11 Things You Need to Know About a Bicycle Accident Insurance Claim in San Antonio

Share on social:

Cycling is a great way to get some fresh air, exercise, and save on gas money. So it’s no surprise that bike commuting is increasing in popularity. But even with dedicated bike lanes and increased awareness of cyclists, motor vehicle accidents are still a serious concern. While San Antonio has made great strides in becoming more bike-friendly, the city is one of the nationā€™s most dangerous for bicycle riders– leading to high levels of bicycle accident insurance claims.

Many of our bicycle accident lawyers are avid cyclists, so we know how easy it is to have a near-miss or accident with a car. Unfortunately, when a bicycle and motor vehicle collide, the cyclist often suffers serious injuries.

After a car accident, cyclists should make an insurance claim to help their pay medical bills or damages. If you have serious injuries from a wreck, keep reading. We’ll explain our bike laws and outline how a free consultation with a San Antonio bicycle accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Here are 11 things you need to know about your bicycle accident insurance claim:

1. Seek Medical Treatment Immediately

Regardless of whether you think you have any serious injuries or an insurance claim, you should seek medical treatment after a car accident.

Adrenaline can mask the pain of injuries. Even if you do not feel like something is wrong, you may be hurt. This is especially true for bicycle accidents. You may not realize that youā€™re badly injured because you attribute the pain to general soreness.

Delaying treatment is not only bad for your long-term health, but it’s also bad for your insurance claim. Many people resist going to the doctor at first, expecting their pain to get better on its own. They may put up with days or even weeks of discomfort, with no improvement, before seeking help.

The longer you wait, the harder it is to prove that the bike crash caused your injuries. And this gives the insurance company a chance to accuse you of either exaggerating your symptoms or trying to get them to cover an unrelated injury.

RELATED: 5 Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

2. Document Everything You Can About Your Bicycle Accident Insurance Claim

Insurance companies are more concerned about their profits than fair payouts to claimants. So, they’ll look for any potentially valid reason to reduce or deny your bicycle accident claim. You, or your bicycle accident attorney, may need to build a case to show that you were not at fault.

The easiest time to collect the evidence is right after the accident. If possible, gather all the information you can, including:

  • Information on anyone involved in the accident, including their driverā€™s license and insurance details
  • Names and contact info for any witnesses
  • Photos or videos of the scene, which will help reconstruct the accident later if needed
  • Accident and police reports

The more documentation you can provide, the easier it will be to build your case.

A bicycle accident attorney can help you continue to gather and build evidence even after the incident. For example, a lawyer might preserve security camera footage, follow up with eyewitnesses, or consult with experts. But the sooner you contact a lawyer, the more likely they can help you.

3. Insurance Coverage Often Depends on Who Is at Fault

Texas is an at-fault state, so the at-fault party (usually via their insurance company) is responsible for paying out.

In many bike accidents, the driver of the car is at fault, so the driver’s insurance company should cover your injuries. If the cyclist is at fault, however, their homeowners or renterā€™s insurance policy may cover injuries, as well as other vehicles’ property damage.

Determining fault can be challenging. Sometimes, the fault may be split between multiple negligent parties. This is why it is important to document every detail about an accident if you are able.

In one case that Crosley Law took on, a cyclist named Wayne was hit by an 18-wheeler. Unfortunately, he lost his life. The truck driver said that Wayne ran a stop sign and was to blame. Without other witnesses, the police believed the trucker. Wayneā€™s family was heartbroken,. They knew that Wayne was a very careful cyclist and did not believe he would have been reckless. They knew they would need a lawyer to help them prove what really happened.

Tom Crosley took on the familyā€™s case. After an extensive investigation, he found that the 18-wheeler had cracked axles, bad brakes, and a nonfunctional turn signal. Authorities had even revoked the truck driverā€™s license. Neither the truck nor the driver should have been on the road!

Crosley Lawā€™s investigation proved that Wayne was riding carefully, as he always did, when the truck turned without proper warning due to the broken turn signal. Because of Tom Crosleyā€™s hard work and diligence, the insurance companies settled with Wayneā€™s family for over $1 million.

