Motorcycle Accidents

In last week's Star Tribune there was an article reporting a surge in motorcycle deaths on Minnesota roads this year, including five writers killed between September 12 and September 20.The primary cause of these tragedies is the failure of motorists to see the motorcyclist. We have all seen bumper stickers saying "Start Seeing Motorcycles", and it's a good idea.

In every motorcycle case I have ever seen the motorcyclist gets the worst end of the deal. That is just a fact of life when you are on a motorcycle and somebody else is cocooned safely in a car or truck. In order to protect yourself I would recommend the following:

1. Wear a good helmet.

2. Buy no-fault coverage on your motorcycle. That will protect you for up to $20,000 in medical expenses and $20,000 in wage loss. Your auto insurance typically will not cover you if you are injured while riding on a motorcycle that you own.

3. Buy underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage on your motorcycle policy. These coverages are included by law and are mandatory on your auto policy, but they are optional on your motorcycle policy. By them in as high a limit as you can afford.