Riding a bicycle as a pastime or mode of transportation may enhance your health while lowering your carbon impact. Many people in California choose to ride their bicycles for recreation and transportation. However, accidents are always possible.
When a car recklessly strikes a bike, the injured rider is entitled to compensation for their injuries. Setareh Law can help you if you want to file an insurance claim or if you’re unsure what to do after an accident. Our bicycle accident lawyers in California have many years of combined legal expertise in resolving personal injury lawsuits. We are always happy to address any issues concerning bicycle accident insurance and your rights as a biker.
What Happens Following a Bicycle Accident?
After taking the right action following a bicycle accident, you must determine who is responsible for paying for your injuries. It all depends on who was at fault—the motorist or the rider. All drivers in California are required by law to exhibit “financial responsibility.” Most drivers comply with this requirement by acquiring the 15,000/30,000/5,000 in liability insurance coverage that is the minimum necessary by law. Thus, the insured is protected against bodily injury liability to the tune of $15,000 per person per accident, $30,000 for all physical injury to multiple people per accident, and $5,000 for property destruction. Small bike accident reports that are covered by the policy limitations do well with this amount of coverage.
In most cases, accident-related expenses are covered by a bicyclist’s own health insurance. In addition to other advantages, some of this insurance could potentially cover work loss. The driver’s uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance should reimburse the expenses if they are at fault and the rider has no insurance.
A major injury from a bike collision, on the other hand, might result in medical bills that much exceed the limitations of the motorist’s policy. The wounded cyclist is held accountable for the additional costs. A cyclist may sue the driver to get their reimbursements. Many drivers, however, may have little or no assets to attach. Additionally, there are a lot of uninsured drivers on the road.
Consider All Costs Following a Bicycle Accident
After a bike accident, the first thing to do is to submit a police report so that both parties have a detailed account of the collision to present to their vehicle insurance. This will offer the necessary documentation for legal action and cash compensation.
Medical charges are the most commonly discussed costs in these events. It is critical to retain the services of a skilled lawyer to evaluate all costs and negotiate a reasonable settlement with the other party’s motor insurance. Depending on the circumstances, many additional factors might be examined, and skilled attorneys understand how to handle them in order to obtain their clients the justice they deserve.
When May I File a Lawsuit in California After a Bicycle Accident?
The individual or responsible parties for the riding accident may be held financially accountable. In California, an accident victim may seek restitution by filing a personal injury lawsuit. If you are hurt while riding in California, you may be eligible to obtain compensation for your:
- Body injuries
- Property damage
- Lost earnings
- Medical expenses
Before contacting the driver’s insurance company after a bike accident involving a car, you should consider contacting a lawyer. Usually, the insurance company tries to pay as little as possible to resolve the claim. Your attorney will communicate with the insurance provider on your behalf.
Insurance Policy Coverage for Bicycles
The bicycle movement has taken off, and more cyclists are on the streets than ever. The probability of being involved in an accident will also rise. Get bicycle coverage if riding your bike is part of your everyday routine. Most bicycle insurance packages include the following benefits:
- Medical expenses
- Physical impact coverage for bicycles
- Protection for cyclists in at-fault vehicle accidents and other incidents involving physical harm
- Protection against theft
- Transit security
- Bicycle liability insurance
- Rental assistance
In California, registering your bike and getting bike insurance are not requirements like car insurance. Depending on how frequently you ride, why you use it, and how much you value it, you should decide whether to purchase bicycle insurance.
Depending on your coverage, your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance claim may cover your bicycle if it is wrecked or stolen. These plans often cover circumstances where your bicycle is stolen or damaged somewhere other than your house.
Expert Bicycle Accident Attorneys in California at Setareh Law Firm
Bicyclists in California have plenty of sunny days. They can ride their bikes all year to get some exercise or to commute to school or the workplace. Although they like cycling in the open air, they face potentially severe dangers when riding next to cars or trucks. Bicyclists have the same road rights as any other vehicle, but reckless drivers may make that journey dangerous if they don’t keep an eye out for those utilizing the bike lanes.
When a careless motorist hits a biker in California, the negligent driver’s insurance carrier is responsible for your entire recovery. If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another, contact us at Setareh Law for a free case review. Call us today at (310) 659-1826 or fill out our contact form to learn how we may assist you in maximizing your bicycle injury compensation. We also speak Spanish.