What to Do if a Driver with Progressive Insurance Hits You and Your Motorcycle

If you were on your motorcycle, minding your own business, and a driver with Progressive insurance crashed into you, you are going to need help. Progressive insurance company is a humongous organization that has dedicated a huge number of employees to making sure they never – EVER – pay motorcycle victims more than the bare minimum. Sometimes this means they use tricky, underhanded tactics to low-ball motorcycle victims and pay them less than what they deserve.

Number one takeaway: If you were hit by a driver with Progressive insurance, you should call a personal injury attorney before you talk with anybody else. Rider Justice and The O’Sullivan Law Firm offer free consultations and we have negotiated with Progressive Insurance on behalf of motorcycle crash victims many times. We always get what our clients are owed.

How Does Progressive Insurance Company Evaluate Motorcycle Crashes?

The first thing you need to know is that Progressive is going to do everything in its power to limit how much they have to pay you. If a driver insured by Progressive hit you, and you were riding a motorcycle, you likely have injuries, medical bills, a damaged or destroyed bike, and many other expensive bills coming in. Do not trust that any insurance company (even your own) will be looking to make you whole. That is not their goal. They want to pay you as little as possible.

Progressive Insurance Company evaluates motorcycle crashes in a number of ways to determine fault, liability, and the extent of damages. Here are the items they may consider and ways they might try to undermine your case:

• Police report: If a police report was filed at the scene of the accident, Progressive may use it to help determine who was at fault. This can be a huge problem after motorcycle crashes because often the rider is taken by ambulance to an ER and unable to give their side of the story. Our attorneys have found that there is bias against riders, so you will need an attorney to work on your behalf if the police report is inaccurate or biased against you.
• Eyewitness accounts: If there were any witnesses to the accident, their accounts can be helpful in determining what happened and who was at fault. However, this is another area where bias contributes to negative consequences for motorcyclists. Even eyewitnesses have been known to lean into stereotypes when sharing stories about crashes they saw happen. “That motorcycle was just so loud. I bet he scared the driver.” Only an experienced motorcycle attorney can get to the truth.
• Drivers and vehicle information: Progressive will review the drivers’ and vehicle information, including their driving record, the type of vehicles involved, and any modifications or repairs that may have been made. (Please note: If you have made modifications to your bike, you’ll want to make sure you have accessories coverage.)
• Photos and video: If available, photos and video of the accident scene can be helpful in determining who was at fault and the extent of the damages.
• Damage assessment: Progressive will assess the damage to the vehicles involved in the accident to determine the extent of the damages. This is a classic moment when Progressive insurance will try to lowball its settlement offer to motorcycle crash victims. Like doctor’s opinions, you should always get a second opinion on the damage caused to your motorcycle and don’t trust the service provider that Progressive recommends.
• Medical records: If there were any injuries sustained in the accident, Progressive will review the medical records to assess the extent of the injuries and determine the appropriate compensation. Do not – DO NOT – release your medical records to any insurance company without first consulting with a personal injury attorney. Please see the section below titled, “Why does Progressive Insurance want me to sign a medical authorization form?”
• Insurance policies: Progressive will review the insurance policies of all parties involved in the accident to determine the extent of coverage and liability. However, we have seen many insurance companies knowingly ignore or even hide policies that should pay out to victims. There are so many places to look for coverage that could help pay your bills after a motorcycle crash. Always talk to a personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement offer from Progressive.

Why Does Progressive Insurance Want Me to Sign a Medical Authorization Form

PLEASE NOTE! If you are being asked by Progressive to sign a medical release form, you should absolutely run the document by a personal injury attorney first.

It’s important for motorcycle crash victims to carefully review any medical authorization form provided by Progressive before signing it. Victims should ensure that the form only authorizes the release of medical records related to the accident and that it does not authorize the release of unrelated medical information. With a lawyer on your side, you won’t even have to deal with Progressive Insurance so you won’t have to worry about this kind of misstep.

Progressive is hunting for anything that they can blame your injuries on so they can avoid liability. If they have access to your entire medical history, they will find some obscure incident from your past and try to say that it contributed to your current condition, thereby avoiding partial liability.

Why are Motorcycle Accidents More Expensive for Progressive Insurance Company?

