Bike Hit My Car: Now What?
Most of the time, when we think about an accident between a bicycle and a car, we question whether or not the driver of the car has insurance to cover the damage done to the bike or cyclist. But what if you are the driver of the car and the accident was the fault of the cyclist? Who will pay for the damage that was done to your car? No one wants to ask: “What can I do if a bike hit my car?” Unfortunately, this situation is not rare.
In this article:
What to Do if a Bicycle Hits Your Car?
Massachusetts Bike Law
Will Insurance Cover Bicycle Accidents with Cars?
Who Pays for Medical Bills, Damages, and Injuries?
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage
How to Seek the Compensation You Deserve
What to Do if a Bicycle Hits Your Car?
If your car is involved in a collision caused by a bicyclist, it’s important to stay calm and take the following steps to protect your safety, your rights, and your insurance claim:
- Check for injuries and request medical attention if needed. If you or anyone else involved is hurt, request emergency medical services right away.
- Exchange contact and insurance information. Get the bicyclist’s name, phone number, and (if applicable) their auto or homeowner’s insurance details.
- Gather witness information. Ask bystanders for their contact info and brief statements if they saw what happened.
- Avoid discussing fault at the scene. Don’t admit blame or make assumptions. Simply stick to the facts when speaking to police or others.
- Document the scene. Take photos of your car, any visible damage, the bicycle, traffic signs, road conditions, and the surrounding area.
- Notify your insurance company. Report the accident to your insurer as soon as possible and provide all available documentation.
Massachusetts Bike Law
For those cyclists who plan to be out on the streets of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, there are certain things that you must do in order to remain within the law. MassBike explains both the rights and responsibilities of a cyclist. Of course, all traffic laws must be adhered to. Hand signals must be used unless it would endanger the cyclist to do so. Reflectors are required at night, and police must be notified if you are involved in an accident that involved personal injury or damage to property that is over $100.
The law provides a few other expectations for cyclists within Massachusetts, and many things that a cyclist is not allowed to do. If a cyclist has not followed these laws and caused an accident involving your car, can you recover damages? For those who are asking who themselves, “Who pays if a bike hit my car?” We have a few answers to help better understand the matter.
Will Insurance Cover Bicycle Accidents with Cars?
If you come in as a client with damages to your car from a bicycle accident, I can advise you according to the laws. There are many facts that work both in your favor and against it when your complaint involves bicycle accidents with cars.
- Cyclists often cannot pay out of pocket: An accident with a bicycle can involve intensive damage to your car’s paint job, as well as body damages from dents in the body of the vehicle. Often, the damages cost far more than the average cyclist can pay out of pocket.
- A cyclist’s car insurance will not cover the damages to your vehicle: The vehicle insurance that a cyclist may have does not cover bicycle accidents in which the cyclist was riding his or her bike. Car insurance only pays for damages incurred while the person is driving his or her car.
- A cyclist’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance might cover the damages: Damages to your car in a bicycle accident with cars might be covered by the cyclist’s homeowner’s insurance. These policies usually cover compensatory damages only, which means that you can receive the actual costs to you, including your lost wages, medical bills, and damages to your vehicle.
- Your insurance may still pay : Under Massachusetts law, when a cyclist hits your car, even if it is completely his or her fault, your insurance will pay part of his/her medical bills if he/she is injured.
Who Pays for Medical Bills, Damages, and Injuries If a Car Hits My Bike?
While this guide mainly focuses on what to do as a car or vehicle driver when the car is hit by a bike, it’s also important to understand key protections available when the roles are reversed—such as when a cyclist is injured by a driver.
Medical Expenses: Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
In Massachusetts, drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. If a car hits your bike:
- The driver’s auto insurer pays the first $2,000 of your medical bills.
- An additional $6,000 may be used for lost wages, co-pays, and deductibles.
- After that, your health insurance covers the remainder.
Note: If your health insurance is Medicare, MassHealth, or an ERISA plan, the driver’s insurance pays up to $8,000 of your medical expenses before your health insurance is used.
Property Damage
If the driver is found at fault, their auto insurance covers the cost of your bicycle repairs or replacement, along with damaged gear (clothing, helmet, GPS, etc.).
Injury Compensation
When the driver is at fault, their insurer may offer a settlement for your:
- Physical injuries
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Economic losses
However, Massachusetts follows a modified comparative fault system:
- If you’re partially at fault, your settlement is reduced by your percentage of fault.
- If you’re more than 50% at fault, you can’t recover damages beyond PIP benefits.
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage for Cyclists
Continuing on the previously raised perspective of when a car hits your bike, you may be surprised to learn that your own auto insurance could help. If you own a vehicle, your policy likely includes Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage—which protects you when the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance to fully cover your injuries.
Even if your car is parked at home, UIM coverage still applies when you’re riding your bike.
Tip: If you’ve been hit by a car while biking in Massachusetts, make sure you have UIM coverage—it’s essential protection for cyclists.
How to Seek the Compensation You Deserve
A bicycle is considered a vehicle under the law of Massachusetts, and therefore a cyclist must adhere to the rules of the road. Yet, the third most frequent cause of bicycle accidents with cars at intersections is that a cyclist failed to yield. As we’ve seen, if a cyclist does not follow the right-of-way and causes an accident, you can seek damages if a bike hits your car.” If a driver is injured or a car is damaged due to the fault of a cyclist, then the cyclist may be found at fault, and thus will be responsible. If you have suffered damages due to a cyclist failure to heed traffic laws, a car accident attorney can advise you on the crucial next steps to take in order to file a claim and build a winning case.