Insurance Claims After a Bicycle Accident
Hit by a car while riding your bike? Need help with the insurance claim?
You’ve come to the right place.
Bicycle accidents are no joke. Every year nearly 1,000 bicyclists die on our nation’s roads in crashes involving a motor vehicle. And chances are you’ll be dealing with at least one insurance company.
The problem?
Insurance companies are not on your side. They’re big corporations that want to pay you as little as possible. And if you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll get low-balled on your settlement.
That’s where this guide comes in.
This post will walk you through filing an insurance claim after a bicycle accident. It covers all the steps you need to protect your rights and get the best settlement possible.
Let’s get started…
Table of Contents
- Why Insurance Companies Are Out To Screw You
- The Real Value Of Your Bicycle Accident Claim
- The Documentation You Need To Win Your Case
- Insurance Claim Mistakes To Avoid
- Call A Little Rock Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
Why Insurance Companies Are Out To Screw You
Let’s get something straight first.
Insurance adjusters are not here to help you. They are trained professionals whose job is to minimize your payout. Protect the insurance company’s bottom line.
Here’s an eye-opening fact…
When most cyclists file an insurance claim after an accident, they accept the first settlement offer. This is a big mistake.
Insurance companies know that the average bicycle accident settlement varies from $10,000 to $100,000, depending on injury severity.
They play a game with you. They make a low offer that they think you’ll accept and get out of their way.
And because you’re stressed out, in pain and dealing with high medical bills and lost wages, this offer will be tempting. But by accepting it, you won’t get enough money for all of your injuries and losses.
But if you work with a Little Rock bicycle accident lawyer, you have a chance to change the game. A bicycle accident lawyer knows how insurance companies play and will counteract their tactics to get you a fair settlement.
The Real Value Of Your Bicycle Accident Claim
Think your claim is only about bike repairs?
Think again. The true value of a bicycle accident claim is much more than the cost of your damaged bike and gear. You can ask for compensation in four main categories:
- Medical expenses: Emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and future medical costs.
- Lost wages: Time off work to recover and loss of earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain and emotional distress during recovery.
- Property damage: Cost of repairing or replacing your bicycle, helmet, cycling gear, and other personal property.
The insurance company will try to argue that:
- Your injuries were not as bad as you claim.
- You didn’t really need as much medical treatment.
- You didn’t really lose as much money from missed work.
- Your bike and gear were not as expensive as you claim.
Don’t fall for it.
The actual value depends on your case circumstances. The more severe your injuries, the higher the settlement. Even minor injuries that cause long-term problems can result in higher settlements.
The Documentation You Need To Win Your Case
Now for a little-known fact about bike accident insurance claims…
The strength of your claim depends on your documentation. Without enough proof, the insurance company will tear your claim apart. They will find a way to reduce the settlement or deny your claim.
To win your case, you need solid evidence. Here’s what you should gather right after the accident:
- Police reports and accident documentation
- Medical records and treatment documentation
- Witness statements and evidence
Police Reports & Accident Documentation
Always call the police right after your accident even if you think your injuries are minor. Having a police report that describes the accident and assigns fault will be the foundation of your claim.
Medical Records & Treatment Documentation
See a doctor immediately after the accident. No, not tomorrow. No, not next week. Right after.
Why?
Insurance companies will argue your injuries were not serious if you didn’t seek immediate treatment. They will say your injuries have nothing to do with the accident.
Get your medical records and keep a detailed log of all treatment. Include:
- Every doctor’s visit
- All treatment and procedures
- Medications prescribed
- Physical therapy
- Follow-up appointments
Witness Statements & Evidence
If anyone witnessed your accident, get their names and contact information and written statements. Take photos of:
- The accident scene
- Your injuries
- Vehicle damage
- Road conditions
- Traffic signs and signals
Insurance Claim Mistakes To Avoid
Here are the biggest mistakes cyclists make with insurance claims after accidents.
1. Never give a recorded statement without legal advice
Insurance adjusters will call you shortly after the accident asking for a recorded statement. They will act friendly and helpful.
Don’t do it.
A recorded statement is a verbatim account, and they will use it against you later. Politely decline and tell them you’d be happy to provide a statement after talking to your lawyer.
2. Don’t accept the first settlement offer
Insurance companies know how much bicycle accident settlements can be, and they will almost always make a low first offer.
That low offer will be on the low end of the scale.
Insurance companies make these offers because they know people are in pain and have high medical bills. So the initial offer will seem like a lifesaver.
But remember: once you accept a settlement, you can’t go back and ask for more later. Not because you found another injury. Not because your medical bills were higher than expected. That’s it. You’re done.
Never accept a first settlement offer without properly evaluating it.
3. Never admit fault or apologize
You’ve had an accident, you’re at the scene, and you feel terrible. So you apologize. You’re being polite.
But by apologizing, you just admitted fault. And when it comes to insurance claims, this will be used against you.
Insurance companies will work hard to prove you were at least partially at fault. And they will do their best to increase your fault percentage.
4. Not reporting the accident to your insurance
Another common mistake is not reporting the accident to your insurance. If you’re hurt, your bike is damaged, and the accident was not your fault, it may seem pointless to call your own insurance.
But your insurance company has a duty to represent you and protect your rights. If you don’t notify them, they will not be able to help you.
Call A Little Rock Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
Bicycle accident insurance claims can be very tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing. That’s why you should consider getting a Little Rock bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
A qualified attorney will help you get the best settlement possible and protect your rights throughout the process. With bicycle fatalities having increased 53% in the last 10 years, having experienced legal representation is more important than ever. If you’re in a bicycle accident, don’t hesitate to contact a lawyer and get the compensation you deserve.
