If you were involved in a bicycle accident in the state of Florida, you may require a certain amount of financial compensation so that your injuries can properly heal and your damages can be properly recovered. With this, you may have to file an insurance claim. Read on to discover how your bicycle accident will be covered and how a seasoned Pasco County, Florida bicycle accident lawyer at Wendy Doyle-Palumbo, Esq., can guide you in the right direction. 

Will my bicycle accident be covered by insurance by an insurance claim?

For one, if you collided with an automobile while riding your bike, Florida’s no-fault insurance law may come into effect. That is, all Florida drivers are required to have personal injury protection insurance if they are at fault for another party’s medical expenses and other accident-related damages. If this is your case, then you will likely file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. 

However, different rules may apply if you collided with a pedestrian, another bicycle, or a stationary object while riding your bike. They read as follows:

  • Bicycle-pedestrian collision: the pedestrian may have to use the personal liability coverage from their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. 
  • Bicycle-bicycle collision: the bicyclist may have to use the personal liability coverage from their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. 
  • Bicycle-stationary object collision: you may have to use your health insurance.

What evidence do I need to provide for my insurance claim?

Insurance companies are notorious for minimizing the payout they distribute to victims of auto accidents. In the end, they are a business entity that is trying to meet its bottom line. So, with your insurance claim, you must provide enough evidence that reasonably identifies the at-fault party, along with the amount of monetary compensation you require to recover your damages. A majority of this evidence can be collected at the scene of the accident, and examples are as follows:

  • A copy of the official police report that was conducted at the scene of the accident. 
  • Pictures and videos of your injuries and other accident-related damages. 
  • Witness testimony that recounts how your accident played out. 
  • Medical documents that state the date, time, and severity of your injuries. 
  • Medical bills that state the cost of your required treatments.

What is the deadline for my personal injury claim?

Ultimately, if you do not recover all of your damages with your insurance claim, you can attempt to recover the rest by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party.

Importantly, there is a statute of limitations when it comes to filing a personal injury claim in the state of Florida, which is generally four years from the date of your accident. And if you miss this deadline, you will be permanently barred from suing and subsequently from recovering your damages.

So, before it is too late, you must consult with a competent Pasco County, Florida injury lawyer.