If you were fully or partially responsible for causing an accident with a motorcycle, a claim could cause your car insurance premium to go up. The number of claims you have filed in the past could also affect your insurance rates. You do not have to deal with the accident’s aftermath alone. If the motorcyclist was at fault and insured, an Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you pursue damages without filing a claim with your insurer.
A lawyer in your area can also explain how a motorcycle accident can affect your car insurance. They can also review the circumstances of your accident at no cost. If the accident was caused by the motorcyclist’s negligence, they can help you recover its costs from their insurer. This may help you avoid a possible rate increase from your own insurance provider.
Your Car Insurance Rates Could Increase After a Motorcycle Accident
After an accident, your insurance rates can rise if you are forced to make a claim. If the other involved party was responsible for the accident, your claim should go through their insurance. You may have to make a claim with your own insurer if:
- The motorcycle driver was uninsured
- The motorcycle driver was underinsured
- The motorcycle driver fled the scene
In addition to your legal team, an insurance adjuster will assess your claim to determine negligence and fault. Hiring a lawyer after an accident can protect your rights. They will review and weigh evidence, including:
- Police report
- Medical records
- Accident scene photos
- Witness statements
- Accident reconstruction
- Expert testimonials
While you can refute fault for the accident and its impact on your car insurance on your own, there are benefits to working with a local attorney. They can help you prove the negligence that caused the accident. That means proving duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.
Factors That Determine Your Car Insurance Rate After a Motorcycle Accident
Car insurance rates can go up—or down—based on a number of factors. Your claims history is only one of those reasons. How many claims you previously made and the amount your insurer had to pay out on them can lead to a re-evaluation of your premium.
Additional factors that affect car insurance rates can include:
- Tickets and your driving history
- Changes to your credit score
- How and how often you drive
- Your car’s age, make, and model
- Adding or removing insured drivers
- Crime rate statistics in your area
- Inflation and qualifying discounts
Whether or not you were at fault for the accident can also be a primary factor in a rate increase. After a motorcycle accident, it is important to accurately determine and assign fault and financial liability. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you do so.
For a free legal consultation, call 404-214-2001
A Lawyer Help You Recover the Costs of a Motorcycle Accident
Just as registered vehicle owners are required to have insurance, so are registered motorcyclists in Georgia. After an accident, your lawyer can help you file an insurance claim. They will:
- Prove the cause of the accident
- Complete and file insurance claim forms
- Communicate with the insurance adjuster
- Build a comprehensive evidence-collection
- Locate and interview lay and expert witnesses
- Clarify legal and insurance language
Your lawyer can consult experts who can reconstruct the accident and prove its cause. They will also review the appropriate insurance policy in detail and negotiate a favorable monetary settlement on your behalf.
Contact a Law Firm Sooner Rather Than Later After a Motorcycle Accident
All potential car and motorcycle accident lawsuits must be filed in time to meet the state’s statute of limitations. In general, that means complying with O.C.G.A § 9-3-33, which generally gives you two years to file your lawsuit.
Your legal team can help you understand the filing deadline. Getting them involved in your case early gives them sufficient time to investigate. It also means witnesses can be interviewed while their memories are vivid.
If the filing deadline expires, not only will you be unable to file your lawsuit, but the insurance company could refuse further negotiations. A lawyer can help you conduct a comprehensive investigation and prove which driver bears fault for the accident.
Car and Motorcycle Insurance Requirements in Georgia
Insurance is an important part of responsible vehicle or motorcycle ownership. In accordance with Georgia’s Department of Revenue (DOR) data, vehicle owners are required to carry minimal insurance in the following amounts:
- $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person
- $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident
- $25,000 property damage coverage per accident
Similarly, motorcycle owners are required to carry the same minimal insurance coverage. Insurance demonstrates financial responsibility in the event of an accident with optional uninsured (UM) or underinsured (UIM) coverage. This coverage will protect you in case of a hit-and-run accident.
You Can Dispute a Car Insurance Increase After a Motorcycle Accident
The most effective way to dispute a rate increase is to prove the accident was the other party’s fault. Your insurance provider can explain all the factors that led to an increase. They can also explain any steps you can take to maintain your current insurance rate. Finally, you can shop around for lower rates after an unexpected increase or one you feel was unwarranted.
Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33 allows you to recover damages as long as less than half of the fault is attributed to you. A lawyer will explain how fault is determined.
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Get Help Understanding How a Motorcycle Accident Affects Your Car Insurance
If you or someone you love was involved in a recent vehicle versus motorcycle collision, you need to understand how a motorcycle accident will affect your car insurance. Depending on the circumstances, your insurance premiums could go up. At Kaine Law, we can help you understand your insurance and financial recovery options.
Learn more about recovering from an accident by contacting our evaluation team to get a free review of your case today.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
