When a victim is injured in a motor vehicle accident in St. Clair County and elsewhere, that person is entitled to compensation for any injuries caused by the negligence of another. And when the individual who caused the accident does not have appropriate insurance, the victim may claim uninsured motorist insurance from their own insurance policy. That appears to be the case for two victims of a motorcycle accident, and now the insurer that paid the uninsured motorist claims is now seeking reimbursement from the negligent party.
The two victims were riding a motorcycle in October 2009 while they were driving west on Salem Place in Fairview Heights. As the man and woman on the motorcycle approached, the driver of another vehicle, going east, reportedly turned left and crashed into the motorcycle. Both victims on the cycle received $100,000 in compensation from State Farm in uninsured motorist claims. The insurance company also paid for property damage to the bike costing more than $16,000.
Having paid the motorcyclists’ claims, the insurance company is now seeking reimbursement from the driver of the second vehicle. In the suit filed on Sept. 15 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, the company is asking for more than $216,000 in damages plus court costs. If the driver is found to have caused the motorcycle crash, she may be ordered by the court to pay the expenses incurred by the insurance company.
Most important here is that the suit was filed almost two years after the motorcycle accident occurred, but the victims of the crash fortunately did not have to wait that long. Others in their position have often found it helpful to seek out experienced legal counsel to ensure that the appropriate monetary compensation is received as soon as possible. When a traumatic event occurs resulting in personal injury, there can be much comfort in being aware of all the available options.
Source: Madison/St. Clair Record, “State Farm seeks reimbursement in motorcycle crash claim,” Andrea Dearden, Oct. 10, 2011