Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accidents in Fremont

Maison Law Accident and Injury Lawyers of Fremont helps victims of bicycle accidents. There’s a lot of different types of bicycle accidents you could be involved in, but probably the most frustrating is a hit-and-run. Just like a hit-and-run car accident, a hit-and-run bicycle accident leaves you with a lot of questions. Our team will be there to support you and do what we can to make this process easier. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Should You Get a Lawyer?

Unlike a normal bicycle accident, you should certainly get a lawyer when you’re hurt in a hit-and-run bicycle accident. It’s not difficult to see why: not having insurance information from the driver that hits you severely limits what you can do legally.

At the same time, while this is far from ideal, you still have certain options that our experienced team can help you with. More to the point, though, we can help you in this situation by:

  • Explaining your options and rights
  • Investigate the accident to see if we can piece together who the driver is or who else might be at fault
  • Help you file an insurance claim and negotiate, even if it’s with your own insurance company
  • If we find the driver, we can file a lawsuit against them on your behalf

Hit-and-run bicycle accidents in Fremont pose unique challenges for you and your family. We understand these challenges and have a proven track record of helping clients like you in recovering the support they need.

What Should You Do Following a Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident?

There’s no denying that a bicycle accident is incredibly stressful and even painful. But this takes on an added layer of frustration when the driver that hits you doesn’t do what they’re supposed to do and flees the scene. Yet, especially with bicycle accidents, this is a common scenario. Whether the driver simply doesn’t see you or, worse, knows they hit you but doesn’t care, it then makes your situation all the more difficult.

But there’s still certain things you can do to protect an eventual claim:

  • Make sure you’re safe – First, check for injuries for yourself and any passengers. If anyone is hurt, call 911 for medical help right away.

 

  • Call the police – Report the hit-and-run to the Fremont Police Department, California Highway Patrol, or sheriff’s department. An official police report is crucial in this case, so make sure you give them as many details about the incident as you can.

 

  • Recall as much as you can – Try to remember specifics about the other driver and their vehicle, such as color, make, and model. If you can, take a picture of the license plate, as this can be crucial for ID’ing the driver.

 

  • Gather evidence at the scene – Collect photos or videos of the accident scene. Get contact information from any witnesses, and ask if they have pictures or videos that could help.

 

  • Go to a hospital – Even if you feel fine, see a doctor right away at an urgent care or hospital. Some injuries may not be obvious but can worsen over time.

 

  • Contact your insurance company – If you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, tell your insurance company. This coverage might apply to hit-and-run incidents, even if you were on your bike.

 

  • Preserve your evidence – Keep all evidence related to the accident, including medical records, police reports, and any communication with insurance companies.

  • Watch your statements – Don’t talk about the accident on social media or with anyone outside our team. An insurance company will try to use anything they can to reduce your claim.

Obviously, a hit-and-run bicycle accident is very challenging. Not only do you have to deal with your injuries, but you lack the necessary information you need to protect your legal rights. But you’re not helpless. Taking these steps still sets the foundation for a potential claim.

What Legal Options Do You Have After a Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident?

Legally speaking, a hit-and-run bicycle accident isn’t any different than a normal one, especially when it comes to your options. You have the same right to file an injury claim with a hit-and-run bicycle accident as you would with any other.

If the driver’s found, you can file an insurance claim or a lawsuit the way you normally would. However, if you can’t, you may have to file a claim with your own insurance, whether that’s an uninsured motorist policy or even your health insurance. Regardless, we’ll be there to support and guide you through the process to make sure you recover the “damages” you’re able to get under the law. Typically, this includes:

  • Medical expenses
  • Ongoing care needs for permanent injuries
  • Lost income or loss of earning potential
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Reduced quality of life or companionship
  • Wrongful death expenses, if the accident is fatal
  • Punitive damages, in cases of intentional negligence or recklessness.

 

Remember, a hit-and-run doesn’t just carry civil penalties, but also criminal charges. This means the police are going to be involved and do what they can to locate the driver. The worse your injuries are, the more severe the penalties will be for the driver that fled. That said, you still have certain questions to answer regarding how the accident happened and who’s ultimately responsible.

Who’s Responsible For Damages in a Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident?

In the vast majority of hit-and-run bicycle accidents, the driver that hits you is responsible for any resulting damage. But again, you can’t file a claim against them if you don’t have their insurance (or any other) information. This means that the process changes, even if liability doesn’t.

So then, a common question after a hit-and-run bike accident is what exactly covers your injuries and damages. Here’s how insurance might help in California:

  • Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage – Even if you’re riding a bike, you can still make a claim under your car insurance’s liability policy, namely your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This helps when you can’t track down the person who hit you, because it covers many of the same damages as a typical insurance claim.

  • Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance – Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance can cover damage to your bike or gear, but not medical costs.

  • Health insurance – Your health insurance can help with medical bills, like doctor visits and physical therapy.

It’s worth repeating that your best chance at recovery is finding the driver that hit you and fled the scene. However, as you might expect, this can be pretty tough to do, even with our help. Still, taking legal steps is one of the only ways you have at making sure your injuries are taken care of and you can move forward with your life post-accident.

Support After a Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident in Fremont

More so than most other bicycle accidents, a hit-and-run can leave you feeling powerless.  In addition to the physical and emotional impact, you may have to depend on your own insurance, and that might not cover all your needs.

At Maison Law Accident and Injury Lawyers of Fremont, we have the experience and resources to help you recover from these accidents. We’ll be there to offer the legal support and guidance you need. Contact us today for a free consultation to protect your rights and start the claims process.