What If a Driver’s Insurance Won’t Fully Cover My Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

 Posted on July 27, 2026 in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents often result in very serious injuries for the biker. These injuries may mean substantial, possibly long-term, medical bills. Additionally, many multi-vehicle accidents involving motorcycles are at least partly the fault of another driver. Because of a motorcycle’s smaller size, other drivers may fail to see it. This is particularly common when drivers are turning left through an intersection or merging into another lane.  

In some cases, the driver who caused the wreck may not have enough liability insurance to pay for all the motorcyclist’s damages. However, there may be other options for recovering damages.

If you've been hurt in a motorcycle accident in 2026, a Lake County personal injury attorney can walk you through these options.

Is There a Minimum Amount of Insurance Every Driver Must Have in Illinois?

Illinois law sets minimum liability insurance requirements for every driver on the road. Per 625 ILCS 5/7-203, drivers must carry at least $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and $50,000 per accident involving more than one person. They must also have a minimum of $20,000 for property damage.

What Is Illinois’ Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

An insurance minimum of $25,000 is a good start. In practice, however, this amount may fall far short of the cost of emergency treatment, surgeries, and rehabilitative care. This is where your own insurance policy may come into play. Illinois requires underinsured motorist coverage when a policy has uninsured motorist coverage above the minimum limits required by law. This coverage may provide more money for bodily injuries when the at-fault driver’s liability limits are lower than your underinsured motorist limits.

Are There Any Other Options for Recovering Full Compensation?

If you win a judgment against the other driver, you may be able to collect from their non-exempt assets. However, the driver must have assets that can legally be used to pay the judgment.

What Steps Should I Take If the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Isn’t Enough to Cover My Motorcycle Injuries?

If you've already been told the at-fault driver's policy won't cover your injuries, take the following steps.

Gather your records

Keep records of the accident scene, copies of medical bills, repair estimates, and documentation of lost wages. Also keep a record of how the accident has affected your quality of life. These records help establish what the crash has cost you.

Review your own policy

Look into whether you have underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, or other add-ons that could apply. If you have other coverage, you typically need to notify your insurer promptly after the accident to preserve the claim.

Checking your policy declarations page or calling your insurance agent can tell you whether you carry this coverage and how much you have. Many riders don't realize what their policy includes until they need it.

Consider all sources of recovery

In some cases, more than one insurance policy may apply, such as coverage through a household member's auto policy. An attorney can help identify every possible avenue for compensation.

Insurance companies will sometimes offer fast payouts after accidents. These payouts may seem reasonable at first, but you should take the time to verify that such a payout is actually representative of your damages. Once you accept it, you usually can't ask for more money later, even if your injuries turn out to be worse than expected. If you may have an underinsured motorist claim, notify your own insurer before accepting a settlement. Settling without following your policy’s notice rules could cause you to lose your right to these benefits.

Call a Lake Zurich, IL Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

Dealing with insurance after a motorcycle accident is often stressful, and even more so when it seems you’ll be left with substantial costs. Our Lake County, IL personal injury lawyers can help you be confident that you’ve explored all possible avenues of compensation after your accident.

Salvi Law, Inc. is a father-and-daughter team local to Illinois and brings over 25 years of combined personal injury law experience to personal injury cases. We're prepared to help you look at every option available under your policy and Illinois law.

Call us today at 847-796-8448 to set up your free consultation.