What if the Driver Fled the Scene of the Bicycle Accident?

When a driver at fault for an accident leaves the scene, such as striking a bicycle rider with the vehicle, that is an illegal act. From the standpoint of the victim, it can mean that you are unsure what to do to obtain compensation for your losses.

The primary focus initially is on finding that driver to hold them accountable, but knowing what your legal rights are can be more challenging since you may be unsure how to cover your losses, and a California bicycle accident lawyer at Triumph Law, P.C. can help.

Who Will Pay for Your Medical Bills After a Bicycle Accident?

Your first step after such an accident is to get immediate medical care. Your personal health insurance should cover the costs of your medical bills, factoring in things like your deductible and copays. Yet, this does not mean you cannot continue to pursue other parties for the losses you have and hold them accountable.

The police will work to find the driver in this case, and with the wide range of cameras in place today, that is likely to occur. However, until that happens, it will be difficult for you to obtain compensation for your losses from that driver or others. Keep in mind that your homeowner’s insurance may cover the damage to your bike, depending on whether you have coverage.

What is most important in this situation is not to wait for the police to find who is to blame but to hire a bicycle accident attorney immediately. Our passion at Triumph Law P.C. is to help our clients reclaim their financial losses. We will go to work to find the party responsible and hold them accountable once we do.

Where Can You Find Evidence After a Hit and Run Bike Accident?

When a hit-and-run bicycle accident like this occurs, you, as the victim, are likely to be unable to take action to capture the license plate or to recall details about the driver. There are likely cameras on area homes or businesses, traffic cameras, and other resources available that could help you. Our bicycle accident attorneys will gather evidence from all possible sources, including:

• Witness statements
• Reports from nearby businesses and their patrons
• Data from other drivers in the area
• Your statements with any applicable details

Our goal is always to find the most information available, so we will speak to witnesses, discuss your case with area businesses, and scour the internet for any available statements to support your claim. We encourage you to provide any information you have, no matter how small it may seem. Once we do this and support the police in their efforts to find the responsible party, we can then focus on building your case.

What Are the Laws Regarding Hit-and-Runs in Sacramento?

When a person strikes another party, they must stop. The drivers must pull over, remain at the scene, call the police, and report the details of the incident. While this often applies to vehicle accidents, it also applies to bicycle accidents.

A person who fails to do so may face a misdemeanor charge or more serious charges if they are found to be reckless or intentional in their actions. This type of crime also carries the possibility of significant fines and jail time. The details of your case play a role in what the responsible party will face from a legal standpoint.

Note that in a hit-and-run accident, you have rights as well. You have the right to seek out compensation for the losses another person caused to you. Our goal as your bicycle accident attorney is to find those responsible and ensure they pay what they owe.

What Happens Once a Hit-and-Run Driver Is Found After a Bicycle Accident?

Once the police find the motorist who struck a bicyclist and then fled the scene, they will take over the legal process of holding that party responsible for the crime they committed. At the same time, our attorneys will go into action to file a claim against their auto insurance. That claim can help you cover most of your losses, including potentially:

• Medical bills from the incident
• Ongoing medical care
• Loss of earning capacity for permanent injuries
• Long-term recovery costs
• Loss of quality of life
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Property damage
• Lost time at work

We work to determine all of the ways this incident cost you so that you can file a comprehensive claim against the at-fault party’s insurance. This allows you to get the money to cover your losses and start over. For many in serious bicycle accidents, this can be critically important.

Will You Have to Go to Court to File a Claim After a Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident?

There is the chance that you may need to pursue legal action against the at-fault party after a hit-and-run bicycle accident. This occurs in situations where the insurance company may deny your claim, which is likely to happen only in situations where there is some level of uncertainty about fault. In that case, our bicycle accident attorneys will work closely with you to pursue your claim.

Also, note that you may be asked by the prosecution in the criminal trial to provide a statement. In situations like this, our attorneys will also help you to navigate the process. We do not want you to relive what you suffered, but we do want to hold those accountable for the losses they created.

Most of the time, a jury is not going to side with a hit-and-run driver. For that reason, insurance companies may be willing to settle. Let us fight to make sure you do not settle for less than you are owed.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Bicycle Accident Attorneys Now

If you were involved in a bicycle accident in which the driver fled the scene, contact Triumph Law, P.C., now to discuss your case. Allow our attorneys to provide you with hands-on support and guidance to navigate your rights under the law. Call us now to learn more about your rights at a free consultation.