What to Do If You’re Injured in a Bicycle Hit-and-Run Accident
The freedom and joy of cycling can transform instantly when a motorist strikes you and flees the scene. In those disorienting moments after impact, pain mingles with disbelief as you realize the responsible driver has abandoned you without providing identification or assistance. Bicycle hit-and-run accidents create unique challenges for victims seeking medical treatment and compensation for their injuries. Without the at-fault driver’s insurance information, cyclists often face uncertainty about how to cover mounting medical bills and recover lost income during their recovery.
At Younglove Law Group, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial trauma bicycle hit-and-run accidents cause. Our attorneys have helped numerous cyclists navigate the complex recovery process after being injured by drivers who fled the scene.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Bicycle Hit-and-Run
The actions you take in the minutes and hours following a bicycle hit-and-run accident can significantly impact both your physical recovery and your ability to secure compensation. Despite the shock and confusion you might experience, try to follow these crucial steps.
Prioritize Your Safety and Health
Your immediate safety is paramount. If possible, move to a secure location away from traffic to prevent further injury. Assess yourself for injuries, remembering that adrenaline can mask pain temporarily. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, seek medical attention promptly. Some serious injuries, particularly head trauma and internal bleeding, might not present obvious symptoms immediately but can become life-threatening without proper treatment.
Document Everything at the Scene
If your injuries permit, document as much information as possible about the accident while your memory is fresh. Use your smartphone to photograph:
- Your injuries
- Damage to your bicycle
- The accident location, including any skid marks or debris
- Traffic signals or signs in the area
- Road conditions that might have contributed to the accident
Make notes about what you remember about the vehicle that hit you, including make, model, color, and even partial license plate information if you observed it.
Reporting the Bicycle Hit-and-Run
Proper reporting of a bicycle hit-and-run accident is essential for both legal purposes and potential compensation options.
Contact Law Enforcement Immediately
California law requires drivers to stop after an accident involving injury, but unfortunately, not everyone follows this legal obligation. Report the hit-and-run to police as soon as possible, ideally from the scene if your injuries permit. Even with limited information about the driver, filing a police report is crucial for creating an official record and potentially accessing uninsured motorist coverage on your insurance.
When speaking with police, provide all details you can remember about the vehicle and driver, no matter how insignificant they might seem. Even partial information can help identify the driver through vehicle registration databases.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company promptly to report the accident. If you have automobile insurance with uninsured motorist coverage, it might extend to situations where you are struck by a vehicle while cycling. Additionally, your health insurance can help cover immediate medical expenses while you pursue other compensation avenues.
Legal Options for Injured Cyclists After a Hit-and-Run
Despite the challenges of a hit-and-run situation, several potential avenues for compensation exist for injured cyclists.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If you have auto insurance with uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, it typically covers you even when you are cycling rather than driving. This coverage functions as if the hit-and-run driver had been identified but lacked insurance. UM coverage can provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and bicycle repair or replacement.
Health Insurance and Additional Coverage Options
Your health insurance provides the most immediate source of payment for medical treatment. If your auto insurance includes Medical Payments coverage (MedPay), it might provide additional funds for medical expenses regardless of fault, even when you are cycling rather than driving.
In some cases, your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy might include personal injury protection that extends to cycling accidents. Review your policy or consult with an attorney to determine if this option applies to your situation.
Why Legal Representation Matters in Bicycle Hit-and-Run Cases
Navigating the aftermath of a bicycle hit-and-run accident presents unique legal challenges that benefit from experienced legal guidance. An attorney can help investigate to identify the driver, using resources to canvass for additional witnesses and request security footage from businesses or traffic cameras in the vicinity.
Insurance policies contain complex language and exclusions that can be difficult to interpret. An experienced bicycle accident attorney understands how to identify all potential sources of coverage and present your claim in ways that maximize your recovery. This expertise is particularly valuable when dealing with uninsured motorist claims, which insurance companies often scrutinize heavily.
Contact Younglove Law Group for Help With Your Bicycle Hit-and-Run Case
Being injured in a bicycle hit-and-run accident leaves victims feeling vulnerable and uncertain about their recovery options. At Younglove Law Group, we have helped numerous cyclists navigate this difficult situation, often uncovering compensation sources they did not realize were available. Our attorneys understand the unique challenges of bicycle hit-and-run cases and have the resources to conduct thorough investigations aimed at identifying fleeing drivers.
If you have been injured in a bicycle hit-and-run accident, do not face this complex situation alone. Contact Younglove Law Group today at (949) 691-3660 to schedule a free consultation with an attorney who can evaluate your case and explain your legal options. Get in touch with us today.
