From a Motorcycle Injury Attorney
Our Clients Say It Best
The Most Important Advice
“Best choice I made is choosing VanMeveren Law Group! Karl made me feel as if my case is the only one they had. They are all amazing people who boosted my ability to keep my head held high when I just was not sure if I could anymore. He keeps in touch and didn’t miss a beat; he stayed on top of everything. Can’t say enough as to how much I truly appreciate their help and how I know I can count on them. Thank you for everything you do; the greatness your group represents means so much to me.” –Luis Gaytan
I get a lot of legal questions about motorcycle incidents, and it’s hard to answer all of them. The following pieces of advice are some of the best I can give you in newsletter format, but if you need more information, don’t hesitate to call me so we can talk further. Here are my top five pieces of advice: 1. Anyone who owns a motorcycle in Colorado should buy the absolute maximum they can afford in insurance. At minimum, you should have $250,000 UIM (underinsured motorist coverage) as part of your motorcycle
insurance policy. Why? Because motorcycle collisions are more likely to result in serious injury or death — 35 times more likely, in fact. If the at-fault driver has inadequate insurance coverage, this coverage will help with lost wages, pain and suffering, damages, and all economic and non-economic losses. If your insurance company offers additional coverage, consider adding an umbrella policy of $1 million for UIM on your motorcycle. 2. Get to know your policy, and don’t be fooled by insurance company jargon. If you don’t understand your policy, don’t be embarrassed to ask about your coverages. If your insurance agent can’t or won’t explain your coverage, switch insurance companies or call us. You are paying your insurance company for a valuable service, and you deserve to be treated with respect and have your questions answered. 3. Look at your medical bills. If you are injured in a motorcycle collision, don’t assume your medical bills are correct. In Colorado, you have a right to $5,000 in medical pay coverage, unless you waived it when you purchased your policy. This means the first $5,000 of your collision-related medical bills should be paid by your insurance company. Be on the lookout for improper billing. If you suspect improper billing or billing fraud, contact us immediately. 4. If you have lost a loved one in a fatality, please contact an experienced attorney. Sometimes the negligence of another party is obvious, and you can easily see where the fault lies. Even in those cases, there are so many aspects to consider: determining whether an estate should be created, estimating life expectancy, the value of damages, and financial support. Don’t go it alone with the insurance company. Of course, fault isn’t that clear sometimes, so it is best to seek the advice of a qualified attorney any time a fatality is involved. 5. Wear your helmet. It is illegal to ride without a helmet if you are under 18. Even if you are over 18, you should still wear a helmet. Helmets save lives, no matter how old you are.
–Leah S. Hopkins
2 • www.VanMeverenLaw.com
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