Alaska Can Be a Dangerous Place to Ride Motorcycles – Protect Yourself!

Alaska Motorcycle Accidents and Insurance Issues

Alaska has its fair share of motorcycle accidents. The short riding season contributes to the danger. Left over sand and gravel from winter road maintenance frequently contributes to motor cycle accidents, but, the real hazard to motorcycle riders is not being seen. Defensive driving can help you avoid an accident, but sometimes whether you are in an accident or not, comes down to dumb luck!

If you run out of luck, and are in a serious collision you and your family will be faced with significant medical bills, lost earnings while you are recovering or worse yet if you are permanently impairment or killed. No one likes to think about these possibilities, but from my experience as a motorcycle accident attorney, I can tell you the "possibilities" can become "reality" in the blink of an eye.

Plan Your Insurance

Med Pay Coverage

What is the best way to protect yourself, other than to stop riding? "Plan". "Plan" for the "possibility" that your luck will run out. Specifically, take out as much insurance as you can afford. In Alaska you should ask your agent for "med pay coverage" and "UM/UIM" coverage to go along with the liability coverage you are required by law to have.

Med pay coverage will pay medical bills up to the limit of your coverage. Get enough coverage to pay for a several day stay in the hospital if you can find and afford the coverage. Shop around.

Uninsured Motorist

"UM/UIM" coverage stands for "under insured motorist and uninsured motorist" coverage. This coverage only comes into play if you are hit by a motorist who has no liability coverage or has only the $50,000 minimum limits insurance. Most motorist in Alaska who are insured only have the $50,000 in liability coverage required by law. This is a drop in the bucket, if they cause serious injury or death to a motorcyclist. By purchasing UM/UIM coverage, you can protect yourself from the effects of being hurt by a driver without liability coverage or with inadequate coverage. And, UM/UIM coverage is "relatively" inexpensive insurance.

Get Ready in Case of an Insurance Claim

Another part of the "plan" to protect yourself, is to know what to do if you are in an accident. If you are able, get the names, telephone number and other contact information of witnesses. Don’t just think the police will take care of that. I can’t count the number of cases where witness identity was lost. Have pictures taken of the accident scene, the wreckage and your injuries. If you are seriously injured, promptly call for help from an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.

Talk to an Attorney

Why call an attorney? An experienced injury lawyer, knowledgeable about dealing with motorcycle accidents, can help you deal with challenges you and your family will be facing. He will talk with the insurance company for you, help you figure out who will pay the medical bills, give you guidance on how to pay your bills while you are out of work, explain the legal process of pursing a claim for negligence and track down evidence before it is lost or destroyed. He will know what issues are unique to motorcycle accidents and how do deal with them.

So, if you are "planning" how to protect yourself and your family, in the event you are seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident, visit my website or just include my name and phone number in your plans; Elliott T. Dennis, (907) 929-4890. Let’s hope you don’t need to call, but if you do, you will be prepared.