Does Auto Insurance Cover Bike Accidents?

CALL (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with a Colorado Bike Accident Lawyer AND ASK, “dOES AUTO INSURANCE COVER BIKE ACCIDENTS?”

Imagine this—you’re riding your bike along a Colorado mountain road, maybe headed toward Pike’s Peak, admiring the scenery when a car drives up next to you. The car hits you, or maybe it gets too close to you and forces you off the road. Either way, you have suffered serious injuries, and are left wondering whether you can hold that driver responsible for your damages.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bike accident while riding in Colorado, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free consultation with a Colorado bike accident attorney. We can help you seek maximum compensation for your injuries and guide you through the legal process.

What should i do after the accident?

After a bike accident, you may be shaken up and injured. As soon as possible, report the accident to the police, document the accident for yourself, and seek medical attention for your injuries.

Report the Accident

If you are in a bike accident, Colorado law requires you to provide the other people involved with your name and address. This requires you to show your driver’s license to anyone involved who asks to see it. If you are uncomfortable doing this without a police officer present or are unable to exchange information, you should call the police to come to the scene and help you.

After the accident, file a police report detailing what happened. If you call the police, an officer will come to the scene to obtain information about what happened and who was involved. The officer will ask you and any witnesses questions. Any information the officer collects will be included in the accident report.

It is not guaranteed that an officer will be dispatched to the scene, especially if the accident was minor; if the police do not come to the scene, you can still report the accident by going to the nearest police station or by filling out a form online. Before leaving the scene, provide any other people involved with your name, phone number, and insurance information. If you choose to fill out a report online, you must do so within 60 days of the accident.

Once a report is filed, you can request a copy of it online; this requires you to pay a small fee and to fill out a Requestor Release and Affidavit of Intended Use. The Requestor Release and Affidavit of Intended Use can be found online at the Colorado DMV website. After you complete the form, and specify your intended use for requesting a copy, it takes about 90 days to receive a copy of the report in your mailbox.

Document the Accident

When you are able to, document the accident for your own records. This may include taking photos of:

• Where the accident occurred
• Damage done to your bicycle or protective gear
• Damage done to the motor vehicle
• Injuries you suffered

You may also want to write down in your cell phone or on paper the time of the accident and how it happened. Even if the police collect the vehicle driver’s contact and insurance information, you should also be sure to document this. You may also want to document the make and model, license plate, and any other defining characteristics about the vehicle that hit you; this information may be helpful if you choose to file a claim with an insurance company or speak with a bike accident attorney in Colorado.

Seek Medical Attention

Bike accidents can be some of the most dangerous, as bikers are considered extremely vulnerable road users. One common injury suffered by victims of bike accidents is broken bones, particularly collar bones. Collar bone breaks take about 6 weeks to heal, and may require you to wear a sling.

Another common injury is muscle strains. You may be sore after being involved in a bike accident, and it is important to see a physical therapist to determine whether you need to perform any stretching or strengthening exercises before resuming normal activities. You may also want to see an osteopathic doctor to help relieve any muscle pain or aches you may be suffering as a result of the accident.

A less severe, but still common, injury you may experience is road rash. Road rash is like a big cut, and occurs when you fall off your bike and slide across the road. Clean this wound as soon as possible to prevent infection and see a doctor to determine whether your road rash requires additional treatment.

It is important you wear a helmet while riding a bike, but even if you are wearing a helmet it is still possible to get a concussion as a result of a bike accident. Concussion symptoms might not arise immediately. If, after the accident, your bike helmet is cracked, this may indicate that you suffered a head injury.

Common symptoms of concussions include headaches, ringing in your ears, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, or blurry vision. If you are experiencing any of these after your bike accident, see a doctor to determine whether you have a concussion and how to best treat it.