Hit and Run Bicycle Wrecks
Hit and run bicycle wrecks are an unfortunate reality of bicycle riding on North Carolina streets and highways.
If you are the victim of a hit and run bicycle wreck in North Carolina, there are several things you must do in order to protect your rights.
First, you must contact the police as quickly as possible. Indeed, North Carolina law requires that someone who claims they were injured by a hit and run driver to report the accident within 24 hours, or as soon as practicable, to a police officer, police officer, other judicial officer or the North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance.
Second, you must notify your insurance company as soon as practicable.
What does as soon as practicable mean? It is hard to say. But, it is better to be safe than sorry with something like this and you should do everything you can to report the accident.
Why do you need to report the accident to your insurance company? Under North Carolina law, a bicyclist who is injured by a hit and run driver may be able to recover under a type of insurance call Uninsured Motorist coverage which appears on the bicyclist automobile insurance. Also, an injured bicyclist should investigate every automobile policy that may apply and make sure that every insurance company knows about the accident.
If you have questions about what to do if you or a family member are in a hit and run bicycle wreck, call or email Hendren & Malone immediately.