RELATED CLIENT STORY: A Cyclist Loses His Life in a Truck Wreck: Wayne C.ā€™s Story

4. You May Have to File Claims With Multiple Insurance Companies

Even when the other driver is 100% responsible for the crash, the full amount of your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages might exceed their auto insurance policy limits. Texas only requires that drivers carry $30,000 per person in injury liability insurance. Although this might sound like a lot, it won’t go far if you need multiple surgeries or lose significant time at work.

When liability coverage limits aren’t enough, other insurance companies or supplemental insurance policies may help with compensation if they are available. These may include your own uninsured and underinsured motorist (UI/UIM), personal injury protection (PIP) or MedPay policies. Yes, you might need to file a bicycle accident claim with your own auto insurance– even though you were on your bicycle rather than driving your car.

If the driver was working at the time of the accidentā€”for example, as a delivery truck driverā€”the employerā€™s insurance policy would provide another source of liability coverage. Companies typically have much higher coverage limits than personal policies.

Crosley Law represented the family of a young cyclist who was struck by a delivery truck driver and suffered significant, lasting brain injuries. The lifetime cost of his medical care was estimated at $12 million. After pouring our hearts and souls into this case (and investing more hours than any other case at the firm) over nearly 3 years, we were able to reach a confidential settlement that will provide for his long-term care.

A skilled lawyer will find out which policies can kick in additional coverage when youā€™ve been the victim in an accident.

RELATED CLIENT STORY: Crosley Law Settles Major Brain Injury Case: Raymondā€™s Story

5. Many Drivers Are Uninsured (or Flee the Scene)

Even though Texas drivers are legally required to purchase liability insurance, not everyone follows the law. According to a 2021 study by the Insurance Research Council, approximately 8.3 percent of Texas drivers are uninsured. Research also shows that drivers are more likely to flee the scene after a collision with a pedestrian or cyclist. Outside magazine tracked nearly 700 cyclist deaths in the United States in 2020 and found that more than 1 in 4 of those fatal accidents were hit and runs.

If you are the victim of an accident with an uninsured driver or a hit and run, will you get any help with your medical bills?

If you know the identity of the driver, you might sue them directly. But if a driver is not paying for insurance, they often won’t have the funds to compensate you for injuries and damages associated with your bicycle accident claim.

In these scenarios, you will likely need to look to your own auto insurance policy. Your uninsured motorist coverage can act as a substitute for the liability insurance that should have been available to you, and help you pay for your medical bills and pain and suffering. PIP and MedPay can also help cover some of your financial costs.

6. Insurers Will Try to Settle for Less Than Your Bicycle Accident Insurance Claim Is Worth

Insurance companies are not working for your best interests. The less they pay out in benefits, the higher their profits. This means that even if you have a valid claim, they will try to pay as little as possible to settle your bicycle accident insurance claim.

You should almost never accept the insurance company’s first offer. The adjuster is probably hoping that you’ll take less than you deserve.Instead, consult with a lawyer, counter with a higher (and fairer) amount.

This is an area where experience matters a lot. The insurance company knows how to calculate claims and negotiate payouts. It also understands how much it could potentially lose if your case goes to trial and the jury awards you compensation. You probably don’t. A personal injury lawyer can greatly improve your chances of reaching a fair settlement or jury verdict, particularly in complex or high-value cases (as bike accidents often are).

7. A Bicycle Accident Insurance Claim Can Cover More Than Just Medical Bills

When a motor vehicle and a bicycle get into an accident, the cyclist often suffers significant injuries that impact their daily lives for a long timeā€”and sometimes permanently. Insurance, however, may try to compensate you only for your medical bills, with little else to acknowledge other kinds of damage and trauma.

You could be entitled to coverage for much more than that. Other kinds of economic losses you may be able to claim, apart from current and future medical bills, include lost wages, reduced future earning capacity, and ongoing treatments.

