Every summer, thousands of riders take to New Hampshire’s beautiful roads. The views are extraordinary, but the risk of collision and injury can’t be ignored. When a crash involves a driver or biker who carries little or no insurance, the financial fallout can be just as devastating as the physical injuries. Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) are key to ensuring that you land on your feet after an emergency.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident with an uninsured motorist, consult with experienced New Hampshire personal injury lawyers to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Call the New Hampshire Personal Injury lawyers at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. at 603-619-4225 or contact us online for a free consultation. We represent clients throughout the state, from Colebrook to Nashua.
No Mandated Automobile Insurance in New Hampshire
Most people are surprised to learn that New Hampshire does not require drivers to carry automobile insurance. That means any car that suddenly pulls in front of your bike on Route 16 might be operating without liability coverage.
For motorcyclists, who are especially vulnerable on the road, this creates an extra risk. Motorcyclists account for 14.6% of all traffic fatalities nationally, even though they make up only about 3% of all registered vehicles. New Hampshire averages 22 fatal motorcycle accidents per year, with scores more bikers seriously injured.
Each crash that involves a driver without adequate coverage leaves injured riders scrambling for a way to pay medical bills, replace lost income, and put their lives back together–all while recovering from injuries.
What UM/UIM Coverage Does
Uninsured motorist coverage pays you for injuries and damages when an uninsured motorist hits and injures you. Underinsured motorist coverage pays for your injuries when the at-fault motorist has insurance, but your policy’s limit is not high enough to fully compensate you for all the damages you suffered. In practical terms, this means your own insurance policy steps in when the person who hurt you cannot cover your losses.
Such coverage can be invaluable after a serious crash. Health insurance can help pay for medical bills directly related to your accident, but it can’t help you recover wages lost while you are incapacitated, expenses for repairing or replacing your bike, costs of adding accessibility accommodations to your home, physical therapy, or the many other expenses that might arise after a crash.
UM/UIM coverage is specifically designed to address financial issues of this nature.
For example, let’s say you get into an accident after a driver who only has $25,000 in liability insurance runs a stop sign. You land in the hospital and rack up $80,000 in medical bills. The other driver’s insurer pays its $25,000 limit. Your UIM policy will then cover the gap up to your own coverage limits. But since insurance is optional in New Hampshire, the driver who hits you may have no coverage at all. That means your own UM/UIM policy, if you have one, is the only source of compensation available.
Note also that you can only collect up to your own UM/UIM limit. In New Hampshire, that amount equals your bodily injury liability limit. The state minimum is $25,000 per person, which can be exhausted quickly after a serious crash. Buying higher UM/UIM limits is one of the most cost-effective decisions any rider can make.
Hit-and-Run Crashes and UM Insurance
Unfortunately, not every driver sticks around after a crash. Hit-and-run accidents are among the most frustrating scenarios an injured motorcyclist can face, because there is no identifiable defendant to pursue. Fortunately, New Hampshire’s UM coverage statute covers hit-and-run vehicles as well as uninsured drivers.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
UM/UIM claims sound straightforward on paper, but they can be tricky to execute. Filing a claim can involve layers of confusing procedural requirements and sneaky insurer tactics that can trip up an unrepresented rider.
The skilled personal injury attorneys of Tenn And Tenn know how to value your claim fully, and make sure that not only current medical bills are factored in, but also future treatment costs, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and any other compensation owed. Many injured bikers accept far less than they deserve simply because they do not know what to ask for.
Our attorneys can also serve as a go-between for you and the insurance company. Adjusters are trained to gather information that limits payouts, and any statements you’ve made without legal guidance that can be used against you later. We can handle all communication and ensure the consent-to-settle process is followed correctly. If the insurer disputes the claim or acts in bad faith, we can pursue litigation or arbitration on your behalf.
Call Tenn And Tenn, P.A., Today
Recovering from your injuries while trudging through the frustrating process of seeking compensation is a stressful process. Let us handle it for you. Tenn And Tenn’s personal injury lawyers represent clients throughout New Hampshire, including Andover, Goffstown, and Windham, and beyond. Contact us today at 888-332-5855 or online for your free evaluation. Let us fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve.
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