Naples Personal Injury Attorney Uncovers: Does Homeowners’ Insurance Cover Bicycle Accidents?
Bicycle accidents can be quite serious because, unlike in a car accident, riders have nothing to protect them from the pavement aside from a helmet. Bicycle accident victims can suffer head injuries, broken bones, and even paralysis.
Does homeowners’ insurance cover bicycle accidents? Unfortunately not. However, Naples accident victims have options for compensation and medical bill coverage. A personal injury attorney in Naples explains below.
Options for Bicycle Accident Coverage in Naples
Although homeowners’ insurance won’t cover bike accidents, that doesn’t mean accident victims are out of luck. Victims can use one of the following options to cover their medical expenses.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
By law, PIP coverage is required in Naples and the rest of Florida. PIP covers 80% of all unexpected medical expenses, up to $10,000, regardless of who caused the accident.
Collision and Liability Insurance
Many Naples residents think their auto insurance only covers car accidents, but this isn’t so. Auto insurance also covers bicycle and pedestrian accidents.
Collision coverage pays for damage to the victim’s bike, while liability insurance covers damages the bike rider caused to someone else.
Health Insurance
Several states require individuals to have health insurance coverage, but Florida is not one of them. Nevertheless, health insurance is a good idea because it pays for medical treatment in the event of a bike accident.
Accident victims must pay attention to their insurance deductibles. The deductible is an amount the victim must pay before coverage kicks in.
Deductibles vary greatly by plan. They can be as little as $500 or more than $10,000.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Although uninsured motorist coverage isn’t required in Naples, it’s wise to have it. It protects victims who are hit by an uninsured driver and covers accidents when the at-fault driver leaves the scene of the crash.
Uninsured motorist coverage pays for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning potential, and disability costs. It also covers pain and suffering but doesn’t pay for emotional distress.
Personal Injury Lawsuit
Although health insurance and auto insurance will cover some damages, they won’t pay for everything. Victims who have additional damages may wish to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who hit them.
Those who wish to file a lawsuit can contact The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. for assistance.
Naples Law Firm Assists Bicycle Accident Victims
Does homeowners’ insurance cover bicycle accidents? No, but accident victims have several options for seeking compensation.
Victims who wish to learn more about compensation and comparative negligence can call The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. at 239-500-5000 or contact us online for a consultation. Attorney Marc L. Shapiro has over 30 years of experience assisting victims with bicycle and car accident claims in Naples.