Does My Car Insurance Policy Cover Bike Injuries?

With the launch of Boston's New Balance Hubway bike-sharing program and the enactment of new bike laws in Massachusetts, the volume of cyclists on the road has greatly increased. While the Hubway system and the newly enacted laws will promote the sport in the area, the resulting increase in cyclists sharing the road with other riders and vehicles increases the probability of injury for cyclists.

When a cyclist is injured while riding his or her bike, many questions arise pertaining to insurance coverage. Certain automobile insurance coverage can be purchased on your car insurance policy in order to provide you with compensation should you be involved in a bike accident. Automobile insurance plans with "uninsured motorist coverage" and "underinsured motorist coverage" provide the policy holder with coverage in the event that the driver who injured him or her does not have any insurance or inadequate coverage.

Although Massachusetts law requires drivers to purchase car insurance, many motorists select a plan with minimal coverage. If you are hit by a motorist carrying minimal insurance while cycling, his or her car insurance may not cover the cost of your injuries. When a cyclist is hit by a vehicle and the cost of his or her injuries exceeds the coverage of the motorist's insurance plan, the cyclist can make a claim on his or her own automobile insurance policy if through "uninsured motorist coverage" and/or "underinsured motorist coverage." In the event that the other driver has no insurance policy whatsoever, an injured cyclist can make a claim under their uninsured motorist coverage. If, on the other hand, the motorist's automobile insurance coverage is insufficient to cover your injuries, an injured cyclist can file a claim under their underinsured motorist coverage. Cyclists should strongly consider adding this type of coverage to their car insurance plans if they have not done so already.

In addition to uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, cyclists can also purchase "Medical Payment" insurance coverage on their own automobile insurance plans. Medical payment coverage will pay an injured cyclist for treatment deductibles and co-payments as the policy holder. Having medical payment coverage on your car insurance plan is optional and may prove to be extremely helpful in the unfortunate event of a bicycle accident.

It is important to note that insurance coverage varies from policy to policy. For this reason, cyclists should review their policy and contact their insurance company to ensure that they have adequate coverage on their automobile insurance plans.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bike accident, it is wise to hire an experienced Greater Boston Bicycle Accident Lawyer to handle your case. With over 40 years of experience, the MA law firm of Altman & Altman, LLP has represented thousands of personal injury clients. Our skillful team of bike accident attorneys will review your insurance policy and the policy of the motorist involved in the accident in order to file a claim on your behalf and get you the compensation that you are entitled to.

At Altman & Altman, we understand the enormous impact that a bike accident has on victims and their families. With these difficulties in mind, our team of MA bike accident attorneys will outline all of your options and will fully explain your legal rights. Our firm has the resources and experience necessary to take on large insurance companies. If an acceptable settlement cannot be reached, our team of MA bike accident lawyers will not hesitate to take your case to trial.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a bike accident, please contact the law firm of Altman & Altman, LLP to schedule a Free Initial Consultation with one of our experienced bicycle accident attorneys.

Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition to being available around the clock, all emails sent to the law firm of Altman & Altman receive an immediate response.