Hit by an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver on Your Motorcycle in Massachusetts

You did everything right, and the driver who hit you had no insurance or nowhere near enough to cover your injuries. In Massachusetts, this happens more often than riders expect, and what you do next matters.

Why this hits motorcyclists harder

Massachusetts no-fault (PIP) benefits do not apply to motorcycles the way they do to cars. That means an injured rider usually looks to the at-fault driver's liability insurance first. When that driver is uninsured, or carries only the state minimum of 20/40/5, a serious injury can blow past those limits in a single hospital stay.

Where uninsured and underinsured coverage comes in

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage steps in when the at-fault driver has no insurance. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage steps in when they have some, but not enough. This coverage is part of your own policy, and it is one of the most valuable protections a Massachusetts rider can carry.

• UM applies when the other driver has no valid liability insurance.
• UIM applies when their limits are too low to cover your losses.
• Hit-and-run crashes often fall under UM as well.

Protect the claim early

Report the crash, get the other driver's insurance details if possible, keep every medical record, and avoid giving a recorded statement to any insurer before you understand your rights. UM and UIM claims are made against your own carrier, and they are not always as friendly as you would hope.

If you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver in Massachusetts, a short conversation with a motorcycle injury attorney can help you understand what coverage actually applies before deadlines and paperwork narrow your options.