Posted On: May 25, 2007, 11:47 am CDT

Posted By: Tom Lynch

John - I understand that you've paid into MCCA (Michigan's catastrophic claim fund), but let me suggest 2 things you may not know: First - If you collide with a car (not a tree) and it's your fault or not, it's the car driver's insurance company that pays that first $350,000. The car driver pays for that in his or her premium; Second - Insurance companies are charged very big money by MCCA every year to fund the amount it pays in excess of $350,000. Car drivers pay for that, too, in their premiums.

One last point - Head injuries are the costliest form of injury to treat, by far. It's only sound public policy and good economic sense to require that motorcyclists wear helmets when they ride, especially if other citizens are going to have to foot the lion's share of costs when crashes occur.