The other driver’s insurance company – the motorcycle accident victim’s worst enemy

Motorcycle accident injury attorney weighs in on why you need a lawyer.

It’s interesting.

Considering the origins of the word “insure,” which since the 1600’s has been used in the English language to mean "make safe against loss by payment of premiums," according to the Online etymology Dictionary, one would assume as long as a policy’s premiums are paid, any loss would be covered without question.

One would also assume that, if a motorcycle accident is driver A’s fault, driver A’s insurance policy should cover any damages to driver B’s vehicle, his property or his person.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. In fact, the modern-day insurance claim has evolved into a game of cat-and-mouse in which highly-paid insurance representatives play with people’s property, health and well-being in order to improve their respective companies’ bottom line.

In an online article on the biker advocacy Web site whybike.com, insurance and health writer Landon Prescott spells it out.

“When accidents such as these happen, the insurance company of the driver who is at fault will go to great lengths to keep from giving the motorcycle rider the money he or she deserves. Insurance companies will frequently rush the victim to make a quick settlement as a way to save money,” Prescott writes.

“Most people in the general public are not insurance experts and do not know if they are getting a bad deal from the insurance company or not. When a check is stuck in front of them it can be quite tempting to sign.”

Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common today and really has poisoned the once-positive idea of carrying an insurance policy.

“I can almost guarantee you 100 percent that there’s not one insurance company out there that is willing to pay an accident victim what he or she truly deserves at first opportunity,” said Art Elk, founder of MotorEagles.

“That’s why; before a motorcycle accident victim even speaks to an insurance agent – whether it’s his own or the other driver’s – he absolutely needs to speak with an experienced, reputable motorcycle accident injury attorney.”

Elk said it’s all too common of a story these days: A man or a woman gets into a wreck on a motorcycle and, regardless of fault, as soon as an insurance company gets wind of it, a smooth-talking, seemingly world-wise insurance adjuster is throwing figures from NADA books around and offering to cut a quick check “to get the matter handled quickly.”

But under the guise of concern for his client, the adjuster’s prime concern is saving his company as much money as possible, even though the offer on the table is likely grossly inadequate to cover the victim’s property damage, injuries, any lost wages, pain and suffering.

“It really is a sad state of affairs that the insurance industry’s profits have outweighed people in the eyes of modern-day insurance giants,” Elk said.
“I’ve seen some pretty bad motorcycle accident cases in my time and, let me tell you, odds are the guy on the bike is going to face a long road to recovery, if he can fully recover at all. Now, what price would you put on a life-altering injury or, God forbid, a loss of life?”

Elk added that, even if one thinks his accident injury claim is small potatoes, it’s imperative that he contact a licensed, reputable accident injury attorney to at the very least explain his rights to him.

“After all,” Elk said. “No one’s going to look out for your rights for you, but it sure helps to have a good injury lawyer in your corner to help you pick up the pieces and get your life back on track after a motorcycle accident injury.”