Does Your Ontario Car Insurance Protect You in a Bike Accident?
Most cyclists probably don’t think about the need for insurance in the event that they get into an accident with a motor vehicle. In fact, it is very important to have the appropriate automobile insurance if you plan on cycling regularly. Car insurance is what will protect you if you get into an accident. This coverage may have to cover all damages related to the accident, including pain and suffering as well as lost wages. For these reasons, you should ensure that you have the proper car insurance coverage that will protect you if you are injured in an accident with a motor vehicle.
It is important that you review your car insurance policy to ensure that you have the right kind of coverage, including accident family endorsement protection. Don’t just assume that you have “full coverage”. Carefully look over your insurance policy and speak with your car insurance provider to make sure that you have coverage in the event that you are in an accident with an automobile. Two kinds of coverage are particularly important to have: liability coverage and statutory accident benefits or no-fault coverage.
Liability coverage insures you against any injuries or damages that you cause to another person while in an accident where you are at fault. MostOntariodrivers have this kind of coverage and the law inOntariorequires drivers to have this coverage with only a minimum limit of $200,000 per accident. This means that the at-fault driver’s insurance may not cover the cost of all of the injuries inflicted upon the cyclist, if the injuries were severe. If you are injured as a cyclist, and the at-fault driver’s insurance does not cover the cost of your injuries, your car insurance policy becomes applicable. For this reason, you want to make sure that you have proper coverage for situations like this.
Statutory accident benefits or no-fault coverage is mandatory for all Ontarians with car insurance. This kind of coverage, also known as SABS or ABS, will cover lost wages and medical expenses, subject to specific limits. These benefits are available regardless of whether or not you are responsible for the accident, as long as a motor vehicle was involved in the accident. This kind of coverage means that you can receive immediate medical attention after the accident, without having to wait for the driver’s insurance company to accept liability.
Knowing your car insurance policy is important in order to ensure that you are properly protected in the event that you are injured in a motor vehicle accident while cycling. If you have legal questions about your accident, feel free to contact the personal injury lawyers at Auger Hollingsworth.
