Does Auto Insurance Cover Bicycle Accidents in New York?

New York lands at No. 13 on the League of American Bicyclists’ list of bicycle-friendly states and has many communities where any bicyclist would feel right at home.

None of this means the Empire State is immune to bicycle accidents. Over 18,000 of them occur annually in New York City alone. You should practice caution when riding a bicycle in NY to avoid being involved in one.

You should also know how to address the question, “Does auto insurance cover bicycle accidents in New York?” Learn the answer below to ensure you’re protected if you’re ever in a bad bicycle accident in New York.

Auto Insurance Covers Bicycle Accidents in New York in Many Cases

New York is one of the nation’s 12 no-fault states when it comes to auto insurance. New Yorkers must sign up for no-fault car insurance, also referred to as personal injury protection or PIP, since New York laws call for those involved in car accidents to file claims through their own auto insurance companies instead of other drivers’ insurance companies.

This no-fault insurance policy should also provide you with bicycle accident coverage. If you’re ever hit by a car while riding your bike, you can file bicycle accident insurance claims through your insurance company to cover medical bills and other costs resulting from the accident.

Every no-fault insurance policy is a little different, so you shouldn’t just assume you have a car insurance bike accident policy in place before heading out for a bicycle ride. But even if you have a basic insurance policy, it should include specific verbiage about the bicycle accident liability insurance it extends when you’re wondering, “Does auto insurance cover bicycle accidents in New York?”

You Can Also Take Legal Action After New York Bike Accidents in Some Instances

The trouble with using vehicle insurance for a cycling accident is that it’s often capped at a certain point. Because of this, it might not cover costly medical expenses if you sustain serious injuries during a bicycle accident.

But not to worry. If you suffer life-altering injuries during a bicycle accident, you may also have the right to take legal action against the at-fault party in your crash. Examples of such injuries include:

• Fractured bones
• Loss of limbs
• Disfigurement
• Organ damage
• Head, neck, and back injuries

Generally speaking, you can file a bicycle accident lawsuit anytime you suffer injuries that lead to long-term disabilities. You may want to explore the possibility of doing this even when you have comprehensive auto insurance that includes bicycle accident coverage.

An Experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You Create a Compelling Case

Recovering from injuries sustained during a bicycle accident can present more than enough challenges in and of itself. The last thing you need is to try to navigate the process of filing a bicycle accident lawsuit on your own at the same time.

Look for a reputable bicycle accident attorney to help you instead. They can analyze your case’s circumstances and examine the available evidence to determine whether you have a legal leg to stand on when filing a bicycle accident claim in court.

Hire Us To Handle Your Bicycle Accident Claim in New York

Were you involved in a bicycle accident that did serious damage to your body? Are medical bills and other worries getting in the way of your recovery? Let Cantor, Wolff, Nicastro & Hall LLC take on your case and answer questions like, “Does auto insurance cover bicycle accidents in New York?” Fill out this short form or call us at 716-848-8000 to start building your case.