With spring just around the corner, motorcycle enthusiasts are getting excited to take their bikes out of storage and to get on the road again. Already, I have seen bikers out on the highway braving the cold but sunny February weather. As personal injury attorneys, we have seen far too many victims of motorcycle accidents. The Christensen Law Firm reminds you to do a couple things before gearing up for your first ride of the season.
- Register your Motorcycle
- Make sure your bike adheres to the 2010 safety and emissions regulations
- Reinstate your insurance for your motorcycle
- Make sure you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage
Utah Laws Regarding Motorcycle Safety Inspections
Utah law stipulates that vehicles and motorcycles that are eight model years or less are required to pass a safety and emissions inspection once every two years. More specifically, if your vehicle is an even numbered model, your safety inspection is required on the even number years. Accordingly, if your vehicle or motorcycle has an old-numbered model your inspection needs to be scheduled on odd number year sequence. All vehicles with model years older than eight year are subject to safety inspections every year. See the 2010 Safety Inspection Chart from the Utah DMV below.
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2010 Safety Inspection Requirements |
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Vehicle Model Year |
Safety Inspection |
| 2010 (except new vehicles) | Required in 2010 |
| 2009 | Not required |
| 2008 | Required in 2010 |
| 2007 | Not required |
| 2006 | Required in 2010 |
| 2005 | Not required |
| 2004 | Required in 2010 |
| 2003 | Not required |
| 2002 and older | Required in 2010 |
Do You have Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
There are far too many uninsured motorists out on Utah roads. In the case of an accident with one of these uninsured motorists, unless you have purchased uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, you will personally be held responsible for all the medical bills, costs and damages associated with a motorcycle verses car accident. I have sat down with many victims of serious motorcycle verses car crashes who have sustained horrible traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries who need serious help mitigating through all their medical bills and lost income for life. It is difficult to have to inform these struggling victims that they cant make a personal injury claim because they did not purchase UM coverage and the at-fault driver did not have insurance. While I hope you never find yourself or a loved one in a tragic Utah accident, it is wise to protect yourself by getting the adequate insurance on your automobiles and motorcycles.
Penalties for Failing to Properly Insure your Motorcycle
Utah lawmakers enforce strict regulations and consequences to those motorists and motorcyclists that do not purchase the required insurance for their vehicles. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for the State of Utah, failing to insure your motor vehicle or motorcycle can result in the following penalties:
- Failure to provide proof of insurance is a Class B misdemeanor with a fine of $400 for the first offense
- Second offense of failing to have insurance, and any additional offences within three years, results in $1,000 fine
- The Department of Public Safety can suspend your driver’s license until fines are paid and you bring proof of insurance to the DMV
Statistics on Uninsured Drivers
- Nationwide 1/7 motorists do not have car insurance
- Uninsured drivers are 10x more likely to have DUI convictions and suspended licenses
- In Utah, 10% of motorists do not have car insurance
“Even though most states require drivers to maintain insurance, the problem persists,” reported Elizabeth Sprinkel, senior vice president of Insurance Research Council. “Responsible drivers who purchase insurance end up paying for injuries caused by uninsured drivers.”
Hiring an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Attorney Kenneth L. Christensen and The Christensen Law Firm, PLLC know the laws relating to utah motorcycle accidents. While we can’t undo the harm that’s been done, we can provide your family with a sense of security and comfort, knowing that you can receive compensation to help cover the costs of current and future medical bills relating to the injury.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury you believe to be the result of the negligence of another, we urge you to contact us online or call us at 801-506-0800(Main number), 801-224-2999 (Utah County) or 801-294-9500 (Davis County) to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal rights.