Getting into a frightening motorcycle accident will leave you to worry over any potential injuries and later, the enormous costs of medical care for your recovery. In California, you’ll also have another responsibility in the days after your crash.
Under certain circumstances, you’ll be required to alert the proper state authorities about what happened.
Reporting a Motorcycle Accident in California
When you are involved in a motorcycle accident that totals at least $750 in property damage to one person, including yourself, or if anyone is injured, even slightly, a report must be filed with the California DMV.
You, your insurance agent, or a legal representative must file with the DMV because the California Highway Patrol or the Police will not do this for you.
You must make this report within 10 days on the Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR1) form. The SR1 is also available on the DMV website at www.dmv.ca.gov and at any DMV field office or CHP office.
The California DMV Motorcycle Handbook details the requirements further. Failure to comply with this vehicle code can result in a driver’s license suspension.
Alerting Your Insurance Agent After a Motorcycle Accident
You should also alert your own insurance company after a motorcycle accident as soon as possible. Notifying your agent quickly will protect you in case you want to file a claim on your own policy or another driver files a claim against your insurance coverage.
Your insurance company representatives may wonder why they hear about an accident from another insurance firm and not from you. They could also deny coverage if they believe you waited too long to report your accident and left them unable to properly investigate the incident.
You’ll also want to have your insurance company fully prepared and informed if another driver or insurance firm decides to unfairly blame you for what happened. Your insurance company should want to defend you from accepting responsibility so they don’t have to pay settlement money to another motorist.
If you file a claim with your insurance company, a representative should contact you within a reasonable period of time after you report the loss. However, under certain circumstances, the insurance company can take up to 15 days to contact you. If you wait beyond 15 days and still haven’t heard from your representative, you should call the California Department of Insurance.
Recovering Financially After a California Motorcycle Accident…
If you or a loved one are the victims of a careless driver, you and your family shouldn’t be targeted with hospital bills and other medical costs. The at-fault driver’s insurance company must be held fully liable for the costs of recovery.
Insurance companies often fight to avoid blame for their policyholders, but a personal injury lawyer fighting for your rights can make sure they are held accountable. Your lawyer also ensures that you receive everything needed to make a full physical and financial recovery after a motorcycle accident.
Trust a California Motorcycle Accident Attorney with your case and don’t accept having to pay out-of-pocket after an accident that wasn’t your fault.
Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law, strives to earn motorcycle accident victims everything they need to heal and return to their bikes. Contact Maison Law for a free, no-obligation case consultation.
