Georgia law requires everyone with a vehicle registered in the state to buy liability insurance, including motorcycle owners. The minimum coverage amounts are $25,000 for injuries to one person, $50,000 for injuries to two or more people in the same crash, and $25,000 in property damage coverage.
While you should know Georgia’s insurance requirements and follow the law, it’s also crucial to understand how insurance works in a motorcycle crash. To learn more and discuss how motorcycle accident insurance could be a source of compensation in your case, contact us today at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C.
We are a law firm that has served clients in Douglasville and throughout Georgia for over 30 years. We have built our reputation by treating clients with respect and working tirelessly to pursue results. We can provide a free consultation about your motorcycle accident case and explain your rights and options.
What Is Bodily Injury Insurance?
Bodily injury liability coverage pays for injuries a motorcycle rider causes in a crash. This coverage protects the motorcycle rider from paying out of pocket for someone else’s medical bills or other losses.
In Georgia, a liability insurance policy applies different coverage amounts depending on the number of people injured in a collision. Separate limits apply for injuries to one person and injuries to multiple people in the same collision. These limits help insurance companies stay solvent by limiting their financial exposure when crashes involve multiple injured people.
However, your liability coverage does not cover your injuries. So, if you cause a crash, you will have to pay for your lost income, medical expenses, and other accident-related losses. You can purchase medical payments coverage or other insurance to offset some of these expenses. This coverage is optional in Georgia.
If you were riding a motorcycle and another driver caused a crash that injured you, you can file a claim with their insurance company. You can seek payment of your medical expenses and some lost wages through their liability coverage. However, you must prove the other driver caused the crash before the insurance company will pay your motorcycle accident claim.
A Georgia motorcycle accident attorney at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., can review the crash report, eyewitness accounts, photos from the scene, and other evidence to show how someone else caused your injuries.
What Is Property Damage Insurance?
Property damage liability coverage pays for vehicle damage or other property damage the policyholder causes in a crash. Like bodily injury coverage, this coverage does not cover damage to the policyholder’s vehicle.
Drivers who want financial protection in case of damage to their vehicle can purchase comprehensive or collision coverage. Collision coverage covers damage to your car in a crash, regardless of who caused it. You will likely owe a deductible if you caused the accident.
Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle from damage that doesn’t result from a crash. For example, if a tree branch falls on your car and breaks your windshield, your insurer would likely cover the cost (minus your deductible) if you have comprehensive coverage.
Lastly, some insurance companies offer vehicle replacement coverage as an add-on for auto insurance policies. Vehicle replacement coverage gives you extra money if the damage to your vehicle is so severe that the cost of repairs outweighs the vehicle’s value. (That’s what it means when a car is “totaled” — the cost of repairs is greater than the total value of the vehicle.)
Insurance companies typically pay only what it costs to repair a vehicle or give you a check equal to the car’s value at the time of the crash. With vehicle replacement coverage, your insurer will provide sufficient money to buy a car similar to the one you lost in the crash.
Does Georgia Require Motorcycle Operators to Carry Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Some states require drivers and motorcycle riders to buy uninsured motorist coverage. Georgia is not one of those states. Insurers must offer uninsured motorist coverage, but you can choose not to buy it.
Uninsured motorist coverage is a worthwhile add-on if you can afford it. It pays for your injuries and other losses if the other driver in a collision doesn’t have insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage also applies in hit-and-run accidents, as insurers treat hit-and-runs as accidents with an uninsured driver.
Am I Required to Carry Proof of Insurance When Riding My Motorcycle?
Yes, you must carry proof of insurance when you ride a motorcycle. You could face fines or other penalties if the police catch you without it.
Some insurers have smartphone apps that let you generate an electronic version of your insurance card if the police or another driver asks you for it. The police usually accept these electronic cards. Still, as a motorcycle rider in Georgia, the best thing to do is to have a physical copy with you whenever you ride.
Is It Illegal in Georgia to Operate a Motorcycle Without Insurance?
Riding a motorcycle without liability insurance is against Georgia law. It’s also risky because you might be personally liable for any injuries you cause in a crash. A motorcycle accident can easily lead to thousands of dollars in medical bills and lost income. In case something happens, you want to have financial protection.
What Happens If the Person Who Hit Me Did Not Have Insurance?
If an uninsured driver hits you, your best option is to file an uninsured motorist claim with your insurer (assuming you have this coverage). Your insurance company will pay for the damage to your motorcycle and other losses up to your policy limits.
Georgia law says uninsured motorist coverage must meet the same standards as the state’s liability insurance requirements. So, if you purchased uninsured motorist coverage, you must have at least $25,000 in coverage.
Suppose you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage. In that case, you can work with a motorcycle accident lawyer to file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver and go after any assets they have. However, many people are uninsured because they cannot afford insurance. If that is the case with the driver who injured you, they likely don’t have assets you can claim.
Another option is to look for another party who contributed to the crash and file a motorcycle accident lawsuit against them. For example, if a vehicle defect played a role in the crash, you might have a claim against the manufacturer.
Contact a Georgia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., has over 85 years of combined experience and knows all the details of Georgia’s motorcycle insurance requirements. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for our clients. We use our knowledge and experience to help you evaluate all your options for pursuing compensation after a motorcycle crash. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
