Bicycle Hit and Run Accidents

Riding a bicycle on northeastern North Carolina’s scenic roads and coastal highways is an enjoyable way to travel for both locals and visitors. However, a pleasant bike ride can turn into a tragedy in an instant when a careless driver hits a cyclist. It’s even worse when the negligent motorist fails to stop and take responsibility. However, even if you have been involved in a hit and run bicycle accident, you might still be able to recover compensation from your own insurer.

In many instances, injured bicyclists can make a claim under their auto insurance policy to pay for damages caused by a hit and run driver. The hit and run bicycle accident attorneys at Glover Law Firm can help you recover compensation from all available sources, such as your auto policy’s uninsured / underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. If you’ve been injured in a serious bicycle accident in northeastern North Carolina, including Elizabeth City, Currituck County and the Outer Banks, Glover Law Firm is on your side.

For a free consultation, contact our N.C. bicycle accident attorneys at (252) 299-5300 or complete our online form. We work on a contingency fee basis. We get paid only if we obtain money in your case

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, there were almost 5,000 accidents involving bicycles and motor vehicles between 2004 and 2008. An average of 25 cyclists were killed each year in North Carolina during this period, with about 850 bicycle riders injured annually as well.

It’s frightening to think that bicyclists can be in such danger on our state’s roads, but it is a reality. Hit and run accidents with cyclists are more common than you might think. If your bike ride was cut short by an irresponsible driver, you need to obtain legal representation as soon as possible to make sure you can secure the compensation you deserve for lost wages, medical bills and other expenses.

Even if the at-fault driver flees the scene and cannot be tracked down, you might still be entitled to compensation under the insurance you carry on your car. The UM/UIM coverage in an auto insurance policy will often cover damages if an insured gets hurt while riding a bicycle. The insured’s spouse, children and other household residents also often qualify for UM/UIM benefits if they are injured in a bike accident.

North Carolina and many other states require drivers to carry UM/UIM coverage on their auto insurance policy. You can find this protection on the declarations page of your policy, which shows each line-item such as medical expenses and comprehensive coverage. UM/UIM coverage comes into play when you are in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance or cannot be located. If that driver is determined to be at fault, then your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage will pay you for damages to your vehicle, any medical bills and other out-of-pocket expenses. You should note, however, that the money available under your UM/UIM policy is limited by the amount of coverage you purchased.

In North Carolina, drivers are required to carry UM/UIM coverage in an amount that’s equal to at least the highest liability coverage on their insurance policy. The minimum UM/UIM coverage is $30,000, which often isn’t enough to cover severe injuries from bicycle accidents. And if you’ve been seriously hurt in a bicycle crash because of a hit and run driver, you may need more financial assistance to get you back on your feet again. The good news is that increasing your UM/UIM limit is fairly inexpensive.

It’s important to be aware of your UM/UIM protection because this coverage may be the only way to pay your expenses if you find yourself in a hit and run bicycle accident. The attorneys at Glover Law Firm can help you recover all of the insurance proceeds you are entitled to under your UM/UIM or other coverage.

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident and the at-fault driver never stopped, the attorneys at Glover Law Firm can help. Sometimes insurance companies refuse coverage, reduce the amount they’re willing to pay out or deny a claim outright — even with their own customers. But we are passionate about making insurance companies provide the UM/UIM compensation you paid for and we’re ready to fight on your behalf.

At Glover Law Firm, we’ve represented many victims of North Carolina bicycle accidents over the years. We’re also available to assist people who have been injured while on vacation here in North Carolina. Although you may be far from home, you can be sure we’ll do everything we can to recover your damages as soon as possible.

For a free consultation, contact our N.C. bicycle accident attorneys at (252) 299-5300 or complete our online form. If we do not obtain money for your claim, you owe us nothing.

We help hit and run bicycle accident victims throughout the state, especially in Northeastern North Carolina and the Outer Banks, including those in Elizabeth City, Edenton, Hertford, Camden, Manteo, Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Duck, Corolla and surrounding areas in Pasquotank, Camden, Dare, Currituck, Perquimans, Chowan and Gates counties.