How do I Claim Insurance After a Bike Accident?

Posted on February 22, 2022 in Bicycle Accident

If you or somebody you love has sustained a bicycle accident injury caused by the actions of another driver in Oregon, then you should be able to recover compensation for your losses. Typically, the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier will be responsible for covering these losses. However, understanding how and when to file a claim after a bike crash occurs can be confusing.

Call the Police and Get the Incident Documented

In order to file a bicycle accident claim after the incident occurs, it is crucial for you to call the police and have them come to the scene. The police are responsible for conducting initial investigations into vehicle accidents, including bicycle accidents that result in injuries or property damage.

Any insurance carrier that you turn to, whether it be your insurance carrier or the insurance carrier of an at-fault driver, will need the accident report in order to proceed forward with the claim.

Gather Evidence at the Scene

Individuals who have not sustained severe injuries are often able to gather various types of evidence at the scene of the bicycle crash. For example, a bicyclist can use their cell phone to document the scene through videos or photos. It is important to get footage of the injuries, property damage, causes of the crash, debris and skid marks, traffic and weather conditions, and more.

Additionally, if there were any eyewitnesses to the bicycle crash, it is vital to write down their names and phone numbers as soon as possible. Eyewitnesses can provide valuable testimony to insurance carriers or to a personal injury jury if a trial becomes necessary.

Seek Medical Treatment

Bicyclists must seek medical care after being involved in an accident. This could include emergency medical care at the scene of the incident if the injuries are severe enough. However, even if the injuries do not seem severe initially, it is important for bicyclists to be evaluated by a doctor who can check for any hidden injuries. The insurance carriers will look for a link between the bicycle crash and any injuries, so the sooner you seek medical care, the better.

It is important for you to continue all medical treatment prescribed by your doctor. You should only discontinue care after a doctor says you have reached maximum improvement. Discontinuing care before this point will likely result in the insurance carrier denying part of your claim.

File a Report With Your Insurance Carrier

Even though Oregon is a fault-based state when it comes to auto insurance, every driver is required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. If you have an auto insurance policy or if you live with a family member who has one, PIP will cover your initial medical bills if you have sustained an injury in an accident caused by another driver. In Oregon, this typically means a medical bill coverage of around $15,000. Individuals will receive this minimum coverage regardless of who caused the accident.

If another driver was responsible for the incident, you still need to alert your insurance carrier and let them handle filing the claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance. However, insurance carriers are difficult to deal with, and we strongly suggest that you work with a skilled Portland bike accident attorney who can investigate the crash, determine liability, and stand by your side while recovering compensation for your losses.