If you’re an avid bike rider, you probably do everything you can to stay as safe on the road as possible. Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are, you can’t control the actions of others – including the drivers of motor vehicles. When they make a mistake and hit a bike, the injuries suffered by the rider can be devastating.
The Eberst Law Firm will be ready to help if you or a loved one has suffered an injury after being struck by a negligent motorist. We know how to collect the evidence it takes to make our clients’ cases as strong as possible, and we also have a track record of success helping our clients obtain the money they deserve. Learn more about what we may be able to do for you by calling 888-CALL-JON or contacting us online for a free case review.
There are quite a few ways you may be able to get that compensation. Here’s a look at just some of your options.
You Receive Compensation from Your Own Personal Injury Protection Policy
If you have car insurance, then you have PIP (personal injury protection). PIP may help pay some of your expenses if you’ve been hurt in a bicycle accident. Florida law states that people who are not occupants of self-propelled vehicles, such as bicycle riders, have protection through PIP.
The problem with PIP is that it only pays 80% of your medical expenses, up to a maximum of $10,000. Your expenses will more than likely exceed that amount, so you’ll probably have to try and obtain extra compensation from the insurance company of the motorist who hit you. You’ll need an attorney to have the best chance of being successful.
You Receive Compensation from Your Own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Suppose you were hit by a motorist who doesn’t have car insurance, or whose policy won’t come close to paying for your accident-related expenses? What happens then? If your auto insurance policy includes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you may be able to get money that way.
But what if you don’t have this kind of coverage? If you live with a relative who does, there’s a chance you could make a claim under their policy. You’ll need to speak with an insurance agent to know for sure.
The Motor Vehicle Driver’s Insurance Pays for Your Damages
You might have been visiting Florida when you were hit, and you were riding a rented bicycle at the time. You’re probably not the owner of a vehicle registered in Florida, and you’re not living with anyone who has Florida auto insurance. In this case, you may be able to obtain compensation through the at-fault motorist’s PIP policy.
What if that motorist is only visiting as well, and doesn’t have a policy that will accept Florida’s PIP requirements? If that happens, there’s a good chance you’ll need to get an attorney involved.
You May Have to Rely on Your Own Health Insurance
If you have health insurance, there’s a chance your policy can also go toward paying your medical bills. You’ll need to make sure your doctors are aware that you have health insurance. Don’t neglect to tell them this just because you have PIP coverage.
It’s important to note that if your health insurance provider pays for some of your medical expenses, it may have the right to recover what they pay through any settlement you receive. An attorney can tell you more regarding whether or not this may apply in your case.
How Does a Bicycle Rider Get Personal Injury Protection or Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
If you don’t have a car, and instead you choose to use your bicycle as your primary means of transportation, you could get bicycle insurance. You might not know this even exists, but there are many riders who have this kind of coverage. They either ride a great deal, or they have a very valuable bike.
Basically, bicycle insurance works much like the average car insurance policy. You can purchase protection against injuries, as well as theft and repair costs. This kind of coverage can also protect you if you’re ever in a bicycle accident that’s your fault. In most cases, however, this will only apply to accidents that don’t involve motor vehicles. This is another instance where you’ll need to speak with an insurance agent to get the details.
If you’re only a casual rider, then your auto insurance and health insurance will provide a substantial amount of coverage. If you use your bike to commute, then you might want to consider purchasing a stand-alone bicycle policy.
Contact Eberst Law Firm to Learn More About Receiving Compensation for Your Bicycle Accident
When it comes to attorneys who represent victims of bicycle accidents, you obviously won’t have any shortage of options. How do you go about choosing the right one?
You definitely want a bicycle accident attorney who has a deep understanding of this area of the law. If you plan on taking legal action against the motorist who hit you, you’re going to need concrete evidence that the accident was the driver’s fault. A skilled attorney will have the resources needed to investigate the collision, gathering the proof it takes to make sure you have the strongest case possible.
It will also be important to hire an attorney who will do a good job of communicating with you – letting you know how your case is progressing. Your attorney should also be there with accurate, timely answers to all of your questions, and have a good idea of how much your case is worth.
At The Eberst Law Firm, our attorneys check these and many other boxes. We’re extremely familiar with bicycle accident laws, and we’ve helped many of our clients get the money they deserved for the suffering they were forced to endure.
If you would like to learn more about how we may be able to do the same thing for you, please schedule a free consultation. You can use our online contact form or call 888-CALL-JON.
