California Bicycle Accident Insurance

Are Bicyclists Required to Have Bicycle Insurance in California?

Whether you’re saving money, the environment, or just working out, bicycling has become a fashionable trend in California. According to the American Community Survey, Los Angeles is listed as the 4th city in the nation with the most bicyclists. The City of Angels has over 20,495 residents who use bicycles as a source for transportation. The amount of riders continues to increase, especially in urban areas.  In a populated city, anything can happen. You may be curious as to who is liable for a bicycle accident. If you are interested in making an insurance claim or would like to know what to do after getting into a crash, you can reach out to West Coast Trial Lawyers. Our Los Angeles bicycle accident attorneys have over 60 years of collective legal experience in handling personal injury claims. We are always available to answer any questions you may have about bicycle accident insurance and your rights as a cyclist.   To schedule a free consultation at our Los Angeles personal injury law firm, please contact our 24/7 legal team by calling 213-927-3700 or filling out our quick contact form.

What Happens After a Bike Accident?

After following the appropriate steps of what to do after a bicycle accident, you need to understand who will pay for your injuries. It all depends on whether the cyclist or the driver was at-fault. The burden is always on the plaintiff to prove that the driver was negligent.  Generally, a bicyclist’s personal health insurance will cover the costs of an accident. Some of these policies may even include work-loss coverage, among other benefits. If the driver is at-fault and the cyclist has no insurance, the driver’s uninsured/underinsured insurance policy should cover the costs.     

Do You Need Bicycle Accident Insurance?

Unlike car insurance, it is not mandatory to register your bike or purchase bike insurance in California. Whether you should get bicycle insurance or not depends on how often you use your bike, the reason you use your bike, and how important your bike is to you.  Depending on your policy, your homeowners or renters insurance claim could potentially cover your bicycle in the event that it is damaged or stolen. These policies usually extend reimbursement to situations where your bike is stolen or damaged somewhere other than your home.

Bicyclist Insurance Claims and Policies 

The bicycle trend has boomed and more cyclists are flooding the streets. The likelihood of getting into an accident will increase, as well. Because California has one of the highest cyclist mortality rates in the country, cities such as San Francisco are pushing for mandatory bike insurance and registration.  If your bicycle is part of your daily routine, get bicycle insurance. The benefits that most bicycle insurance policies include:

• Medical payments 
• Bicycle physical damage coverage, including spare parts
• Protection for cyclists involved in an at-fault car accident and other types of collisions where there is bodily injury
• Coverage against theft 
• Roadside assistance 
• Transit protection 
• Bicycle liability protection 
• Rental reimbursement 
• Competitive event fee reimbursement 

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you have sustained injuries as a result of a bicycle accident, you have the right to hold the guilty party accountable. Our skilled bicycle accident attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers can help you recover compensation for the losses you have suffered, including medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering from your injury.  Contact us today by calling 213-927-3700 or filling out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with our experienced, caring and compassionate legal team.