Why Motorcycle Accident Claims Are Often Delayed, Denied, or Underpaid
You were following the rules, cruising along a Maine back road, perhaps headed home or out for a ride on a clear afternoon. Then, out of nowhere, a driver turns left in front of you. There’s no time to stop. The crash sends you flying. Your motorcycle is wrecked. You’re rushed to the ER.
But the shock doesn’t end at the motorcycle accident scene. Days later, the at-fault driver’s insurance company calls. They’re polite at first. Then comes the catch: they question your story, suggest you might’ve been speeding, and offer a settlement that doesn’t even come close to covering your medical bills. Sound familiar?
If you’ve been hit and injured while riding a motorcycle in Maine, you’re not alone. Insurance companies have a long track record of treating injured riders unfairly. They don’t always come right out and say it, but their actions speak volumes. Here’s why it happens, what they do to reduce your compensation, and how a Maine motorcycle accident lawyer can protect your rights.
Why do insurance companies treat motorcyclists differently?
It starts with stereotypes. Many people still perceive motorcyclists as risk-takers. They assume you were speeding, weaving through traffic, or riding too aggressively, even if the police report says otherwise. It’s not fair, and it’s not accurate.
Motorcyclists are often the most cautious people on the road. If you're a motorcyclist, you already know that you're vulnerable and what’s at stake. You ride defensively, wear the gear, and take safety seriously. But insurance companies often ignore that. Instead, they zero in on anything they can use to blame you, even if you were hit while doing everything right.
Then there’s the money. Motorcycle accidents tend to cause serious injuries such as fractures, brain trauma, and spinal damage. These cases can cost insurance companies a lot more than a typical fender-bender. So they get defensive. They look for ways to limit what they pay, even if it means bending the truth or dragging out the process.
What tactics do insurance companies use after a motorcycle crash?
The most common move is the lowball settlement offer. After a motorcycle crash, you're in pain, maybe out of work, juggling doctor’s appointments and insurance paperwork. They count on you being overwhelmed. That’s when they swoop in with a settlement that covers a few immediate bills but ignores the long-term damage caused by the accident.
They’ll also try to record your statements. They might call and ask to hear your side of the story, but don’t fall for it. What they’re really doing is fishing for anything they can twist later. Say you “didn’t see the car coming,” and suddenly they argue you weren’t paying attention.
In more aggressive cases, insurance companies delay your claim. They stop responding, lose paperwork, or blame outside factors. Their goal is to wear you down. If they can keep you waiting long enough, you might settle just to move on, even if you’re still dealing with surgery, physical therapy, or lost wages.
Don’t forget Maine’s comparative fault rule. If they can argue you were even partly responsible for the crash (for example, 30%), they can reduce what they owe you by that amount. If they convince a jury that you were 51% or more at fault, you will receive nothing. That’s the game, and they know how to play it.
How can these tactics hurt my motorcycle accident case?
If insurance companies are successful, these tactics can cost you everything you need to get better. Let’s say you accept that early offer. Months down the line, you might need more surgery. Or maybe chronic pain keeps you from going back to your old job. If you’ve already signed off on a settlement, you’re out of luck. There’s no going back.
Even if you haven’t settled yet, any misstep can hurt your claim. Saying the wrong thing to an adjuster, posting something on social media that gets misinterpreted, or missing a deadline could all work against you. Insurance companies are counting on that. The more confusion they can create, the more leverage they can get over your claim.
For injured riders, the stakes are especially high. You don’t have a steel frame or airbags. Your injuries are typically more severe and more costly to treat. That’s why it’s important to take your time, know your rights, and make smart moves from the start.
What should I do if I’ve been injured while riding in Maine?
If you’ve been injured while riding a motorcycle, your first priority is getting medical care. Even if you think you’re okay, some motorcycle accident injuries, such as internal damage and bone fractures, might not show symptoms right away. The sooner you’re checked out, the better for your health and your claim. Insurance companies will scrutinize the timeline between the motorcycle accident and when you see a doctor. If you wait too long, they could use that against you. Seeing a doctor right away can address your injuries early on and create a record connecting your condition to your motorcycle crash.
After that, try to keep these steps in mind:
- Don’t talk to the other driver’s insurance company. You’re not required to give a statement, and it won’t help you.
- Keep a record of everything. That includes photos of the crash, your gear, your bike, medical records, and receipts. All of it can support your claim.
- Write down how the accident happened. Details fade quickly. Capture everything while it’s fresh.
- Seek legal assistance and consult with an attorney. The sooner you speak to a Maine motorcycle accident lawyer, the better chance you have of protecting your rights.
Our Maine motorcycle accident lawyers deal with the insurance companies on your behalf
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Maine, the injuries, pain, suffering, and the insurance claim can all feel overwhelming. That’s where the Maine motorcycle accident lawyers at Jabar LaLiberty, LLC come in. We’ve been standing up for injured Mainers since 1979, and we’re ready to stand up for you.
Our legal team knows how insurance companies think, and we don’t let them get away with lowball offers or blame-shifting tactics. We build strong, evidence-based cases that clearly demonstrate what happened and why you deserve full compensation. Whether it’s negotiating a fair settlement or fighting for you in court, we do what it takes to get results.
Don’t wait to get answers. Talk to a Maine motorcycle accident lawyer who listens, cares, and knows how to win. Contact us online or call our law offices in Waterville or Portland to schedule a free consultation. Let’s discuss your crash, your injuries, and how our law firm can help you move forward.
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