Accidents with Uninsured Motorcyclists: Your Compensation Options

Despite California's mandatory insurance laws, many motorcyclists ride without coverage: • An estimated 25% of motorcyclists are uninsured • Minimum required coverage ($15,000/$30,000) is often inadequate • Many riders carry liability only—no coverage for their own injuries When an uninsured rider causes an accident, victims face challenges collecting compensation. However, several options exist to ensure you are not left paying for someone else's negligence.

Your best protection against uninsured motorists is your own UM coverage: **What it covers**: Medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering when hit by an uninsured driver/rider. **California requirements**: Insurers must offer UM coverage equal to your liability limits. You can reject or reduce coverage, but it's not recommended. **How to file**: Report the claim to your own insurance company. Provide documentation of the accident, injuries, and the other party's lack of insurance. **Limitations**: Coverage caps at your policy limits. If your injuries exceed these limits, you'll need to pursue other options. UM claims are against your own insurer, but they will still try to minimize payment. An attorney can negotiate on your behalf.

You can sue an uninsured motorcyclist directly and pursue their personal assets: **Potential assets include:** • Bank accounts • Real estate equity • Vehicles and motorcycles • Investments and retirement accounts • Wages (garnishment) **Challenges:** • Many uninsured riders have few assets • Collecting judgments can be difficult • Some assets may be protected by law An attorney can investigate the rider's assets before filing suit to determine if personal recovery is viable.

Additional options for recovering compensation may include: **Medical payments coverage (MedPay)**: Your own policy may pay medical bills regardless of fault. **Health insurance**: Can cover medical bills while you pursue a personal injury claim. **Employer liability**: If the rider was working at the time, their employer may be liable. **Third-party liability**: Other parties may share fault—defective equipment, dangerous road conditions, or a bar that over-served the rider. **Government compensation**: California's Victim Compensation Board may help with certain expenses for crime victims.