Bicycle Accidents For Those Without a Car

For some, they have managed to break free of the auto dependency that consumes most people. The stars have aligned and these people are able to get everywhere they need to go on their bicycle. As such, they don’t have much need for a car. However, this can present a unique problem. Without a car, you also have no need for auto insurance, something that in the event of an bicycle accident, can be helpful.

Insurance

In truth, even if you are a cyclist, it might be beneficial to have auto insurance even if you don’t have a car. These policies can be helpful in the event of an accident. Don’t just depend on the fact that you can get the motorist’s insurance to cover the accident.

It is crucial to remember that not all accidents are caused by motorists. Many of them are, for certain, but a cyclist can be just as responsible in some accidents, and as such, may be barred from insurance coverage as the party at fault. So even if you have become free from the burden of a car, you may want to think twice before becoming free from auto insurance.

Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Have you been hurt in a cycling accident? Regardless who was at fault, we can help you. If you have been injured or your bike has been totaled, contact us today to see what the Law Office of Gary Brustin can do for you. As a cyclist himself, Gary Brustin understands how dangerous the roads can be for us. As such, he has dedicated his life to seeing that a cyclist’s rights in an accident are preserved.

 

What to Do if the Driver That Hit You Doesn’t Have Insurance?

We don’t get to choose who we get into an accident with. If it were up to any cyclist, they would not get into an accident in the first place, but it happens. When it does, because of the very nature of both motor vehicles and bicycles, when they do get into an accident with each other, the damage to the cyclist and their bicycle is often extensive. Even minor accidents are likely to mean a very costly bicycle repair. Typically, when involved in an accident that is not our fault, cyclists rely on the driver’s insurance to cover the damages, but what if that driver has no insurance?

While there are less uninsured drivers on the road than ever thanks to the law that states drivers must have the minimum coverage, there is still a percentage that driver without insurance anyway. While you may think this makes you out of luck for coverage, if you also have auto insurance coverage yourself, you may still have options. The uninsured driver coverage in your policy will cover your damages if the other driver doesn’t have insurance. However, this is only true if the accident was the driver’s fault.

If you do not have auto insurance because you solely ride your bicycle, if the driver does not have insurance, you maintain the right to sue them from your damages. Often courts will lean much more in your favor and the driver will likely face additional punishment for not following the law.

While it is less likely you will get in an accident with an uninsured driver, there is still a large chance you will get into an accident. In this situation, you will want an advocate in your corner to make sure you get the compensation that you deserve. If you are a cyclist and have been in an accident, contact us today.

Does Auto Insurance Cover Bicycle Damage?

While we have a whole checklist of things to check before riding, checking our insurance coverage probably isn’t one of them. In fact, most of us would probably rather read the dictionary than what our insurance covers. However, it isn’t until you get into a bicycle accident that you begin to wonder, does auto insurance cover bicycle damage?

The short and probably surprising answer is that yes, it does. This usually catches people off-guard since a bicycle doesn’t have a motor. However, when we buy automobile insurance, we are not only buying protection in case we harm others with our automobile, but also if other automobiles harm us. This doesn’t matter if you are in an automobile or on a bicycle, as long as the crash happened with at least one automobile it should be covered by insurance. In many cases, except for the event in which the driver actually drives off without exchanging information, the automobile driver’s insurance will pay for any damages to the bicycle. However, if they do drive off, your UM coverage (uninsured/underinsured coverage) will cover the damage as a sort of hit and run situation.

If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident, you may need more than auto insurance to cover all your damages. Not only might your bike be trashed, but you could be seriously injured as well. If this is the case, contact us today so the Law Office of Gary Brustin can help get you and cyclists like you the justice they deserve in a world still learning to share the road.