Bicycle Crash Injuries: Reporting and Insurance Questions

A bicycle crash can involve a car, a truck, a pothole, a door opened into the bike lane, or another cyclist. Each situation can lead to different questions about who is responsible and which insurance applies. Many cyclists are surprised to learn that a homeowners or renters policy, or a family member's auto policy, may matter. This guide explains how to report the crash, what to document, and what to ask before you accept any offer.

Report the crash

Start with medical care. Some bicycle injuries, including head injuries, are not obvious right away, so get checked even if you feel that you can walk it off. If the injury is severe, call emergency services. Once you are safe, ask for police to respond, especially when a motor vehicle was involved. Ask for the report number and the officer's name and badge number.

If a crash does not involve a car and no one called the police, you may still want to report it to the local agency that handles road hazards or roadway maintenance. A report can help if the crash was caused by a poorly maintained road. Ask a lawyer whether notice to the agency is required in your area, because some government claims have short deadlines and special notice rules.

Record the details at the scene

Write down or photograph the information that is easy to lose:

1. The location, including the street, intersection, and any bike lane or path markings.
2. Photos of your bicycle, your clothing or gear, the road surface, and any hazard that caused the crash.
3. The other person's name, phone number, and insurance details, or the vehicle's license plate if a driver left.
4. Names and contact information for witnesses.
5. Traffic signals, signs, and weather conditions at the time.
6. A short written account of what happened, made as soon as possible.

Keep your bicycle as it was after the crash if you can. Damaged parts can show how the crash happened, and the repair shop may later be asked to explain their work.

Which insurance may apply

Insurance for bicycle crashes is less uniform than for cars. Depending on the facts, some of these may apply:

• Auto liability insurance of a driver who was at fault. This is often the main source of compensation when a car is involved.
• Your own auto policy if you were in a car, or if a household member's auto policy covers you in certain situations.
• Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage if the driver had no insurance or not enough insurance.
• Homeowners or renters insurance may include liability coverage that can apply if you caused harm to someone else. Check whether it covers bicycle use.
• Health insurance for medical treatment, which may ask to be repaid from a later settlement.

Read each policy's declarations page and confirm what applies. Ask each insurer to explain in writing what coverage they are reviewing and why.

Questions about fault and responsibility

Bicycle claims often turn on questions such as whether the driver checked for cyclists, whether the bike lane was clearly marked, whether a door was opened carelessly, or whether a road defect was known and not repaired. Traffic and bicycle rules differ from state to state and city to city, so it helps to know the local rules that apply where the crash happened. If you were wearing a helmet, that can affect how injuries are described, so keep a record of what you wore.

The USAGov laws and legal issues page can help you find official state and federal resources on the rules that apply to you.

Medical records and the claim

Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts. Write down any time you missed from work or from your usual activities, along with the tasks you can no longer do. Gaps in treatment are often used to question how serious an injury was, so follow your doctor's plan and tell them about every new symptom.

Before you accept a payment, ask whether the amount covers future treatment, not only current bills. Some injuries take months to show their full effect, and a settlement usually ends the claim.

How to choose a lawyer

Look for a lawyer who regularly handles bicycle and personal injury claims, and who knows how the local courts and insurers handle them. Ask how they will gather evidence, such as the police report, photos, and any nearby camera footage that may be overwritten. Ask how they are paid, and get the fee terms in writing. Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee, but terms vary, so read the agreement before you sign. Check the lawyer's license with the state bar.

If you cannot pay for a private lawyer, the USAGov legal aid page lists programs that offer free legal advice and help people with low incomes find an attorney. For an overview of injury claims, see personal injury claims.

Frequently asked questions

Does my homeowners or renters policy cover my bicycle crash?

It may, depending on the policy and the facts. Liability coverage in those policies is often for harm you cause to others, while medical payments coverage may apply to injuries to you. Ask the insurer in writing.

Do I need to report a crash that did not involve a car?

Report it to the police if anyone was seriously hurt or if a hazard caused the crash. A report can help document the road condition. Ask a lawyer whether any notice deadline applies to a government agency.

Should I accept the first payment offer?

Be careful. Early offers may come before the full extent of your injury is known. Read any release before signing, and ask a lawyer to review it.

What if the driver who hit me left?

Call the police and report the crash as a hit-and-run. Write down everything you remember about the vehicle. Your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply, so check your policy.

Related: personal injury overview, car accident claims, and guides on legal topics.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed attorney about your situation.