Having an accident which impacts on your life is stressful. When you are trying to cover medical costs and need to take time off work to recover, it is important that you know what your financial options are. Personal injury attorneys help people who have been through an accident and now seek recourse from the other person who caused it. Before you meet with a personal injury attorney, there are details you need to gather so the attorney can help you with your case. These posts are all about what accident and personal injury attorneys do, what they need from you, and the different situations where using one is beneficial to your lifestyle.
While most auto accidents happen with one vehicle hitting another, you may find yourself in a situation where you're hit by a vehicle while riding a bicycle. Here is what you need to know about this type of injury situation.
Know Your Rights in Dooring Accidents
One bit of confusion can come from a very specific type of accident where a bicyclist is hit by the door of a vehicle as it is opened. This is an accident known as dooring, and it is important to know your rights so that you can react appropriately. While it may seem as if the bicyclist was the one that caused the accident by not avoiding the door, it is actually the responsibility of the driver to not open their door in the path of an oncoming bicyclist. This is especially true if the driver's side door of a car opens up onto a bike path. The driver is the one that needs to look out for anyone that could be in the path of their open door.
Know You Can Use Your Auto Insurance
If you are involved in an accident like a hit and run, know that you have some options for how you get help to pay for your injury. Even though you were riding a bicycle at the time of the accident, you may have coverage through your personal auto insurance to cover the damages that were caused. This is included under your uninsured or underinsured motorist policy, which is designed specifically for hit and run cases. This can be good to know if you do not carry health insurance, but still want assistance with your medical bills that result from the accident.
Know That Not Wearing a Helmet Doesn't Alter Liability
While it is always a good idea to wear a helmet every time you are on a bicycle, it is possible that you were involved in an accident and you weren't wearing one. The driver will likely try to blame you for your injuries because you were not wearing proper protection. Be aware that your lack of safety equipment does not make a responsible party less liable for causing the accident. You may suffer greater injuries as a result, but the responsible party is still required to pay for them. Some states have laws that hold responsible parties for all injuries, even when it is required to wear a helmet.
For more legal assistance, contact services like Schonberg Law Offices.
Share3 November 2020
