Man Injured in Merced Hit-and-Run Accident
Officials are investigating after a man was injured in a recent hit-and-run bicycle accident in south Merced. The incident occurred shortly after 11:20 p.m. in the area of Martin Luther King Jr. Way and West 15th Street.
Details on the Hit-and-Run Accident in Merced That Left a Man Injured
A news release by the Merced Police Department (Merced PD) revealed that a driver of a white sedan was turning onto Martin Luther King Jr. Way and reportedly struck a 53-year-old man riding his bicycle. The sedan driver allegedly left the scene following the incident and was last reported to have been heading toward State Route 99.
The man who was riding the bicycle was evaluated by first responders and cleared at the scene of the hit-and-run accident. Anyone with information on the bicycle accident is encouraged to reach out to Officer Crain at Merced PD.
Is There Recourse in a Hit-and-Run Accident for Injured Cyclists?
When a cyclist has suffered serious injuries in a bicycle accident caused by a hit-and-run driver, it may be challenging for the injured party and their family to figure out what steps must be taken to move forward in their situation. In California, insurance companies offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM and UIM), so you can seek compensation for property damage, medical expenses, lost income, and other losses. The uninsured motorist portion of the policy may come into play if a hit-and-run driver or a motorist without liability coverage causes an accident up to the limits of the policy. Despite the claim being handled by your insurer, the process of seeking full and fair compensation may prove to be a challenge.
All too often, insurers attempt to dispute or outright deny claims. In other situations, they may make settlement offers that may not consider the full extent of harm and damages incurred. This should come as no surprise as insurance companies are businesses that are focused on paying as little as possible on personal injury claims to protect their bottom line. Some of the common tactics claims adjusters may use to get out of making a fair settlement offer include claiming those injuries are unrelated to the car accident in question, disputing the value of economic and non-economic damages, or even placing blame for the incident on the claimant.
Any party who has been hurt in a bicycle accident caused by a hit-and-run driver should consider discussing their options for recovery moving forward with an experienced injury lawyer. Unlike an insurer, the attorney will have the best interests of those they represent at heart. Conversely, a lawyer will work to uncover whether a cyclist has recourse under their insurance policy or that of a household member if there is UM and UIM coverage. The latter is possible so long as the injured cyclist was not excluded from the insurance plan. Choosing the right lawyer may seem like a stressful process, particularly if you are unsure of what to look for in one. For details on how to find the best accident attorney, watch this video.
How Our Law Firm Can Help You After a Bicycle Accident
When you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident as a cyclist, you may be concerned about who will pay for property damage to your bicycle, medical bills, lost earnings, and more. Our law firm can help you by conducting an independent investigation of the incident and working with private investigators to track down the at-fault party. If efforts are unsuccessful, our legal team will explain how uninsured motorist coverage may work in your situation and handle negotiations with the insurer on your behalf to settle your claim in your favor.
While insurance carriers are not always fair when it comes to settling first-party claims, we will work diligently to ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries and resulting losses. If all attempts at a fair settlement fail, we will file a lawsuit in civil court. To learn more about how we can help you and your family, reach out to us today.
Personal Injury Attorney in Merced
I’m Ed Smith, a Merced personal injury attorney. Getting into a traffic collision may be a stressful experience and even more so if it was caused by a hit-and-run driver. If the at-fault party cannot be located, it may be challenging to seek compensation for your losses. Under these circumstances, the best way to protect your rights and best interests are to retain legal counsel right away. Discuss your options for recovery and receive free, friendly case advice by calling our law firm today at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.
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