer can then open a claim, potentially with the insurance company of the other people involved in the accident.
If you have questions about insurance for Hampton motorcycle accidents, seek legal counsel. At Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, our experienced attorneys could answer your questions and serve as a point of contact with the insurance company. Before speaking to any adjusters, it is best to get a dedicated legal ally on your side to advocate for your interests.
If property damage repairs need to be done, you will need to notify the insurance companies so that they can start that process. However, an injured biker should never give a recorded statement to an insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. Insurance companies are notorious for asking misleading questions during these recorded statements that they will try to use against the victim.
Even if an injured motorcyclist thinks they have an open and shut case, the insurance company will try to twist their words around. It is okay to notify the insurance company of the wreck and open a property damage claim. Still, an injured motorcyclist should contact an attorney before speaking about their injuries or giving a recorded statement.
It is always a good idea for motorcyclists to have their own insurance with coverage limits as high as they can afford. This will protect them from irresponsible drivers without insurance. However, if an injured biker does not have insurance, that does not necessarily mean there is no insurance coverage available for them to make a claim. The other driver hopefully would have insurance that would cover any claim. Even if the motorcyclist does not have insurance, they should still contact a Hampton attorney.
The insurance laws in Virginia require drivers without insurance to pay a fine to the DMV. However, this does not provide them with insurance, which is not mandatory in Virginia. In the state, every policy issued provides underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage, which means the insured is protected up to their policy limits even if the other driver is irresponsible and has no insurance.
Another drawback of not having insurance is that a person is responsible for any injuries they cause through negligence. If a person does not have insurance, someone could take them to court and hold them personally liable for damages. As such, our seasoned Hampton lawyers recommend that all motorists, including motorcyclists, have insurance.
At Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, we have an in-house insurance negotiator who is a former insurance adjuster. He does a comprehensive insurance coverage investigation for every accident to look for any policies that may apply. For instance, even if a biker does not have their own insurance policy, they may live with someone or have a relative who has insurance that might provide their coverage under Virginia law.
It is always advisable to reach out to a local attorney who could assess the coverage situation and answer any questions about insurance for Hampton motorcycle accidents. To learn your rights and get the legal guidance you need, call Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers today.
Call (757) 333-3333 to request a free consultation