Auto Insurance Coverage & Bicycle Accidents

Accidents

Auto accidents are stressful, and an accident involving a cyclist is no exception. Whether you are the vehicle driver or cyclist, responding effectively to an accident is essential in safeguarding personal health, financial security, and as a way to effectively manage any legal liabilities.

Check For Injuries

The first thing to do after an accident is to immediately check for and manage any personal injuries. The health of the driver of a car — and more likely, the cyclist — may be in danger, and appropriately treating any injuries is physically essential, and may also be necessary in determining potential financial liabilities. 

Leaving the scene of an accident after being involved in an automobile collision is illegal.

Exchange Information and Contact Police

Fault may vary depending on the specifics of any accident — and consequently, so will any insurance payouts. Assuming no one is severely harmed, the cyclist and auto driver should immediately exchange insurance information, in order to effectively process any claims that may arise.

The involved parties should also contact the police, as a police report may be necessary in the effective processing of any claim.

Understand Relevant Liability Policies

Unless the details of an incident are entirely clear — and sometimes, even if they are — navigating insurance liability policies is where the aftermath of an automobile and bicycle collision can grow complicated. 

Automobile insurance policies will typically include some form of uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection, which may be used towards a payout for a cyclist victim in a car accident in cases where the automobile driver is at fault.

If the cyclist is at fault for the accident, the cyclist’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may offer some property damage coverage, potentially to both the automobile driver and the cyclist.

Regardless of fault, if one party is hurt and has health insurance, that may offer some coverage for injuries. If that coverage is insufficient, the injured party may seek to file a claim to secure compensation from the party that is at fault.

Still Unsure?

If you have been in an automobile-bicycle accident, contact a car accident lawyer from a firm like Ward & Ward Law Firm today to effectively navigate the aftermath. A lawyer can also be extremely helpful in navigating specific laws in a given location, which may vary considerably from state to state. Even in relatively straightforward situations, a lawyer can be beneficial in walking you through the process and navigating the claims and payout process.