Car Accident Lawyer

If you ride your bike long enough, you know that your chances of getting hit by a vehicle continue to increase. Though you may be a conscious rider aware of your surroundings and road rules, there’s nothing you can do when an inattentive driver hits you. When that happens, it’s good to know ahead of time what your options are and how you’ll pay your bills.

Auto Insurance

If you get struck by a car and the driver caused the accident, then their auto insurance will cover you. Since it involves a car, it is still considered an auto accident, and many of the same factors of a car accident are applicable. You will have to prove that the driver was negligent and is responsible for the accident and covering your costs. While you wait for compensation, you can use your own auto insurance to cover bills in the meantime.

Personal Injury Protection

Personal injury protection, or PIP, is coverage that you may have with your own insurance. This covers all expenses related to the accident before your claim goes through. Depending on your situation, it may cover medical costs like appointments, tests and surgery, property damage, and wages you’ve lost because you can’t work. Many people stress about paying these sudden bills and take the insurance company’s first settlement offer, but you should always wait to make sure the settlement covers everything.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

If the person who hit you does not have insurance, you can turn to your own policy regarding coverage. You’ll have a certain amount of uninsured motorist coverage for this exact reason. The amount depends on how much you’ve put into it, and you can check with your insurance agency to find out what it is.

Negligence in Bike-Car Accidents

Negligence refers to the person who caused the accident, either because they were not paying attention, they were texting, or some other form of carelessness on the road. If the driver is at fault, you should take pictures of the accident and damages and get statements from witnesses to use in your claim. You’ll be going to the driver’s insurance with your claim, and they will conduct their own investigation into the accident, attempting to undermine your claims of innocence to pay less.

You can always contact an attorney, like a car accident attorney from The Law Offices of Arcadier, Biggie, & Wood, if you feel stuck in what to do or who’s insurance to go to. Lawyers have dealt with bicycle and pedestrian accidents with cars and have the expertise to properly advise you.