 
| Motorcycle Lawyer | News and Views on the Motorcycle and the Law by Michael Padway | |
|
| | August 01, 2008 | | Dealing with Tragedy | I recently went through the tragedy of a motorcycle accident, but not as a lawyer.
A member of the group I was riding with had a major accident. After undergoing surgery, he died.
On the one hand, it is impossible not to play "what if" by speculating on all of the things that might have made a difference. On the other hand, none of that matters anymore.
Will I ride again? Yes. I finished the ride we were on, albeit with a heavy heart and many thoughts about the rider that went down.
Will it change the way I ride? Again, yes. Anyone who does what I do for a living is very aware of riding safety, but this event certainly put me ever more in touch with the fact that a few moments are all it takes.
At the end of the day, there isn't anything that really helps. Hopefully, this memory will become less prominent with time, and less painful. Nothing will undo it, or make it go away.
All that I can really do going forward is to re-double my efforts to help injured riders and hope that by doing so I am making those in cars more aware of motorcycle riders.
And please, if you are reading this, wear protective gear. If you think it is too hot, please think again.
| | |
| | July 11, 2008 | | Allstate, AAA, Geico ORderd to Reduce Rates | Anyone with a motorcycle accident case knows that the insurance companies won't make a reasonable settlement offer, at least until you hire a lawyer, file suit, and put it to them.
With rare exception, the insurance company holds on to the money for as long as they can. In the meantime, you are stuck with your bills and wage loss from not working. They invest what they owe you, and make money on it.
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poisner is to be applauded for taking the bull by the horns. He ordered Allstate to cut insurance rates by 15.9 percent, a reduction that will save policyholders 250 million dollars.
He didn't stop there. AAA (CSAA) was ordered to make a 100 million dollar rate reduction, and GEICO was ordered to cut rates by 65.8 million dollars.
That's a lot of overcharging by these three companies, alone.
Motorcyclists have really been victimized by the insurance companies, not only because of the delays in payment of claims, but also as consumers.
It is common for motorcyclists to be encouraged to waive uninsured motorist coverage. This important insurance protects riders who are hit by uninsured and underinsured drivers. As the economy gets tighter, this seems to be more of a problem. Estimates are that 25% of California drivers have no insurance. Additionally, many more have minimal coverage.
| | |
|
|
| | Monthly Archives |  | August, 2008 | | July, 2008 | | June, 2008 | | May, 2008 | | April, 2008 | | March, 2008 | | February, 2008 | | January, 2008 | | December, 2007 | | November, 2007 | | October, 2007 | | September, 2007 | | August, 2007 | | July, 2007 | | May, 2007 | | April, 2007 | | February, 2007 | | January, 2007 | | October, 2006 | | September, 2006 | | August, 2006 | | July, 2006 | | June, 2006 | | May, 2006 | | April, 2006 | | March, 2006 | | February, 2006 | | January, 2006 | | December, 2005 | | November, 2005 |
|
