Kansas City Bicycle Accidents Can Cause Devastating Injuries
As a bicycle accident law firm in Kansas City, we know that bicycle accidents happen too often on roadways throughout Missouri and Kansas. Many of these bike crashes are caused by the negligence or recklessness of the driver of a car, truck or other motor vehicle. Many of these accidents result in devastating injuries for the bicyclist involved.
In 2013, more than 900 bicyclists in the U.S. were killed, and almost 500,000 bicyclists were hospitalized as a result of serious injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC data also shows that young people, specifically children, adolescents and young adults, are most likely to be injured in a bicycle crash, and they also have the highest bicycle death rates.
Bicyclists and pedestrians represent a disproportionate share of injuries and fatalities in Missouri. Although walking and biking represent only 6.5% of trips throughout Missouri, they still result in 7.5% of all accident-related fatalities and 15% of all accident-related injuries in the state. Bicycle and pedestrian crash rates are increasing as automobile crash rates are decreasing.
Regardless of the level of harm or injury resulting from a biking accident, you probably have a lot of questions about what you should do after a bicycle accident, what insurance applies and how your medical bills will get paid.
These questions, and many others, can best be answered by a Kansas City bicycle accident lawyer who is experienced in handling these cases throughout Kansas and Missouri. Below are three crucial pieces of information that every bicycle rider in Kansas City should know:
1. You Can Use Your Health Insurance to Pay for Accident-Related Medical Treatment
Many people assume your accident-related medical bills must be paid solely out of settlement funds. Health insurance can be very complicated, and the billing practices of hospitals and medical providers do not make it easy.
Regardless, your health insurance is often the first resource you should use to pay accident-related medical expenses. You may use your health insurance to pay for emergency treatment, rehabilitation and other care related to your bicycle accident injuries. As an experienced bicycle injury lawyer, please know that hospitals and providers throughout Missouri and Kansas must accept your health insurance card - even if your injuries are caused by an accident.
2. Your Car Insurance Policy May Also Cover Your Losses
Many bicycle accident victims have no idea that their own auto insurance may cover medical bills and much more after a bike crash. This is true, even if your car was not involved in the accident in any way.
First, you should check with your agent if your car insurance policy has medical payments (Med-pay) or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage that applies in your situation. If it does, these policies will reimburse you for your out-of-pocket medical expenses up to the limit of the policy you purchased.
Second, if the driver who injured you was either uninsured or had insufficient coverage to compensate you, your own car insurance policy may help. Your uninsured motorist coverage would offer coverage if the driver had no insurance. If the driver had too little insurance and you had purchased under-insured motorist coverage on your own auto policy, it may cover the difference up to the limit you purchased.
For example, if the negligent driver has only $25,000.00 in liability coverage but your medical bills alone are $75,000.00, you could seek compensation from your own underinsured motorist coverage up to the limit you purchased.
3. The At-Fault Party's Insurance Adjuster May Try to Place Some Blame on You for the Accident
It is unfortunately quite common for the insurance adjuster for the at-fault party to place some blame on the bicycle rider after he is injured in an accident. For example, they may argue that the bicyclist was riding too close to the vehicle, was not wearing a helmet or did not yield to the right of way.
Regardless of the reason, please do not give up. Remember, the insurance company for the at-fault party is not your friend. Their goal is to pay as little as possible, and they will use anything at their disposal to improve their bottom-line.
Contact Our Kansas City Bicycle Lawyer Today
Our Kansas City bicycle accident lawyer recognizes the risk and dangers that negligent drivers pose to all of us, including bicycle riders throughout our community. We take these cases very seriously. Bicycle accident cases are not just about getting compensation for those who are injured. In addition, these cases are important for upholding the rules that keep us safe
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, don't wait. These are complicated legal matters and should not be handled alone. Our experienced bicycle accident law firm is ready to remove the stress and difficulty from insurance adjusters and mounting medical bills, so you can focus on getting better. For guidance and answers to your questions, call our Kansas City bicycle injury lawyer. You can reach us today at 816-203-0143 for a free, no-obligation consultation.