How does Insurance Work for Bicycle Accidents?

After a serious injury during a bicycle accident, your insurance coverage may be available to help you overcome the serious expenses you have suffered. However, it is not always easy to determine how your insurance will cover you. You may be worried that you will have to pay out of pocket and may be unwilling to pay for your injuries. 

A highly experienced Sacramento bicycle accident lawyer with Triumph Law has the tools to guide you through your insurance claim for a bike wreck. We can also represent you during negotiations, working to get you a fair settlement for your injuries. If you are concerned about your options for recovery, do not hesitate to reach out.

How Insurance Covers Bicycle Accident Damages 

When you are involved in a bicycle accident, the insurance company may be your first option to pursue compensation for the damages. In theory, the insurance company should provide the financial support you need to recover from these damages. However, you may be unsure what your claim is worth, and you may even be uncertain where to turn and who is responsible for your accident.

Overcoming your injuries after a bicycle accident can be tough, especially if the at-fault party tries to avoid accepting responsibility or in cases where the insurance company is unwilling to pay. Your injuries may impact multiple areas of your life, making it tough to recover from the sometimes devastating experiences you may have suffered because of a bicycle accident. Below are a few ways insurance companies may cover the damages caused by your bicycle accident.

Bicycle vs. Motor Vehicle 

When you are on a bike and are struck by a car, you will first need to determine who is at fault for your accident. If the other driver is at fault, their insurance company may be liable for your injuries through their policy since California is a fault state under California Insurance Code §1861.025. That gives you a chance to recover under their liability coverage.

If the bicyclist is at fault, their own health insurance or liability coverage may be expected to cover the cost of the accident. That can impact or even limit the bicyclist’s ability to recover. Because of this, identifying who is liable for the accident is one of the first steps to recovery, as the insurance policies available can differ.

Bicycle vs. Pedestrian

Pedestrian accidents involving bicyclists also depend on who is liable. If the bicyclist strikes a pedestrian, the bicyclist’s homeowners’ or renters’ insurance may be responsible for the damages. If the pedestrian was partially responsible for causing the accident, fault may not be clear.

In either case, the injured party may also be able to pursue compensation through their health insurance. Your health insurance can help cover the many expensive bicycle accident injuries you have suffered because someone else was careless with your safety. Be sure to speak with your attorney if your health insurance does not seem to be offering the full compensation you are due.

Bicycle vs. Bicycle

If you and another bicyclist strike one another, liability typically depends on who is at fault, but the at-fault party’s renters’ or homeowners’ insurance typically pays. You may even have an insurance rider to provide further coverage for frequent bicyclists. That can offer you further options for recovery.

The key part of determining liability for a bicycle collision is identifying which bicycle was at fault. For example, the other bicyclist may have been in the wrong lane, failed to signal, or otherwise was distracted in a way that led to an accident. With our help, you can gather the information you need to prove they were at fault.

Bicycle vs. Stationary Object

If you were on a bike and struck a stationary object, you may still have grounds to pursue a settlement with your insurance company. Your homeowners or renters’ insurance may provide the support you need following these injuries. If you have a rider, meaning you have specific coverage for your bicycle, that can also help you recover.

If you struck something like a pothole or an unexpected obstruction in the bicycle lane, however, you may even have grounds for a legal claim. The California Department of Transportation is responsible for keeping bicycle lanes as safe as other roads and walkways, including making necessary repairs and posting warnings if the bicycle lane is not safe. If they fail to warn or repair, they may be held liable for the injuries caused by this oversight.

Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident

When you are injured in a bicycle accident, you may be flustered, injured, and overwhelmed by the situation. This can be a frightening situation to find yourself in, and it can be just as difficult to recover. Fortunately, by taking the steps below, you are moving in the right direction to get compensated following a bicycle accident:

• Get medical care as soon as possible
• Take photos or video footage of the accident scene
• Report your accident to the appropriate authorities
• Get contact information for any eyewitnesses of the accident
• Reach out to an attorney for help preparing for your personal injury claim

Bicycle accidents can be painful and confusing, but taking the right steps can make a difference. Simply taking the above steps to be proactive after your bicycle collision can help you get the resources and aid you need following an accident. You can also get help taking these steps by reaching out to a personal injury lawyer who can guide you through the insurance process.

Consult a Highly Experienced Bicycle Accident Attorney for Help Today

Getting insurance coverage for a bicycle accident can be difficult. You may not have the tools needed to counteract the insurance company’s claims that you were at fault, for example. Without legal support, you may struggle to recover from the accusations levied against you. 

At Triumph Law, we know how difficult it can be to get a fair insurance settlement offer, and we are here to help you get answers. If you are struggling to navigate your insurance claim, from negotiation to litigation, reach out to our attorneys for a free consultation about the specifics of your insurance case. Reach out for help by calling or completing our online contact form.