Eligibility

Who is the Typical Down Rider?

Michael C. is 24 years old and a cook in a bar in Ballard. He works hard, doesn’t make a lot of money and depends on his motorcycle as his primary form of transportation. He cannot afford motorcycle insurance.

One day he was traveling down a major Seattle arterial when an on-coming car, with no turn signal or other indication, made a left turn in front of him. Michael suffered serious injuries including a dislocated shoulder, torn knee ligaments, severe bruising and skins abrasion. Following surgery and physical therapy, he was out of work for six months.

Two months after the accident and falling ever farther behind in his rent, his landlord threatened to began eviction proceedings. His rising debts were referred to aggressive collections agencies that harangued him by telephone at all hours. He began going to food banks to fill his cupboard, and he could not afford desperately needed pain medications. With no family nearby and no club affiliations, he was on his own, still on the mend and facing imminent homeless.

The motorist who turned into him carried only the minimum liability coverage of $25,000. The insurance company, however, claimed Michael was speeding, so they refused to pay the claim for nearly a year. Eventually the insurer gave in and paid the claim, but by then Michael’s credit had been badly damaged and he had been evicted from his apartment. Without the means to pay for the needed physical therapy, injuries that should have completely healed will instead torment him for the rest of his and impact the sort of work he can perform.

The Down Rider Foundation could have helped Michael – by a small grant that guaranteed food on his table and a roof over his head for several months, by legal assistance in his struggle with the insurance company, and by referral to a credit serviced to help him negotiate with creditors.

The Application Process

Download the application form
Following an accident, the injured rider (or, acting on his/her behalf, a family member or close friend) may apply for financial assistance. The application will include a description of the accident, police report if available, hospital records any statements from witnesses, a financial statement and estimation of basic financial need. The application will then be verified by the Foundation screening committee and, if approved, will decide on a grant amount. The key factors in determining eligibility are:

Need. An injured rider with the demonstrable financial ability to provide for themselves will likely not be approved.
Fault. A rider found to be either largely or solely at fault (e.g., gross speeding or reckless operation, presence of alcohol, etc.,) may not be approved. Proportional fault will be taken into consideration during the screening process.

Timeliness. The purpose of Down Rider grants is to assist injured riders immediately after an accident. If a rider waits six months or a year to apply, that will greatly weaken the application.

What May The Grant Be Used For?

A grant is intended to cover basic living expenses: rent, food, medicine and transportation. The applicant who would be required to show evidence of proper use of the grant before the next payment would be issued.

Would the Money Have To Be Repaid?

No. It is a no-strings grant – not a loan. However, should the rider find him- or herself in a financial position to “pay it forward” following the successful resolution of an insurance claim or legal action, the Foundation would gratefully accept such reimbursement. Such donations would go directly back into the grant fund for future injured riders, and are tax deductible.