Some people in Georgia treat motorcycles as their primary form of transportation and ride whenever the weather permits. Others only get their motorcycles out in the warmest months for recreational purposes.
Whether someone rides year-round or only seasonally, they will need to make their physical safety a top priority every time they head out on the street. Motorcycle collisions often lead to tragic results, as bigger four-wheeled vehicles can cause debilitating or fatal injuries for those on a motorcycle.
Because these accidents can be serious – and even catastrophic – in nature, those involved in a crash often require emergency medical care and time off of work. These are some of the financial protections that may be available for those hurt in a motorcycle crash in Georgia.
Liability insurance coverage
Every driver in Georgia, including motorcyclists, needs to carry liability insurance. The state requires a minimum of $25,000 in property damage coverage and variable amounts of bodily injury coverage depending on the number of people hurt.
If a crash injures one person, a policy must provide at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage. The minimum for collisions where two or more people suffer injuries or die is just $50,000. Motorcyclists have to carry the same basic amounts of coverage that other drivers have.
The at-fault driver can provide basic coverage, and sometimes the driver not to blame will have additional coverage that can help. Underinsured motorist protection could increase how much insurance is available to replace someone’s wages and cover their medical treatment expenses.
Especially when an injury will have lasting implications for someone’s medical support needs or job performance, insurance may not be enough.
Personal injury lawsuits can help cover costs
When a driver doesn’t carry enough insurance and then causes a major crash, they may face a lawsuit from the people affected by the collision. Whenever misconduct, omissions or negligence lead to injuries and property damage expenses, the people affected by a crash potentially have the right to take the individual or business responsible for the collision to court for additional compensation based on their verifiable losses.
When someone is not to blame for a motorcycle collision, they should not have to accept personal losses because of the crash. Asserting one’s rights and pursuing appropriate compensation is often both necessary and a just course of action for those impacted by a Georgia motorcycle wreck.
