Founding Partner
Although riding a bike is an inexpensive, convenient, and healthy alternative to other forms of transportation, it is not without its risks. Bike riders who operate their bicycles near public roads are always at risk of being struck by a vehicle. Unfortunately, since bike riders generally have inadequate protection to shield them from collisions with motor vehicles, they often suffer serious injuries following an accident. And when the driver responsible for an accident lacks insurance, this can complicate matters further. In this article, we discuss your compensation options following a bicycle accident with an uninsured driver.
Your Auto Insurance Policy
If you have an auto insurance policy, then this may include coverage that can assist you following an accident with an uninsured driver—even if the accident occurred when you were on your bike. Many auto insurance policies cover automobile-related harms that don’t involve the policy holder driving or even riding in a car. So, if you have an auto insurance policy, and it meets the minimum legal requirements in the state of North Carolina, then you may have coverage that protects you following a bicycle accident with an uninsured driver. This type of coverage is called uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
What Does UM/UIM Insurance Cover?
Although the law requires all drivers to carry a certain amount of auto insurance, some people choose not to do so. Fortunately, UM/UIM coverage provides compensation to the policy holder when the at-fault driver’s coverage isn’t enough to pay for all of a victim’s damages—or when the driver doesn’t have any auto insurance at all.
Losses Covered By UM/UIM Coverage
UM/UIM coverage covers both financial and non-financial losses after an accident. For example, this coverage may cover:
- Property Damage
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Loss of future earnings
- The costs of in-home nursing care or household assistance
- Medications
- Medical equipment
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Other Options
Although UM/UIM coverage can be incredibly helpful for bicycle accident victims, it only covers losses up to the policy limits. In other words, if you only carry the state-mandated minimum of UM coverage and a driver leaves you with serious injuries, it’s easy for your expenses to surpass the limit. For claims prior to July 1, 2025, the minimum UM/UIM limit in North Carolina is $30,000.00 for bodily injury for each person, $60,000.00 total bodily injury for all persons in an accident and $25,000.00 for property damage. For claims after July 1, 2025, the UM/UIM minimum limit is $50,000.00 for bodily injury for each person, $100,000.00 total bodily injury for all persons in an accident and $50,000.00 for property damage.
This is one of the many reasons that it is recommended to carry additional UM/UIM coverage beyond North Carolina’s state-mandated minimums. However, if you lack additional coverage—or you don’t have a motor vehicle and auto insurance—you may have other options available to you, including filing a lawsuit against the driver who caused your injuries. For additional information on your options following a bicycle accident with an uninsured driver, please contact an experienced bicycle accident attorney.
Contact a Charlotte Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you’ve been hurt in a bicycle accident in Charlotte, North Carolina, you should contact an experienced North Carolina bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible. At Bradford Law, our experienced bicycle accident attorneys are dedicated to aggressively seeking financial compensation on your behalf. Please contact us to schedule a consultation with a Charlotte bicycle accident attorney.
