Does Insurance Cover Motorcycle Accidents in Pennsylvania?

On This Page

1. Both Drivers and Riders Must Have Insurance in Pennsylvania
2. What Happens If Insurance Does Not Fully Cover the Cost of a Motorcycle Accident?
3. Losses That an Insurance Settlement or Verdict May Cover After a Motorcycle Accident in Pennsylvania
4. Call Berger and Green Today for Your Free Consultation. Find Out How a PA Motorcycle Accident Attorney Will Serve You.

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Yes, insurance typically covers motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania. However, there can be complications that affect insurance coverage, including the possibility that an at-fault motorist is uninsured at the time of the collision. 

dentifying liable parties, proving fault, and securing fair coverage can be much more challenging. A Pittsburgh motorcycle accident lawyer will handle every aspect of the claims process so you can avoid stress and focus on recovery.

Both Drivers and Riders Must Have Insurance in Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires both motor vehicle drivers and motorcycle riders tocarry liability insurance coverage. This means that:

• If you were in an accident, all parties involved in the collision should be insured.
• It’s worth examining both your own insurance policy and the other motorist’s insurance policy.
• If the at-fault driver was not insured, they’ve broken the law

Because of the law requiring insurance coverage for both riders and motor vehicle operators, insurers will likely be involved in your case. 

Minimum Insurance Requirements for Riders and Motor Vehicle Owners in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania law generally requires both motorcycle and motor vehicle owners to maintain a minimum of:

• $5,000 to cover property damage 
• $15,000 in liability insurance to cover injury or death to one person
• $30,000 in liability insurance to cover the injury or death of two or more people

Motorcycle riders are not covered by first-party benefits insurance (i.e., medical coverage), so you must prove negligence and liability to recover compensation.

Allow a Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorney to explain your insurance options, propose a strategy, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

What Happens If Insurance Does Not Fully Cover the Cost of a Motorcycle Accident?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the average comprehensive cost of motorcycle accidents exceeds $107,000. This figure far exceeds the minimum insurance coverage requirements. So, what will you do if the cost of your accident is greater than the provided insurance coverage?

Your lawyer will:

Evaluate All Available Insurance Coverage

Your attorney will evaluate every insurance policy that could cover your losses, possibly including:

• Another involved driver’s policy
• Policies held by any other liable party (such as a trucking company’s policy in the case that a truck driver hits a rider)

Even the finest print within these policies could be relevant, and details like coverage limits are crucial. Our motorcycle accident lawyers frequently interpret auto and motorcycle insurance policies, so we are natural candidates to analyze policies on your behalf.

Determine a Value for Your Damages and Explore Limits on All Applicable Policies

When determining if insurance covers your accident-related losses, it’s important to know the financial value of those losses. Your attorney will compare the value of your losses to coverage limits provided by insurance policies.

Seek Fair Settlements from Liable Insurers

Our team will demand a fair settlement and negotiate with the involved insurance company(s) to get you an award that covers your losses. To do so, we will do the following:

• Prove that the at-fault policyholder caused the collision
• Cite policy details that establish the insurance company’s liability for the rider’s losses
• Present detailed documentation of the rider’s losses
• Make oral arguments that tie together each of these case elements
• Refute any arguments insurance representatives make against the claim

Spare You from Any Bad-Faith Insurance Tactics

One barrier to a fair insurance settlement is the use of bad-faith tactics. These are strategies that insurance companies use in attempts to reduce their financial losses, and those strategies can include:

• Blaming the rider for causing the accident
• Downplaying the rider’s injuries or trauma
• Claiming that applicable policies do not cover certain losses
• Offering a lowball settlement 
• Delaying the resolution of a claim to apply pressure to the claimant

These are all tactics our attorneys protect riders from. 

Protect You Against Bias

Many people and insurers believe that motorcycle riders are inherently reckless and, due to their choices, accepted the possibility of injury. Others believe that due to this perceived recklessness, they must have caused the accident. We will protect you against any bias that could affect your ability to recover compensation. 

Sue Liable Parties (If That’s the Right Strategy for Your Case)

When at-fault drivers are uninsured, or insurance companies simply won’t offer a fair settlement, the rider and their attorney may sue. We prepare each of our cases for trial, enabling us to move forward efficiently with any necessary lawsuit.

Losses That an Insurance Settlement or Verdict May Cover After a Motorcycle Accident in Pennsylvania

An insurance settlement related to a motorcycle accident might cover:

• Motorcycle repairs
• Replacement of a totaled motorcycle
• Lost income
• Other professional damages, such as diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Medical expenses
• Certain other economic or non-economic damages

These same types of damages can be covered in verdicts achieved by going to trial. Each rider faces unique challenges, and having an experienced attorney document your damages can ensure you’re seeking fair compensation for your damages.

Call Berger and Green Today for Your Free Consultation. Find Out How a PA Motorcycle Accident Attorney Will Serve You.

Berger and Green has earned the respect and gratitude of countless former clients. Our attorneys have consistently delivered significant results, with three of them securing seven-figure verdicts or settlements. Trust the Name You Know, as Berger and Green’s reputation is well-known throughout the state of Pennsylvania.

Call Berger and Green today for your free consultation about working with a motorcycle accident attorney. Our intake team is ready to speak with you, and we want to hear your story. There may be a strict filing deadline for your case, so do not wait to reach out to us.