Motorcycle accidents tend to be more expensive than accidents involving other types of vehicles. This makes riders even more susceptible to unfair treatment. Here are some reasons motorcycle riders may face greater risk of getting lowballed by Progressive:

• Severity of injuries: Motorcyclists are at a higher risk of suffering severe injuries, including head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and road rash. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and long-term care, which can be very expensive. A good personal injury attorney will make sure you get the care you need as you heal. It’s your attorney’s job to make sure you are not rushed to settle before you learn the total extent of your injuries.
• Higher probability of fatalities: Motorcycle accidents are more likely to result in fatalities compared to other types of accidents. Fatalities are devastating to the family left behind, and an attorney can fight the insurance company while the family heals. No one who has lost a loved one should face Progressive Insurance alone.
• Cost of motorcycle repair: In addition to the cost of medical treatment and liability for injuries, insurance companies may also have to pay for the repair or replacement of the damaged motorcycle. Motorcycles are often expensive to repair, and replacement parts can be hard to find. Remember: Never trust Progressive’s assessment of the damage done to your bike. Get your own shop to give you an estimate and compare it to what Progressive is offering.
• Risky driving behavior: Motorcyclists are often perceived as being more likely to engage in risky driving behavior, such as speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, and riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This can make it more difficult for insurance companies to assess and manage risk effectively. (At Rider Justice, we believe that motorcyclists are blamed for far more accidents than they actually cause because of stereotypes perpetuated across our justice system. This is another reason motorcycle riders need a personal injury attorney after a crash with a Progressive driver.)
• Lack of protective features: Unlike cars and trucks, motorcycles do not have the protective features of airbags, seat belts, and other safety features that can reduce the severity of injuries in the event of an accident. As a result, injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents tend to be more severe, which can drive up the cost of insurance claims. At Rider Justice, we have helped motorcycle accident victims fight for huge settlements so that they can pay for all their medical bills, damaged property, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

How Big is Progressive Insurance and What is its Reputation?

Progressive Insurance is the third largest car insurance company in the United States and has been in business for over 80 years. They have over 43,000 employees, 18 million customers and more than 20 million policies in force today. The company is known for its quirky advertising campaigns and its use of technology to offer customers a fast and streamlined online experience.

Overall, Progressive Insurance has a mixed reputation among consumers. Some customers have had positive experiences with the company, citing its *, ease of use, and helpful customer service. However, other customers have had negative experiences, particularly in regards to claim handling and customer service.

Some negative experiences that people have reported with Progressive insurance company include:

• Poor customer service: Some customers have reported difficulties in reaching customer service representatives, long wait times on the phone, and unhelpful responses from customer service representatives.
• Denial of claims: Some customers have reported that Progressive denied their claims or delayed their payouts, even when they believed they were entitled to compensation.
• Price increases: Some customers have reported that their premiums increased significantly over time, despite no changes in their driving record or other circumstances.
• Unsatisfactory repair work: Some customers have reported that the repairs done to their vehicles by Progressive’s preferred repair shops were of poor quality, and they were not satisfied with the results.
• Billing issues: Some customers have reported billing errors or discrepancies in their bills, which led to confusion and frustration.
• *Bare minimum coverage: When Progressive touts its “competitive pricing,” it’s important to analyze exactly what types of policies they are selling. A lot of insurance companies offer customers the absolute bare minimum of coverage just to close a deal (calling it “Full Coverage“), rather than properly insuring them against the risk they may face if someone hits them. This is particularly scary for motorcycle riders who need to have enough insurance coverage to protect themselves from underinsured drivers.

If you are a victim of a motorcycle crash with a Progressive driver, you need to be most worried about the company’s poor customer service and denial-of-claims reputation. If you are trying to manage your own personal injury case and running into walls put up by Progressive, call Rider Justice today. Our attorneys literally love fighting with insurance companies who try to take advantage of bikers.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney After a Motorcycle Crash?

Hiring a personal injury attorney after a motorcycle crash can provide several benefits for the victim, including:

• Legal expertise: A personal injury attorney has specialized legal knowledge and experience in handling motorcycle crash cases, including knowledge of relevant laws and regulations. This expertise can help ensure that the victim’s rights are protected and that they receive a fair settlement offer from Progressive Insurance Company.
• Investigation: A personal injury attorney can conduct an independent investigation into the motorcycle crash, gathering evidence such as witness statements, photographs of the scene, and accident reports. This evidence can be crucial in determining liability and proving the victim’s case.
• Valuation of damages: A personal injury attorney can accurately assess the damages suffered by the victim as a result of the motorcycle crash, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. This can help the victim to negotiate a fair settlement with Progressive.
• Negotiation: A personal injury attorney can negotiate with Progessive on behalf of the victim, working to secure a fair settlement offer that fully compensates the victim for their losses.
• Trial representation: If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, a personal injury attorney can represent the victim in court, presenting evidence and arguments to a judge and jury in order to secure a favorable verdict.
• Reduced stress: Dealing with the aftermath of a motorcycle crash can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if the victim is dealing with injuries and medical treatment. Hiring a personal injury attorney can help alleviate some of this stress by handling the legal aspects of the case, allowing the victim to focus on their recovery.

Rider Justice has seen every trick in Progressive’s playbook and we know how to protect victims of motorcycle crashes from Progressive’s underhanded tactics. Contact Rider Justice and Scott O’Sullivan for a free consultation if you are hit by a driver with Progressive insurance.