Many scenarios and facts must be addressed after experiencing injuries in a bicycle-related accident. Each scenario has a different method of compensating the injured party.
At Fault Vehicle Driver
If the driver of the vehicle is at-fault for the accident, their liability car insurance policy will cover a majority of the medical expenses and losses incurred by the injured party. However, if these expenses exceed the policy limits, the injured party may have to take legal action to receive compensation for their medical care and related costs. In some cases, the cyclist’s car insurance may also be used to cover expenses.
At Fault Bicycle Driver
If it’s established that the driver of the bicycle was at-fault for the accident, their auto insurance policy would only cover the injuries if an optional personal injury protection or medical payment coverage plan is present in the policy. However, this policy will have limits, and the remaining balance of any medical costs will be the responsibility of the cyclist.
Uninsured Motorist or Med Pay Policy Coverage
In some cases, the bicyclist will have uninsured motorist protection or Med Pay riders on their insurance policy. If this is the case, these types of insurance will also be used to cover the costs of medical care up to the policy limits. It should be understood, however, that not all policies automatically come with this coverage and most people decline these coverages as a way to save on their insurance premiums.