Motorcycle Property Damage - Legal Rights to Compensation

A motorcycle owners feels a certain connection to his or her motorcycle. While a motorcycle is not a living, breathing being, a motorcycle owner does feel the impact from an emotional standpoint when a motorcycle is damaged as a result of a motorcycle accident. Some motorcycle owners spend countless hours working on or having others working on the motorcycle to improve the performance, operation, and look of the motorcycle. When a motorcycle is damaged as a result of a motorcycle accident, while the motorcycle may be repaired, many motorcycles just do not feel the same after a motorcycle accident. David Wolf is a motorcycle accident attorney based in Jacksonville, Florida who understands that importance of the proper and fair repair or total loss compensation for the motorcyclist. For 30 years, David Wolf has represented motorcyclists and bikers needing legal advice and legal representation in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident as well as other crashes causing personal injuries including those related to pedestrian, bicycle, truck, and automobile accidents.

While there is a certain emotional connection and affinity for the motorcycle, the State of Florida and most other states do not recognize any property damage claims beyond the total loss (if applicable), repairs, and diminished value (if applicable). In other words, a motorcycle owner cannot collect pain, suffering, mental anguish, or loss of enjoyment of life just because a motorcycle is damaged as a result of the crash; however, an injured motorcyclist can collect these damages if the associated personal injuries are serious and permanent in nature. In some instances, there is a way to get more than just the repairs of the motorcycle if there is a diminished value of the motorcycle upon future resell. You can contact motorcycle accident attorney to discuss diminished value and other legal issues that commonly arise in motorcycle accident cases.

As for the property damage or the repairs, there are generally three kinds of insurance that will pay for or cover the repairs for the damaged motorcycle

Property Damage Insurance Coverage. Every registered motor vehicle owner in the State of Florida must carry Property Damage insurance. This kind of insurance will cover damages to the other party if it can be shown that the motor vehicle owner or the permissive driver of the motor vehicle was negligent. For instance, let's say that a person is driving a SUV that makes a careless left hand turn into the path of travel of a motorcyclist. There is crash and the motorcycle is damaged. The estimated cost of the repairs is $3,000 and the motorcycle is worth about $10,000. Under this fact scenario, the repairs should be paid by the Property Damage adjuster for the at-fault driver.

Collision Insurance Coverage. In the State of Florida, Collision insurance for motor vehicle owners and motorcycle is optional. As such, many motor vehicle and motorcycle owners do not elect to have Collision insurance because the premiums are higher with this coverage in place. Most insurance agents and most Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorneys recommend that a motorcyclist obtain Collision insurance. For instance, let's say that a person driving a motor vehicle rear ends the back end of a motorcycle. The driver is issued a citation and even admits that he was at fault for the crash. Unfortunately, the driver allowed his insurance to lapse for non-payment. While the driver is technically and legally responsible for the damage to the motorcycle, it may prove to be difficult to collect the funds or money from the driver who did not have the sense or the funds to pay for his insurance premium. While it is not fair, the motorcyclist may be put into a bind about how the repairs will be paid for. Under these circumstances, it would be very helpful to have Collision insurance which will cover or pay for the damages/repairs to the motorcycle regardless of fault and regardless as to the availability of insurance for the at-fault driver.

Comprehensive Coverage. In the State of Florida Comprehensive insurance would cover repair or total loss of the motorcycle that was caused by something OTHER than an accident or crash. The covered events or incidents can include fire, theft, weather, and other incidents. It is important to read and understand the coverage language in the insurance policy when purchasing the insurance and later when trying to apply or utilize the benefits to cover the loss, damage, or repairs.

Motorcycle lawyer David Wolf offers a Free Consultation for all motorcycle accident cases. Contact David Wolf at (904) 500-9653 or dwolf@davidalanwolf.com Get D Wolf On Your Side - At Your Side.

Here are additional articles regarding motorcycle property damage.

• Assessment of Motorcycle Damage: Repairs, Diminished Value and Total Loss Claims
• Compensation for Damage to a Customized Bike/Motorcycle
• What is a Deductible for Motorcycle Property Damage Insurance Claims?
  Is there a Standard or Required Deductible?
• Property Damage to a Motorcycle
  Can Biker Collect Pain, Suffering, Mental Anguish Associated with the Damage to Motorcycle to the Biker?