If you were injured in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to coverage under the at-fault driver’s car insurance policy. Even if you don’t have car insurance, you can—and should—file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer. An experienced Birmingham bicycle accident attorney can help, and you pay nothing out of pocket to hire an attorney to handle your insurance claim.
Just like drivers and passengers, cyclists in Alabama have clear legal rights. You have a right to your share of the road, and when a reckless or distracted driver hits you, you can seek insurance coverage for your injury-related losses.
As a result, if a reckless or distracted driver hits you, you can—and should—file a claim with the driver’s insurance company. Car insurance covers bicycle accidents, and injured cyclists can seek compensation for their medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other losses.
How Do I File a Car Insurance Claim After a Bicycle Accident in Alabama?
If you need to file an insurance claim after a bicycle accident in Alabama, take these important steps promptly. To protect your legal rights, you should:
- Seek Treatment Promptly – This is important for your physical recovery and for proving the cause and timing of your injuries.
- Keep as Much Evidence as Possible – Keep your bike (no matter how damaged it is), your helmet, the clothing you were wearing at the time of the accident, and any photos or videos you took before or after the accident.
- Hire an Attorney to Represent You – Filing a car accident claim after a bicycle accident is complex, so it’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side.
Once you hire an attorney, they can get to work on your claim right away. Among other things, this will involve:
1. Conducting an On-Scene Investigation
Proving you are entitled to insurance coverage involves gathering evidence that the driver who hit you was at fault. This starts with conducting an on-scene investigation.
2. Gathering Evidence Through Other Means
In addition to an on-scene investigation, your attorney may need to gather evidence through other means. Traffic camera footage, cell phone records, social media posts, and eyewitness testimony can all be important evidence in bicycle accident cases.
3. Filing Your Insurance Claim
Once your attorney has collected enough evidence to determine that you are entitled to coverage, they can file your insurance claim on your behalf. Your attorney will also communicate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company going forward.
4. Documenting the Losses You Are Entitled to Recover
Another critical step in the process of filing an insurance claim after a bicycle accident is documenting the losses you are entitled to recover. This includes not only your medical bills and other out-of-pocket expenses, but also your lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other financial and non-financial losses.
5. Negotiating for a Fair Insurance Settlement
After you thoroughly document your losses (both present and future), your attorney can negotiate a fair settlement. If the at-fault driver’s insurance company offers a settlement, your attorney will help you decide whether to accept it.
What Else Should I Know About Filing an Insurance Claim?
Even if you are clearly entitled to insurance coverage for your bicycle accident, you should not expect the at-fault driver’s insurance company to treat you fairly. Insurance companies put their own financial interests first, which means their goal is to pay accident victims as little as possible. When you hire an experienced Birmingham bicycle accident attorney, your attorney will have your best interests in mind and use his or her experience to help ensure you receive a just outcome.
FAQs: Filing a Bicycle Accident Claim with the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Company
Does car insurance cover bicycle accidents in Alabama?
Yes, car insurance covers bicycle accidents in Alabama. If a negligent driver with car insurance hits you, you can—and should—file a claim for coverage.
How can I make sure I receive the full coverage that is available to me?
To ensure you receive the full coverage available to you, start by understanding the long-term effects of your bicycle accident. Once you know how much you deserve to recover for medical care, lost earnings, and other financial and non-financial losses, you can make an informed decision about when to resolve your claim.
Should I hire an attorney to help with my insurance claim?
Yes, if you need to file an insurance claim after a bicycle accident, we strongly recommend hiring an experienced attorney to represent you. As discussed above, an experienced attorney can help in several important ways, and in this scenario, you pay nothing out of pocket.
How Our Law Firm Can Help
Our practice is devoted to helping accident victims in Alabama recover just compensation. If you were injured in a bicycle accident that was someone else’s fault, we can use our experience to fight for the full compensation you deserve. We’ll handle the at-fault driver’s insurance company for you and help you make informed, confident decisions every step of the way.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Birmingham Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
Do you need help recovering your losses after a bicycle accident in Alabama? If so, we strongly encourage you to contact us right away. To speak with an experienced Birmingham bicycle accident attorney about your claim as soon as possible, call 205-855-2745 or request a free consultation online now.