Just like in a car wreck, the at-fault party and their insurance company are responsible for paying for the damages caused in a bicycle accident. Those damages include both property damage and personal injury damages.
Property damage includes not only damage to the bike, but also any damage to the bicyclist’s helmet, clothes, and other items which may have been damaged as a result of the accident.
The bicyclist’s personal injuries include medical expenses and general damages, such as pain and suffering, lost wages, and disability. Just like car accidents, however, it is important to note that the at-fault insurance company is not required to pay for the injured bicyclist’s medical expenses as they are incurred and do not have to pay the medical providers directly. In other words, the at-fault insurance company does not “pay as you go.” Instead, the injured person must pay their own medical bills (or use their own health insurance to do so).
At the end of the case however, all of the medical expenses you incurred as a result of the bicycle accident are included in your demand to the at-fault insurance company. Besides an at-fault motorist, there may be other causes for a bicycle accident such as a roadway condition or even another bicyclist. Finally, depending on the circumstances, your own auto insurance may provide coverage to you following a bicycle accident, even if you are not in your car. This all depends on what type of coverage you have. It is important to consult with an experienced bicycle accident attorney in order to review the facts of your case.
Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Bicycle Or Pedestrian Accident?
If you've been hurt in a pedestrian or bicycle accident you need to speak with an experienced pedestrian injury lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help families throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.