Whether you prefer to ride a bike to work or just enjoy a casual spin on the weekend, it’s good to expect the unexpected. What happens if you are in an accident? Who covers your medical expenses? There are a few different scenarios regarding your car insurance and at-fault driver’s insurance. Here are a few options for receiving compensation after an accident
Retaining a personal injury lawyer is the best way for you to protect your legal rights after suffering personal injury during an accident. The legal team, like those at Hurwitz, Whitcher & Molloy, LLP, is here to help you and your loved ones through this difficult time.
Personal Injury Protection from Your Car Insurance
Most states require motorists to carry personal injury protection as part of their liability coverage. This coverage, referred to as PIP, may pay for:
- Medical expenses from an accident for you, your passengers and family members living in your home.
- Lost income as a result of recovering from the injury.
- Funeral expenses for you and your family member.
- The cost of child care needed while you recover.
Since your policy is responsible for this insurance, you file a claim with your provider regardless of who is at fault in the accident.
Optional MedPay from Your Car Insurance
Very few states require you to carry medical payment coverage on your insurance. Since this is optional, it may or may not be available to you after a bicycle accident. This added coverage pays for medical bills not covered by your personal health insurance. MedPay pays for items such as:
- Deductibles
- Copays
- Ambulance rides
- Rehabilitation
If you don’t have private medical insurance, this plan can also take the place of a primary source of medical insurance to pay for the majority of your expenses.
Personal Injury Insurance from the At-Fault Driver
If you don’t own a vehicle and don’t live with a family member who does, you may be eligible for payment from the at-fault driver’s PIP insurance. This situation is only viable if you don’t have access to coverage under your or a family member’s PIP insurance. If you have chosen not to purchase this coverage, you cannot access payments under the other driver’s policy.
Bodily Harm Protection from the At-Fault Driver
A fourth option to help pay your medical bills is filing a claim against the other driver’s policy. Liability insurance requires a certain amount of bodily harm coverage, which pays for medical expenses if the driver causes an accident. However, this type of coverage usually only pays a lump sum after exhausting all other payment sources.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, there are many different avenues of compensation. Contact a lawyer to help you figure out which course of action is best for your situation.
