Does auto insurance cover bicycle accidents? Bicycle accidents could be covered under auto insurance, depending on the circumstances. If you’re struck by a vehicle when riding, the at-fault motorist’s auto liability coverage may pay for the damages and injuries.
If you’re responsible for a bicycle crash, personal liability coverage on your homeowners, as well as renters policy, may pay for the injuries and damages that you caused up to the limits of your coverage.
If you strike a cyclist by driving your car, it is possible that you will be held responsible for any damages and injuries the victim suffers.
In addition to the personal recovery you’ll receive from the accident, it is important to be ready to protect your rights and be acquainted with your insurance protection and the laws that govern bicycles in your town and state.
Generally speaking, bicycles riding in Florida are allowed to ride on roads that are public, even if there aren’t bicycle lanes. Alongside sharing the roads together with drivers, bikers need to be sure to be safe on the road and adhere to the rules and regulations of other vehicles.
However, cyclists aren’t obliged to complete any type of certification exam before riding on the road. If you crash into the cyclist with your vehicle take a look at the rights and legal alternatives you have.
What happens if you accidentally hit someone on a bike with your car?
Both motorists and cyclists are required to travel on public roads in a harmonious manner, but this is not always the reality. If you crash into a cyclist by driving the cyclist could file claims for everything from personal injuries to damage to their property.
If there is an accident that causes death, a family member as well as the beneficiary deceased could claim the wrongful death of the victim. As the number of bicycles used increases and the number of cyclists increases, it is important to ensure you are aware ofshare-the-lane lawsin mind to avoid accidents occurring:
- Cyclists are allowed to take to the roads and must obey traffic rules.
- Cyclists can use the entire roadway and share a lane with only one bicycle.
- Make sure you have plenty of space (at minimum three feet) when you are passing the bicycle.
- Drivers and cyclists are expected to signal when changing lanes. Bicyclists usually employ hand signals.
- Be sure to keep a safe distance from cyclists who are on the road and be aware of cyclists prior to opening your doors when you are parked.
If you are involved in a collision with a bicycle in Florida and you are a cyclist, you must remain at the site of the incident. If you don’t, it’s considered an offense of hit and run, as stipulated within theAaron Cohen Life Protection Actwhich can be punished with severe penalties, which could include imprisonment time.
How insurance covers bicycle accidents
Here are some accidents for cyclists, and the different kinds of insurance that might apply.
Accident between two bikes
If you’re the one to blame When you’re on the road and you cause an accident to another biker, personal liability coverage on your homeowner’s insurance or renters insurance policy might cover the injured rider’s injuries as well as property damages.
Personal injuries may even be covered through your insurance for health. Repairing or replacing your bicycle could be covered by your homeowner and renters insurance, assuming you’ve included a specific policy rider to protect your bike on your insurance policy.
If another cyclist was the one to blame If another cyclist is responsible for an accident involving bicycles or injury, the damage to your bike could be covered by the personal liability coverage in their homeowner insurance policy or renters insurance policy.
An accident involving a bicycle and a motor vehicle
If the cyclist is responsible When the cyclist is responsible in a car collision, personal liability coverage on the homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy could be able to cover the damage to the property of the driver and injuries.
The cyclist’s medical costs may be covered by their health insurance plan, and the damage to their bicycle may be protected if they are an individual rider on the bike on their homeowner insurance policy or renters insurance policy.
If the driver is the one at fault when a cyclist gets struck by a car the at-fault driver’s auto liability coverage can pay for the cyclist’s medical bills and also the cost to repair or replace the bicycle. If the driver is not insured and the cyclist is not insured, he or she will require health insurance to pay for the injuries.
If damage to the bike is covered is dependent on how the bike is covered under the cyclist’s personal or renters policy. The cyclist may be able to sue the driver who is not insured for the injuries and damages resulting from the accident.
If the driver gets injured in the crash, medical payment insurance or personal injury coverage on the policy of the driver’s automobile could cover the driver’s medical expenses.
Does bicycle insurance cover damage?
Does auto insurance cover bicycle accidents? Insurance policies for bicycles can reimburse you for theft and damages to your bicycle. In addition, they will also reimburse the cost of claims to cover injuries and damages caused by riding it, just like an insurance policy for cars.
What can you do after an accident on the bicycle?
- Make sure you take photos and share information. Make sure to take plenty of photos and note down all relevant details, including the date and location of the incident when it’s still fresh in your mind. If someone else was involved in the accident give contact information as well as insurance details, and be sure to make a police investigation.
- Consult a physician. Even if the injuries appear to be minimal it’s still an ideal idea to keep an official record in case there are any medical concerns that arise after the incident.
- Find out if you have to submit an insurance claim. If you were not at fault in the incident then the insurance policy of the other driver might cover your medical or repairs to your bicycle. But, you might need to make a claim through your insurance company in the event that you were responsible for the accident.
PRO TIP: USE A CAMERA WHILE RIDING YOUR BICYCLE.
A lot of cyclists put the GoPro or similar video camera on the front of their helmet or bike. Video footage can be used to make it easier to pinpoint the fault of an accident. It could also be used to prove fault if you’re involved in a bicycle accident.
Bicycle Personal Injury Claims
In the event of a bicycle crash, the victim has4 yearsafter the incident to pursue a personal injury claim in Florida. Making sure you are protected and getting back to normal is essential for both the person who was injured as well as for.
In the event of a bike accident, it can cause a variety of suffering and pain or even losses. Common injuries that cyclists suffer after a crash could include:
- Traumatic head or brain injury.
- Nerve damage.
- The road is reckless.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Fragmented or broken bones.
This is not a comprehensive list of the injuries a cyclist might be able to claim following an accident. Each instance is unique. If a cyclist has any claim following an accident, it is likely that the type of injury could be serious. It is possible to be held accountable for one or more of the following losses in the case of a bicycle accident:
- Medical emergency evaluations.
- Surgery is needed following the accident.
- The cost of prescription medication is incurred following the accident.
- Costs of physical therapy.
- Hospital expenses.
- Continued care costs.
- X-rays.
- Casts.
- Work-related absence.
- The loss of the potential to work.
This is not a complete list of the costs cyclists could face when receiving treatment for injuries sustained in an accident. Although the cyclist is expected to bear responsibility for proving fault in the accident The risk of suffering injuries for cyclists involved in an accident is so high that even minor incidents of negligence could have grave consequences.
Know Your Legal Rights: Does auto insurance cover bicycle accidents?
If you strike a cyclist by accident with your vehicle and they are injured in the collision could be a victim of serious injuries and loss. As a driver, it’s crucial that you are aware of the laws governing bicycle riding and regulations designed to safeguard all motorists who are on the roads. You may consider it beneficial to deal with your case with a legal professional who is knowledgeable about the law governing bicycles.
