Following a car accident, it’s clear that victims can use their auto insurance to cover damages, such as medical bills, lost earning potential, and loss of enjoyment of life. However, it is not apparent what bicycle accident victims should do after a bicycle accident. Depending on the situation that led to the bicycle accident, insurance may or may not apply to cover economic and non-economic damages.
Bicycle accidents can result from the negligent behavior of another cyclist, a pedestrian, or a driver of a large motor vehicle. A bicycle accident lawyer can help assess what happened during your bicycle accident to determine if your insurance covers a percentage of the damages. They can also help to decide if you have a case to file a bicycle accident claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Damages Caused by a Bicycle Accident
Bicycle accident victims can suffer significant injuries that could result in damages or losses. A spinal cord injury, bone fracture, or traumatic brain injury (TBI) can financially, medically, and psychologically affect a bicycle accident victim.
There are two types of damages in a bicycle accident: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are financial losses caused by a bicycle accident. Victims may have to pay for expensive medical expenses, such as surgical, hospitalization, and physical therapy costs, or wage-based losses. Non-economic damages are those that have to do with a bicycle accident victim’s quality of life changes due to their severe injury.
The following are some damages a bicycle accident victim could need compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of society
- Mental anguish
Most personal injury victims can use their insurance to pay for a percentage of their losses caused by an accident. However, bicycle accident victims can only use their insurance in certain cases. Otherwise, they must file a bicycle accident claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company to recover fair compensatory damages.
Does Insurance Cover Accidents Involving Two Bikes?
In a bicycle accident involving two bicyclists, whose insurance covers the accident depends on who caused the accident. If the other bicyclist caused the bicycle accident through negligent behavior, your damages might be covered under the personal liability coverage they have on their renters or homeowners insurance.
Your auto insurance could cover the cost of your bicycle accident damages. Most auto insurance packages allow vehicle owners to recover a percentage of compensation for their medical bills and lost wages, and the same can apply to your bicycle accident damages. Your homeowners or renters insurance may cover a percentage of the cost of your damages, but it will not be able to pay for the full cost.
Does a Driver’s Auto Insurance Cover Bicycle Accident Damages?
In a bicycle accident with a driver, the bicyclist’s auto insurance could cover the cost of some damages. However, if the driver caused the bicycle accident through negligent behavior, they could be liable to pay for damages through their insurance company. Some negligent driving behavior that could leave a driver liable for bicycle accident damages includes distracted driving, speeding, and failing to yield the right of way.
A bicyclist’s auto insurance will likely not pay for non-economic damages that affect their quality of life. This is why they should file a bicycle accident claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company to pursue non-economic compensatory damages. If they do not file a bicycle accident claim, they will not recover any compensation for non-economic damages.
How Does Insurance Apply to a Bicycle Accident Involving a Bicyclist and Pedestrian?
Auto insurance also covers damages in accidents involving pedestrians. If a pedestrian causes a bicycle accident by recklessly getting in the bike lane, they could be held liable for damages in a bicycle accident claim.
You could file a bicycle accident claim with their insurance company to recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Your auto insurance could cover a percentage of your damages, but filing a bicycle accident claim is the best way to recover full compensatory damages.
What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident?
Following a bicycle accident, you should focus on your health and how you can recover compensation for damages. You may not be able to pay for your financial losses and can experience pain and suffering that can negatively affect your life. You could take specific steps to put yourself in the best position to recover compensatory damages.
The following are some things you could do after a bicycle accident:
- Exchange contact information with the at-fault party
- Collect evidence at the accident scene
- Speak to eyewitnesses
- Contact the police to file a police report
- Get in touch with your insurance provider
- Go to the hospital
- Hire a bicycle accident lawyer
- File a bicycle accident claim
Do You Need to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
Those who suffer significant damages from a bicycle accident should hire a bicycle accident lawyer to help them pay for their damages. They will be able to walk you through whether your insurance can cover your damages and your options for pursuing compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Filing a bicycle accident claim can be difficult, especially in negotiating settlements with insurance companies. They will try to limit your settlement to keep their profits up. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer can combat these attempts to lower your payment and negotiate in good faith to help you recover fair compensatory damages.
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Bicycle Accident Claim
At The Russo Firm, our bicycle accident lawyers can help walk you through whether your insurance can cover your bicycle accident damages. They can help you calculate the cost of your damages and determine whether your insurance coverage can compensate you for the full cost of your damages.
If your insurance does not cover the full cost of your damages, our bicycle accident lawyers can help you file a bicycle accident claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. They can collaborate with you to create a legal counsel plan you are comfortable with that can put you in the best position to recover fair compensatory damages. Contact us for a free bicycle accident consultation at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
