In most cases, automobile insurance will cover damages sustained in a bicycle accident. This includes coverage on your own auto policy as well as liability insurance that a driver who may be involved in the accident possesses. How "bicycle accident insurance" works will largely depend on who caused the accident and the damages you've sustained.
Check your policy and that of any drivers involved in your Tacoma bicycle wreck for case-specific information. Of course, Max Meyers Law offers free consultations where we'll go over your options for recovering damages in the event of a bike accident. You can set up your appointment by calling .
PIP and Uninsured Motorist Coverage for Bicycle Accident Claims
Personal injury protection (PIP) covers injury-related expenses if you are in an accident, regardless of which party is to blame for the wreck. It may also extend to injuries you sustain if you are involved in a traffic accident while bicycling. So if you are involved in a wreck with a vehicle, you may recover compensation from your PIP coverage – up to policy limits – regardless of who caused the accident.
If your auto insurance policy includes uninsured motorist coverage, you may be able to file a claim for compensation if the motorist involved in your accident does not have insurance coverage. Meanwhile underinsured motorist coverage can cover any damages not covered by the at-fault motorist's insurance.
Bicycle Accident Claims and the Other Motorist’s Insurer
If the motorist involved in your accident was negligent and caused the accident, then you may file a claim against the motorist’s insurance company. Washington requires motorists carry a minimum amount of liability insurance, which covers injury- and property damage-related expenses that others incur because of the policyholder's negligence.
Currently, motorists must carry the following.
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $10,000 property damage liability per accident
If you are involved in an accident that a motorist caused, get the motorist's insurance information and report the accident to the insurance company. You can then start the claims process to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and more.
If you suffered significant damages and injuries, then it may be in your best interests to seek legal help from a bike accident lawyer.
Your Own Health Insurance May Cover Injuries in a Bike Accident
In some cases, you may be involved in a bicycle accident that does not involve a motorist. For example, you might simply lose your balance and fall off the bike. If nobody else is at fault and you were not in a traffic accident, then your health insurance may provide coverage of medical bills you incur. But you may have to meet your deductible and make copayments.
Your health insurance may also help even if another insurer is involved, though your health insurance may seek to recover compensation from the other insurance company for the medical bills it pays. If you find yourself in this situation, talk to your attorney about how subrogation works in your case.
Call Max Meyers Law for Legal Help in Tacoma
A bicycle accident claim can help you recover compensation for medical costs, lost wages and other expenses resulting from an injury, in addition to pain and suffering damages. For help filing a claim after a bicycle accident, speak with bicycle accident lawyer Max Meyers. Call us at 425-399-7000 or use our contact form if you need to set up a consultation after a Tacoma bicycle accident.