Biking is a great way to stay active, enjoy the outdoors, and beat the traffic, whether you’re riding around Northbrook or commuting into Chicago. But when a bicycle ride ends in a serious accident, many injured cyclists wonder the same thing: Can my car insurance help cover my injuries?
The answer is often yes, but it depends on the specifics of your policy. Here’s what you should know about how car insurance can come into play after a bicycle accident.
How Car Insurance Can Apply
Even though you’re not driving when you’re riding a bike, certain parts of your auto insurance policy can still protect you. In Illinois, there are a few types of coverage that might apply:
- Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage: If you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance, your UM coverage can step in to help pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
- Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage: If the driver has insurance but not enough to cover all your losses, your UIM coverage can fill the gap.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Medical Payments (MedPay) Coverage: Some policies include these optional coverages, which can help pay medical expenses no matter who was at fault.
Not every policy includes all of these protections, so it’s important to check your policy details or ask your insurance agent what’s available to you.
When Car Insurance Might Cover a Bike Accident
Generally, your car insurance can cover you in a biking accident if:
- You were hit by a vehicle while riding your bike.
- The vehicle driver was at fault or didn’t have enough (or any) insurance.
- You have applicable UM, UIM, PIP, or MedPay coverage on your auto policy.
In many cases, your coverage travels with you, not just with your car. That means even though you weren’t driving when the accident happened, you may still be protected. This is especially important in busy areas like Chicago, where hit-and-run accidents involving cyclists are sadly not uncommon.
What About Health Insurance?
If your car insurance does not fully cover your injuries, your health insurance may also help pay for medical treatment after a bike crash. However, you might still face deductibles, co-pays, and limits on coverage.
Depending on your case, you may also have the right to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver to recover damages that insurance doesn’t fully cover, including pain and suffering, lost future income, and other long-term losses. Notably, your insurer may also “claw back” any paid medical expenses from a subsequent injury claim settlement.
Steps to Take After a Bike Accident
If you’re injured in a bicycle accident, taking the right steps can help protect your health and your ability to seek compensation:
- Call 911 and get medical attention immediately.
- Document the scene with photos or videos.
- Get the driver’s information, including insurance details.
- File a police report, even if the driver seems cooperative.
- Contact your own insurance company to notify them of the accident (but avoid detailed recorded statements without legal advice).
- Speak with a personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement offers.
Acting quickly helps preserve critical evidence and ensures you meet any insurance notification deadlines.
Talk to a Northbrook Injury Attorney
Bicycle accident claims can be complicated, especially when insurance companies try to deny or minimize your coverage. At Stein & Shulman, LLC, we help injured cyclists in Northbrook, Chicago, and throughout Illinois fight for the full compensation they deserve.
We can review your auto policy, identify all potential sources of coverage, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if needed, take your case to court. You shouldn’t have to deal with medical bills, lost wages, and pain alone after someone else’s negligence turns your ride into a disaster.
Contact us today for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we recover for you.
