Injured motorcyclist uses own coverage for settlement

An Oklahoma insurance company’s collapse has inadvertently helped a Jefferson County motorcyclist injured in a May 2011 accident recover substantially more after he had to turn to his own coverage for uninsured motorists.

Vincent South of Arnold was riding his 2008 Harley-Davidson Street Glide on Main Street in Imperial near Old State Road when another driver pulled out in front of him, said plaintiff’s attorney Joseph Hillebrand, of Brown & Crouppen.

South was thrown from his bike and tore several tendons in his right hand, Hillebrand said, requiring surgery.

South was unable to file a claim with the other driver’s insurer because the company, Pride National Insurance Co. of Oklahoma City, was declared insolvent and taken into receivership by the Oklahoma insurance commissioner in March 2013.

South subsequently sought payment from his insurer, State Farm, and received a total of $146,000 with stacked coverage on a total of three vehicles, including the bike.

“It was to his benefit that Pride National went into receivership,” Hillebrand said of the company that specialized in high-risk policies. “It was a nice deal.”

The other driver had only a minimum $25,000 worth of coverage, Hillebrand added. Since South wasn’t working, he did not pursue a lost income claim.

Hillebrand shared copies of the canceled checks as confirmation of the settlement. A State Farm claims representative did not respond to an interview request.

$146,000 settlement

Motor Vehicle Collision

Venue: Jefferson County Circuit Court

Case Number/Date: Not filed/Sept. 13, 2013

Insurer: State Farm Insurance

Caption: Vincent South vs. Angela Beck

Plaintiff’s Attorney: Joseph Hillebrand, Brown & Crouppen, St. Louis.

Defendant’s Attorney: None