For many motorcycle enthusiasts, riding is more than just transportation; it’s a lifestyle and a true passion. Unfortunately, riding a motorcycle comes with significant risks. The aspects that draw people to motorcycles—freedom, excitement, and adventure—also make them vulnerable to severe injuries and even death. Motorcyclists have little protection in crashes compared to car drivers, lacking seatbelts, airbags, bumpers, and crumple zones.
Even though cautious motorcyclists wear protective gear like helmets and body armor, no amount of safety equipment can protect a rider from a head-on collision with a 5,000-pound SUV at 80 km/hr. Even a minor accident can result in critical injuries for a motorcyclist, while the driver of the other vehicle might only sustain minor damage to their bumper.
As motorcycle accident lawyers at Car Accident Attorneys Near Me, we have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of motorcycle injuries on our clients and their families. These injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic injuries, vascular injuries, and fatalities. Many of these injuries were unavoidable, as our clients were riding their motorcycles properly and within speed limits when another vehicle crossed the center line or turned directly into their lane.
While a motorcycle accident may be unavoidable, being prepared is essential. Motorcyclists can protect themselves and their families in the event of a serious injury by having adequate motor vehicle insurance. Specifically, motorcyclists should consider the following insurance coverages:
Enhanced Motor Vehicle Liability Limits
It’s not widely known that Ontario motor vehicle insurance policies protect you not only if you injure someone but also if you or your family are injured. Given that most motorists in Ontario have liability limits of only $1,000,000, having excess insurance is a wise way to protect yourself in the event of a crash. For example, if the driver who injures you has only $1,000,000 in insurance and that amount is insufficient to cover your serious injuries, you can claim against your own insurance policy for the shortfall if you have a higher limit.
Carrying a higher insurance limit ensures you are protected up to that amount, regardless of how much insurance the other driver has. The cost to increase your limit beyond the standard $1,000,000 is minimal and well worth the additional premium.
Optional Accident Benefits
Ontario motor vehicle insurance policies also include standard accident benefits coverage, which covers medical benefits, rehabilitation benefits, attendant care benefits, and income replacement benefits. Standard policies provide medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care coverage up to $65,000 over five years, whichever comes first. While this may seem sufficient, standard accident benefits coverage is often inadequate in the event of a serious motorcycle accident.
Therefore, motorcycle owners should consider purchasing optional accident benefits for added protection. Motorcyclists can buy enhanced medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care coverage of $1,000,000 over their lifetime and $2,000,000 in the event of a catastrophic injury. For more information on accident benefits, please refer to our post “Statutory Accident (SABS) Benefits – Making Sense of it All.”
At Car Accident Attorneys Near Me, our lawyers are experienced in handling serious personal injury cases, including motorcycle accidents, car accidents, bicycle accidents, medical malpractice, statutory accident benefits (SABS) claims, long-term disability claims (LTD claims), slip-and-fall claims, and wrongful death claims in Toronto and throughout Ontario. If you or a loved one has suffered serious personal injuries due to someone else’s negligence, please contact us, and we would be pleased to assist you.
We hope you never need us, but if you do, we are here to help.
