Does My Car Insurance Cover Me in a Bicycle Crash?

Getting into a bicycle accident can be overwhelming. Not only may your bike be wrecked, you could also be suffering from significant injuries that make it difficult or even impossible to return to work right away.

Auto insurance and other types of insurance might be able to help you after your bicycle crash. The Lafayette bicycle injury lawyers at Dudley DeBosier can help you determine your best options for recovering compensation for losses due to bicycle accident injuries.

Can Auto Insurance Cover Bicycle Accidents?

When it comes to filing a claim after a bicycle-car accident, there are two types of insurance that you may ‌use: the driver’s or yours. Renter’s or homeowner’s insurance is also an option that may cover the cost of repairing your bicycle in the event of damage.

The other driver’s auto insurance policy

If you are hit by a car while riding a bicycle, you may be able to ‌receive compensation for your injuries from the other driver’s auto insurance company. Their auto insurance should cover your medical expenses. If your bike and bike gear are damaged in the accident, the driver’s liability insurance policy may also cover the cost to repair the damage or replace the bike. 

Your car insurance policy

If the driver who hit you fled the accident scene and cannot be identified, your uninsured/underinsured coverage from your auto insurance policy can help pay for your losses. Your uninsured/underinsured coverage will cover your injuries due to a hit-and-run driver or if you are the victim of a hit-and-run driver’s negligence.

Renter’s and homeowner’s insurance policies

Your renter’s insurance policy should cover your bike if it was damaged by someone else, since being hit by another vehicle in a crash that was not your fault is often a covered peril. Homeowner’s insurance plans also cover bicycles as part of your personal property.

What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident?

Whether you are filing against your insurance or the at-fault party’s insurance, it is essential to know the steps to take after a bike accident to ensure you have the best chance possible for compensation.

1. Call the police: The police will come to the accident scene and make a report about what happened. This record is vital for establishing your claim. If you or anyone else involved in the accident suffered injuries, ask for emergency personnel to respond to receive immediate medical attention.
2. Get the driver’s information: Make sure you get information from anyone else involved in your accident. Write down their name, address, driver’s license number, license plate number, insurance information, and contact information. If there were any witnesses to your crash, try to get their contact information as well in case you need them to make a statement in support of your claim.
3. Take pictures and videos: Snap a few pictures and videos of your bicycle, the debris from the vehicle, your injuries, and the point of impact. These ‌details are essential evidence to show the damage to you and your bike.
4. Get medical attention: Even if you believe your injuries are minor, you must get thoroughly examined by a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or soft tissue injuries, may not be noticeable until hours or days later. Failing to seek prompt medical attention may impair your ability to recover compensation.
5. Determine your legal options: There is a solid possibility that the other party’s insurance company may cover your medical bills and the repairs to your bicycle if you were not at fault in the accident. If you cannot identify the driver, such as in after a hit-and-run accident, you may need to file a claim with your auto insurance provider.

You can file a claim on your own, but it is best to hire a personal injury lawyer from Dudley DeBosier, who can negotiate a fair settlement for you. An experienced lawyer can help you get more compensation, since most insurance companies try to settle for as little as possible.

Getting Legal Help After a Bicycle Accident

A bicycle injury attorney from Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers can help you understand your rights and options after an accident. Our attorneys will represent your interests and determine fair compensation based on the facts of your accident.

We serve bicycle accident victims throughout Louisiana, including Lafayette and New Orleans. Get a free case evaluation when you contact our law office today. 

This content has been reviewed by Chad Lederman, Director of Legal Operations at our New Orleans office.

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