What if the Driver Fled the Scene of the Bicycle Accident?

When a driver at fault for an accident leaves the scene, that is an illegal act. Beyond that, it leaves victims unsure of how they can recover compensation for their injuries and other losses.

While the primary focus is on finding that driver to hold them accountable, it can help to know what your legal rights are. A California bicycle accident lawyer at Triumph Law, P.C. can help.

What Happens if the Driver is Never Found?

Unfortunately, hit-and-run drivers sometimes get away scot-free. However, that does not leave you without options for compensation. Our team can help you explore your options, which may include MedPay or uninsured motorist coverage.

Who Will Pay for Your Medical Bills After a Bicycle Accident?

Your first step after such an accident is to get immediate medical care. Your personal health insurance should cover the costs of your medical bills, factoring in things like your deductible and copays. You might also have other auto insurance policies that may apply, like MedPay or uninsured motorist coverage. Yet, this does not mean you cannot continue to pursue other parties for the losses you have and hold them accountable.

The police will work to find the driver in this case. Even if the driver is not immediately identified, you may have other options for seeking compensation for your losses, including applicable insurance coverage. Keep in mind that your homeowners insurance may cover the damage to your bike, depending on whether you have coverage.

What is most important in this situation is not to wait for the police to find who is to blame but to hire a bicycle accident attorney immediately. We will go to work to find the party responsible and hold them accountable once we do.

Where Can You Find Evidence After a Hit-and-Run Bike Accident?

When a hit-and-run bicycle accident like this occurs, you, as the victim, are likely to be unable to take action to capture the license plate or to recall details about the driver. However, there are likely witnesses who remember or cameras on area homes or businesses, traffic cameras, and other resources available that could help you. Our bicycle accident attorneys will gather evidence from all available sources, including:

• Witness statements
• Reports from nearby businesses and their patrons
• Data from other drivers in the area
• Your statements with any applicable details

We encourage you to provide any information you have, no matter how small it may seem. Once we do this and support the police in their efforts to find the responsible party, we can focus on building your case.

What Happens Once a Hit-and-Run Driver Is Found After a Bicycle Accident?

Once the police find the motorist who struck you and fled the scene, they will take over the legal process of holding that party responsible for the crime they committed. At the same time, our attorneys will go into action to file a claim against their auto insurance. That claim can help you cover most of your losses, including many or all of the following:

• Medical bills from the incident
• Ongoing medical care
• Loss of earning capacity for permanent injuries
• Long-term recovery costs
• Loss of quality of life
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Property damage
• Lost time at work

We work to determine all of the ways this incident cost you so that you can file a comprehensive claim against the at-fault party’s insurance. This allows you to get the money to cover your losses and start your recovery in earnest.

What are the Laws Regarding Hit-and-Runs in California?

When a person strikes another party, they must stop, per California Vehicle Code § 20001. The driver must pull over, remain at the scene, call the police, and report the details of the incident. This applies in all types of vehicle accidents, including those involving cyclists.

A person who fails to do so may face a misdemeanor (per California Vehicle Code § 20002) or more serious charges if they are found to be reckless or intentional in their actions. This type of crime also carries the possibility of significant fines and jail time. The details of your case play a role in what the responsible party will face from a legal standpoint.

However, these consequences don’t include paying for your injuries and other losses.

You have the right to seek out compensation for the losses another person caused you. Our goal as your bicycle accident attorney is to find those responsible and ensure they pay what they owe.

Will You Have to Go to Court to File a Claim After a Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident?

After a hit-and-run bicycle accident, there’s a chance you may need to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. This typically happens when the insurance company denies your claim, which is most likely when there’s some uncertainty about fault. If that happens, our bicycle accident attorneys will work closely with you to pursue your case. However, this doesn’t mean you will need to go to court; your case could settle before you set foot in the courtroom.

In most cases, a jury won’t side with a hit-and-run driver, which is exactly why insurance companies are often willing to settle. Let us fight to make sure you don’t settle for less than you’re owed.

You may also be contacted by prosecutors or asked to participate as a witness in the criminal case. Our attorneys can explain what to expect and help you understand your rights throughout the process. We don’t want you to relive what you suffered, but we do want you to receive justice for what happened to you.

Get Help From Our Bicycle Accident Attorneys Now

If you were involved in a bicycle accident in which the driver fled the scene, contact Triumph Law, P.C., now to discuss your case. Allow our attorneys to provide you with hands-on support and guidance to navigate your rights under the law. Call us now to learn more about your rights during a free consultation.