Motorcycle Accident FAQs

Yes. Motorcyclists have the same right to use roads as other vehicles, provided they follow traffic rules. Drivers on our roads and highways have a legal duty to watch out for other motorists on the roads, including motorcyclists. Often, other motorists do not use the legal care required to operate their vehicles around motorcycle operators safely. This leads to serious motor vehicle accidents to motorcycle operators and their passengers.

In motorcycle cases, it is very important to keep and maintain your receipts for any custom work that you have had done to your bike. Typically, in the case of “total” losses in which the cost of repairs is more than the value of the motorcycle, insurance companies will offer to pay the “book” value on your motorcycle only. This value may be less than you expect, and it may not reflect custom work you’ve done or had performed on your bike.

In order to protect yourself and obtain the maximum value possible in motorcycle property damage matters, you will need to gather all of your receipts for any special or custom work on your bike. You’ll also need to gather receipts for other items damaged in the crash, including your helmet, expensive leather jackets, clothing or other items that have been damaged in the collision.

When motorcycles collide with passenger vehicles, the motorcyclist faces greater risk for injury because the motorcycle is smaller and less protected than the passenger vehicle. Therefore, to protect yourself, we strongly recommend that you purchase several types of insurance before you put your motorcycle on the road.

First, at Kocian Law Group, our attorneys recommend that you purchase medical payment coverage. This protects you, to the extent allowed by law, by covering your medical bills when you are involved in a Connecticut motorcycle accident.

Second, because motorcyclists generally sustain serious injuries when struck by a negligent car or truck driver, our lawyers suggest that you carry the highest limits you can afford, and which are offered, by your insurance company for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, also known as “UM” coverage. “UM” coverage is extremely significant in motorcycle cases. You should purchase the best “UM” coverage that you can.