Been in a motorcycle hit-and-run? You’re not alone.
Motorcyclists experience hit and run accidents as among the most aggravating challenges they encounter. You can go from a smooth ride to being on the ground examining your injuries while the offending driver escapes fast.
What makes it even worse? The person who hit you drove away from the accident scene and now you are left with:
- Medical bills piling up
- Motorcycle damage to repair
- Lost wages from missing work
- The pain and suffering you endure when no one takes responsibility for your accident.
But here’s what many riders don’t realize…
Several legal options stand available to you following a motorcycle hit and run incident.
Taking Action After a Collision
Navigating the chaos of a motorcycle accident proves traumatic enough on its own. The incident becomes even more aggravating when the driver who hit you speeds away. But don’t lose hope – you have rights and there are experienced motorcycle accident lawyers ready to help you navigate the complex legal landscape after a hit and run.
The latest statistics show that U.S. motorcycle injuries reached an average of 81,896 cases every year throughout the past decade but decreased to 77,591 cases in 2022. The number of fatal motorcycle accidents rose by more than 25% between 2013 and 2022 when 6,165 deaths occurred in 2022.
Since motorcyclists face a death risk that exceeds passenger vehicle occupants by 22 times for each mile traveled their legal knowledge after a hit and run encounter becomes essential.
What you’ll discover:
- What Is a Motorcycle Hit and Run?
- Crucial actions motorists should take following a hit and run incident.
- Insurance options available to victims of hit and run incidents
- Explore your legal alternatives when the responsible driver does not turn themselves in.
- How an Attorney Can Help Your Case
- Compensation You May Be Entitled To
What Is a Motorcycle Hit and Run?
A motorcycle hit and run takes place when a driver hits a motorcyclist before leaving the scene without providing contact information or helping the injured rider. Every state designates this behavior as illegal since it is more than just thoughtless.
Hit and run incidents with motorcycles result in higher severity because motorcyclists typically sustain more serious injuries than car passengers.
- Motorcyclists experience greater injury severity compared to passengers in cars.
- Medical costs tend to be significantly higher
- Recovery periods are typically longer
- The process of collecting evidence becomes more difficult when the responsible party leaves the crash scene.
During 2022, speeding and alcohol consumption remained major causes of motorcycle fatalities because 37.25% of drivers were speeding while 33.52% were under the influence.
After experiencing a motorcycle hit and run you must follow specific steps right away which will help you obtain fair compensation.
Your chances of receiving fair compensation after a motorcycle hit and run increase significantly when you take immediate proper actions following the incident. Here’s what you should do:
- Your health needs to be the top priority so you should call 911 right away to get an official police report.
- Gather evidence if you’re able:
- Take photos of the accident scene
- Write down everything you can recall about the vehicle that collided with you.
- Get contact information from any witnesses
- Get medical evaluation because injuries may not show symptoms right away.
- Tell your insurance company about the accident but remember only to describe what happened without taking any blame
- Contacting a motorcycle accident attorney promptly helps protect your rights better
In 2022, motorcyclists experienced a fatality rate of 65 deaths per 100,000 registered vehicles which surpassed that of other vehicle types.
Hit and run victims can pursue various insurance coverage options even when the responsible driver is unidentified.
Your insurance coverage options remain available even if the driver responsible for your accident goes unidentified. Here’s where to look:
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
After a hit and run the primary protection you have is Uninsured Motorist Coverage. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage provides protection for hit and run cases by treating unidentified drivers as uninsured ones.
UM coverage typically helps pay for:
- Your medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Motorcycle repairs (in some policies)
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
PIP coverage becomes available to help with medical bills and other expenses if your state provides this option.
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage assists with expenses for essential services that become unmanageable due to your injury.
- Funeral expenses in worst-case scenarios
MedPay Coverage
Medical Payments coverage specifically addresses:
- Your immediate medical costs
- Deductibles from your health insurance
- Coverage regardless of who was at fault
Health Insurance
Remember your health insurance provides coverage for certain costs.
- Emergency room visits
- Hospital stays and follow-up appointments
- Physical therapy
If the person who caused the accident cannot be located your legal options will involve different approaches.
Finding the hit and run driver becomes impossible and your legal battle changes direction. Here are your primary options:
Filing an Uninsured Motorist Claim
This process requires:
- Detailed documentation of the accident
- Proof that another vehicle was involved
- Evidence that the other driver fled
- Demonstration of your injuries and damages
Potential Civil Action Against Other Parties
There are situations where liability can be shared by other parties involved.
- Government agencies responsible for unsafe road conditions
- Manufacturers of defective motorcycle parts
- Restaurants that provided alcoholic beverages to obviously drunk drivers
Victim Compensation Funds
Some states maintain specific funds to support crime victims along with individuals involved in hit and run cases. These funds deliver financial support to cover medical bills and lost wages while also paying funeral expenses and providing counseling services.
Motorcyclists face increased dangers in Texas, Hawaii, and Missouri because of fast driving speeds combined with alcohol use and expansive road systems.
How an Attorney Can Help Your Case
You can significantly enhance your possibility of receiving fair compensation by hiring a specialized motorcycle accident attorney. Here’s what they bring to the table:
Thorough Investigation
A good attorney will:
- Work with accident reconstruction experts
- Canvas for additional witnesses
- Obtain and review traffic camera footage
- A competent attorney will look for vehicle debris that helps identify the vehicle which fled the scene.
Maximum Insurance Recovery
Your lawyer will search for all applicable insurance policies and manage interactions with insurers while challenging inadequate settlement offers to obtain full coverage benefits.
Building a Compelling Case
Your lawyer retains the ability to record all damages you sustained and to collect medical evidence establishing how your injuries connect to the accident even when the perpetrator remains unknown.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
If you experienced a motorcycle hit and run accident you could qualify for multiple compensation categories.
Economic Damages
These are your quantifiable financial losses:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Motorcycle repair or replacement costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to your injuries
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages seek to compensate the human toll that your injuries have caused.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
The Road Forward: Your Next Steps
You should not attempt to deal with a motorcycle hit and run incident by yourself. The data reveals a sobering reality where motorcyclists face distinct road hazards that become more severe through hit and run events.
Remember:
- The legal system offers several ways to obtain compensation.
- Your insurance coverage includes features that may remain unknown to you.
- When you hire an experienced lawyer they will handle the complex details of your case.
- Time limitations require immediate action.