This is an important question for bicycle riders involved in an accident with a motor vehicle. Few bicycle riders carry insurance, which normally would be your first source of recovery for your injuries. You might be forced to rely upon your health insurance at first, which likely includes a deductible amount that you have to pay out of your own pocket before your policy kicks in. Even after you meet the deductible, your policy might require copays by you and might also only pay a percentage, leaving you to satisfy out-of-pocket requirements.
All of that adds up to money you have to pay upfront or bills you have to leave unpaid. In such a case, you should file a claim against the other driver’s auto liability insurance quickly if you believe the other driver was at fault. You also should hire an attorney to help you pursue that claim. Even if fault is clearly on the other driver, an attorney is better qualified than you to negotiate with the other driver’s insurance adjuster to obtain the best possible settlement.
If the parties dispute fault, most people are not qualified to pursue a claim on their own, especially if they end up having to go to court. Further, in the early stages of the case, you won’t have your own auto insurance adjuster. Your health insurance company will simply pay claims per your policy, not investigate whether you were at fault. Unless you carry some kind of medical coverage for when you are on your bicycle, you’re on your own. If you want to recover for your damages, you likely will need help.
