If you’re passionate about riding motorcycles, you likely dedicate a lot of time and effort to your bike, which can include bike modifications and using aftermarket parts. An accident can wreck your bike and cause severe injuries, even with a helmet.
Typically, standard policies exclude or cap coverage for custom parts, but you can add motorcycle accessory or custom parts endorsements to extend your coverage. Whether or not they’re covered, insurers may still scrutinize your mods after a crash.
Many motorcyclists face blame for accidents, even if other drivers were responsible. If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you need a dedicated attorney to take action. Let the Gervelis Law Firm investigate your case and help you secure fair compensation.
What Are Aftermarket Motorcycle Mods?
The aftermarket category includes vehicle parts, motorcycle parts, replacement tires, and accessories after the vehicle’s original sale. Popular aftermarket motorcycle mods include underglow kits, which help light up a bike for night riding, aftermarket exhaust systems to change sound and performance, chrome additions, and custom handlebars. Some of these modifications can improve the bike’s handling and efficiency or just give it the perfect look.
Other aftermarket mods for motorcycles include:
- Aftermarket exhausts
- Fender eliminator kits
- Crash bobbins (frame sliders)
- Clutch and brake levers
- Air filters
- Tires
- Mounts
- Headlights
Ohio Motorcycle Injury Claims: The Legal Basics
Any motorcycle accident can result in serious injuries, even if the impact was at a slow speed. Being involved in a motorcycle accident can be stressful and painful when recovering. If you drive a motorcycle in Ohio, you must carry proof of financial responsibility (minimum liability coverage).
Typically, to have a successful motorcycle accident claim in Ohio, you need to prove that the other party caused the accident by being negligent. Four elements need to be shown:
- Duty: You need to demonstrate that the party owed you a duty of care. Drivers are legally obligated to act responsibly to prevent harm to others on the road.
- Breach: You need to demonstrate that the other driver or party breached their duty by acting negligently, carelessly, or recklessly.
- Causation: You must prove their breach caused the accident and your injuries.
- Damages: You must show that you obtained damages from the accident that can be compensated.
Ohio operates on a comparative negligence system when assigning blame for an accident. The state’s law bars recovery if you’re more than 50% at fault.
How Mods Can Affect Fault and Liability in an Ohio Crash
Certain motorcycle modifications, such as illegal lighting, removed mirrors, and extra loud exhausts, can potentially shift some blame to the rider after an accident. If a mod violates Ohio equipment laws (for example, illegal lighting, missing mirrors, or over-height handlebars), insurers or a court may assign comparative fault.
If you have made any modifications to your bike, report them to your insurance company after a motorcycle accident and be honest about any upgrades. Failing to share these modifications might allow the insurance company to deny your claim.
Insurers may view certain motorcycle upgrades as compromising the bike’s safety, especially if they change the bike’s stability or engine. For example, they may argue you were partially at fault and the bike was out of control while taking a turn.
How Insurance Companies Use Mods to Limit Payouts
Insurance companies prioritize profit over people, and are always looking for a way to reduce their payouts. After a motorcycle accident in Ohio, insurance companies have been known to argue that some modifications made to your bike could have contributed to the crash or your injuries.
Keeping modifications to yourself and not sharing all the changes you’ve made to your motorcycle can lead to denials of your claims or less damages awarded. You should always share all modifications you’ve made with your insurance, and consider getting motorcycle accessory coverage.
All aftermarket motorcycle mods must be within the Ohio Revised Code’s regulations, and you should keep a record of all modifications you make to your bike. Documenting work done on your motorcycle before the motorcycle accident can help determine the worth of your claim.
When Modifications Don’t Affect Your Claim
If your motorcycle’s modifications are legal or just cosmetic changes and upgrades unrelated to your accident, they could be considered irrelevant to your claim. Legal mods will not automatically disqualify your claim.
If you’re concerned that your aftermarket motorcycle mods could impact your claim after an accident, consult with legal representation. Motorcyclists can receive unfair blame from insurance companies, and you deserve to be protected from these claims. With a knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney from Gervelis Law, you can rely on aggressive, experienced, and effective legal representation.
Why Legal Representation Is Critical in Mod-Related Claims
With the right legal representation, you can challenge any mod-related blame insurance companies may attempt to place on you. With an experienced motorcycle accident attorney from Gervelis Law, you can trust that we will work with our Rapid Investigation Team and experts to prove crash mechanics, demonstrate that the accident’s cause was unrelated to your bike’s modifications, and show others’ negligence.
Our firm has handled complex motorcycle cases throughout Youngstown, Akron, Warren, Toledo, and Columbus, securing our clients millions of dollars.
We aim to provide our clients with an exceptional experience they’re proud to recommend.
Gervelis Law Firm Can Help After Your Accident
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident in Ohio, you don’t have to face it alone. It can be challenging to navigate insurance and claims, especially when you’ve added aftermarket mods to your motorcycle. With offices in Canfield, Akron, Warren, Columbus, and Toledo, our team is ready to meet with clients at their homes, the hospital, or wherever is easiest for you.
Contact Gervelis Law Firm today or call (866) 792-2728 for a free consultation.