I am a bicyclist and am injured by a vehicle. What are my options

When the subject of car accidents comes up, the image that enters most individuals’ minds is often that of two or more vehicles involved in a fender bender or worse. This is, of course, not always the case. Sometimes you might be riding your bicycle, for example, and end up being hit by a vehicle. When this happens, the injuries can be severe, as can the damage to your property. You might be wondering what you can do to help cover your medical expenses and property compensation.

Much as two drivers can file personal injury claims against each other when they are in an accident, so can a bicyclist file a claim against the driver of the vehicle that hit them.

Contact Insurers First

Before making the decision to pursue compensation in court, you should try to reach out to the driver’s insurance company and filing a claim. This is known as a third party claim, and it can help you recover compensation for lost income, medical treatment, pain and suffering, and the replacement or repair of your vehicle. This is, in fact, the most common way to settle personal injury cases.

To pursue a claim against the driver’s insurance company, you will want to do a few things. First of all, seek medical treatment for your injuries and keep track of them. That means that you should keep a record detailing your medical treatments, expenses, and contacts in order to determine exactly how much money you have spent as a result of the accident. Make sure that you also get a property valuation regarding your bicycle, take photos of the property that has been damaged, and obtain a copy of the police report (if applicable).

You should consider speaking with a personal injury attorney at this point to determine your best course of action, especially if you were seriously hurt. They can also help you put together a demand letter to submit to the driver’s insurance company that details the injuries and damages you have suffered and lays out what exactly you are looking to recover.

Determining Fault

While it might seem like the driver of the vehicle in question is the obvious at-fault party here, that is not always the case. It might seem strange that one could be hit by a heavy vehicle while riding a bicycle and still be found at fault, however that could be the case. The rules of the road are still applicable even when the parties in question include a vehicle and a bicycle. This is another reason why reaching out to an experienced attorney can greatly help with your case.

Are you interested in filing a personal injury claim after being hit while riding your bicycle? Our experienced attorneys can help! Reach out today for more information.