Do I Need Motorcycle-Specific Insurance?

If you operate both a car and a motorcycle in PA, you may assume that your car insurance policy transfers to your bike. Unfortunately, you must purchase a separate policy dedicated to your motorcycle. This comes with some bad news: Due to a greater risk of injury, motorcycle policies typically have higher premiums. On the plus side, motorcycle riders involved in a crash are entitled to pain and suffering damages. This “full tort” coverage compensates them for intangible losses that impact their quality of life and close relationships.

Although no price can be placed on the suffering you have endured, recovering damages can help ease the impact of your accident. If you or a loved one has fallen victim to a motorcycle crash, the Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorneys at HGSK Injury Lawyers are available to assist in filing your claim.

Mandatory Motorcycle Insurance in Pennsylvania

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Generally, Pennsylvania auto accident claims operate under a “no-fault” system. In simple terms, a driver can recover for losses related to their injuries through their own auto insurer. The Commonwealth requires motorists to carry personal injury protection (PIP), which covers lost wages, medical expenses, and funeral costs for you and your passengers. PIP covers 60% of lost wages and 80% of your total medical bills. This coverage can be used regardless of fault. You must purchase minimum coverage of $5,000, although there is a limit of $15,000 per accident.

Liability Insurance

Anyone who operates a motor vehicle, including a motorcycle, in Pennsylvania is required to carry liability insurance. This covers you if you are at fault and another driver files a claim with your insurance. Anyone who operates a motor vehicle must carry the following liability insurance:

• $15,000 in bodily injury coverage for each person per accident;
• $30,000 in bodily injury coverage for two or more persons per accident; and
• $5,000 in property damage coverage.

“Limited Tort” versus “Full Tort” Coverage

Pennsylvania permits drivers to choose between “limited tort” and “full tort” insurance coverage. “Limited tort” coverage restricts your ability to sue the other driver, only allowing you to recover economic damages (i.e., lost wages and medical expenses). Although more expensive, drivers who carry “full tort” coverage can exit the no-fault system and sue the other driver.

While this option is generally not permitted under “limited tort” coverage, motorcyclists are automatically covered by “full tort” coverage. Under “full tort” coverage, motorcyclists can recover both economic and non-economic damages (more commonly known as “pain and suffering damages”). Since pain and suffering damages encompass your mental and emotional suffering, they are more difficult to quantify. However, a Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorney can

Advocating for Your Future

As a motorcyclist, you are trained to ride aggressively, always keeping your eye out for drivers who cut in front of you or fail to yield right-of-way. Unfortunately, it has repeatedly been shown that automobile drivers do not see motorcyclists, leaving riders vulnerable. Lacking the protection of an enclosed vehicle, motorcyclists struck by an automobile are likely to sustain catastrophic injuries, potentially leaving them immobilized.

At HGSK Injury Lawyers, we believe that advocating for the compensation rightfully owed to you involves a lot more than simply securing an award. Physically recovering from a motorcycle accident typically requires months of physical therapy, surgeries, and mobility aids to help you stay independent. In obtaining compensation, you are given much more than money: you obtain the key to your freedom. However, you must act quickly to preserve your claim and ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve.

Reach Out to Our Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

A motorcycle collision can leave you with physical, financial, and emotional hardship, taking away your self-sufficiency and ambition. At HGSK Injury Lawyers, we help motorcycle accident victims secure the financial resources they need to get well. If you or a family member has been involved in a crash, do not hesitate to speak with our Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorneys. To learn more or schedule your free consultation, our office can be reached online or by calling (267) 551-8782.