You can also demand compensation for non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional anguish, disfigurement, or loss of enjoyment of life. These damages don’t have a fixed price tag like a medical bill, but are still a clear cause of suffering that deserves fair compensation. In many cases, a bicycle accident victim’s non-economic damages might exceed the amount of economic damagesā€”sometimes significantly so.

A good bicycle accident lawyer can calculate the full extent of your damages. Most lawyers offer a free consultation, so it doesnā€™t hurt to ask a firm like Crosley Law what your case may be worth.

8. You May Have a Property Damage Claim

You might deserve compensation for more than just your physical and emotional injuries. Many bicycles, especially e-bikes, can cost as much as a small car and are very expensive to replace.

Fortunately, insurance may also cover this property loss or damage. In Texas, drivers must carry a minimum of $25,000 in coverage for property damage. You can use this coverage to replace not only your bike, but also your helmet, clothing, and other biking accessories or gear.

9. San Antonio Law: Safe Passing Ordinance

In 2010, San Antonio passed a bike ordinance. It requires a safe distance between vehicles and vulnerable road users, including cyclists and pedestrians. This distance is 3 feet for cars, and 6 feet for commercial or large trucks. Violators are subject to fines of up to $200, though enforcement is often difficult.

If a vehicle violates this ordinance and the cyclist crashes, the driver may be at fault for the accident even if there was no direct contact. For example, if the vehicle suddenly cuts off the cyclist or forces them to swerve to avoid a collision, the driver can still be held responsible.

RELATED POST: How Can We Improve Bicycle Safety in San Antonio?

10. San Antonio Law: Bicycle Light Ordinance

San Antonio also passed a bike ordinance requiring cyclists have a front white light, and a rear red reflector or red light when operating a bicycle at dusk or at night. If you were not in compliance with this ordinance, you may be found at fault, or partially at fault, for the accident. For both legal and safety reasons, it is in your best interest to stay highly visible and behave in a defensive manner when cycling.

Consider Carlā€™s story. A witness said that Carl was not using a light, and police cited ā€œfailure to use a headlightā€ as a factor in the accident that occurred when a Ford F-350 truck ran into Carlā€™s bicycle. Carl suffered severe injuries that required ongoing medical care. Insurance tried to deny his claim, saying Carl was at fault for not using a headlight. Crosley Law did extensive research, including consulting accident reconstruction experts. We built a compelling case and took the case to trial. The jury awarded Carl $1.5 million for his injuries.

RELATED CLIENT STORY: The Crosley Law Team Secures a $1.5 Million Settlement for an Injured Bicyclist: Carl R.ā€™s Story

11. There Is a Time Limit for Filing Your Bicycle Accident Insurance Claim

In Texas, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim with insurance and file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, the insurance company has no obligation to pay for your damages.

Donā€™t wait until the statute of limitations runs out to file your accident claim. You shouldn’t even risk getting too close. It takes time to gather and evaluate the evidence and go through multiple rounds of negotiation with the insurance company. The sooner you get started, the more time you and an experienced attorney will have to build a successful personal injury case.

If You Are an Injured Cyclist, Call Crosley Law Today for a Free Consultation

Our firm has avid cyclists who know what a joyā€”and what a dangerā€”bicycles can be. If you suffered injuries in a car-bike accident, let our experienced team provide the representation you need to get the settlement you deserve.

If you have any questions about your case, schedule your free consultation with a bicycle accident lawyer at Crosley Law. You can complete our online form or call us at 210-LAW-3000 | 210-529-3000. Bike accidents can have lifelong implications, so let our team help you recover and get the care you need.

References

Insurance Research Council (22 March, 2021). One in Eight Drivers Uninsured. Retrieved from https://www.insurance-research.org/sites/default/files/downloads/UM%20NR%20032221.pdf

Whelan, L. and Fox, M. (29 January 2021). What We Learned from Tracking Cycling Deaths for a Year. Outside. Retrieved from https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/biking/what-we-learned-tracking-cycling-deaths-year/

The contentā€Æprovided here isā€Æfor informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.