Whether you’re an avid cyclist training for your next race or an environmentally-conscious person looking to cut down on driving, biking is a great way to get around and stay in shape. This can all change when you’re hit by a vehicle or the victim of a product malfunction while riding your bike. Sustaining bicycle injuries can affect the rest of your life. Medical bills can add up, so understanding how insurance works for bicycle injuries is crucial. Luckily, a San Angelo, Texas bicycle accident lawyer is a surefire way to ensure you can receive the compensation you deserve.
How Do Bicycle Injuries Occur?
Though they tend to be more agile than cars, unfortunately, bike injuries can be more frequent than vehicle collisions. One of the primary causes is that many drivers do not pay attention to cyclists, leading to frequent crashes. This includes opening car doors into cyclists, trying to pass bikes unsafely, and driving in bike lanes.
Similarly, product malfunctions can lead to intense injuries. These defects include broken pedal spindles, improperly placed wheels, or brake failure.
Finally, unsafe biking conditions can cause injuries, such as precarious bike trials, dangerous roadway conditions like potholes or unmarked hazards in the road, and poor visibility.
Will Insurance Cover It?
When someone is the victim of a car collision, insurance will almost always cover the damages. However, there is no bicycle insurance, which can leave uncertainty for those injured.
If you were struck by a motor vehicle, the driver’s auto insurance covers your medical bills and the repairs of the bike damages. If they do not have insurance, you will need health insurance to help cover the cost of treatment and will likely have to sue the driver for compensation for the damages sustained to your bike.
However, if you were injured as a result of unsafe road conditions, such as potholes or hazards, your health insurance will cover medical treatment. You may be able to claim damages to your bicycle under your homeowner’s policy.
How Do You Prove Negligence?
In many instances, you will need to prove negligence on the part of the entity that caused the disaster to happen. For example, if there was an improperly marked hazard in the road, gathering photo and video evidence can help fulfill the burden of proof.
It’s also recommended that cyclists wear a hands-free camera, which can help keep you safe by capturing your ride. If someone hits you, without witnesses or security footage, it could be hard to prove they were at fault. However, a camera will protect your rights, helping you receive the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured due to no fault of your own, don’t wait to reach out to The Mathis Law Firm, PLLC. We can help fight to ensure you receive the justice you deserve for injuries sustained.
