What if the driver responsible for a bicycle accident cannot be identified?
In Washington, if the driver responsible for a bicycle accident cannot be identified, they would likely be considered an uninsured motorist case. This means that the bicyclist would need to turn to their own insurance policy for coverage. Under the uninsured motorist policy, the bicyclist might receive up to certain limits of coverage, depending on the specifics of their policy. If the bicyclist does not have an uninsured motorist policy, they may still have some avenues of recovery. Depending on the circumstances and the severity of the damage, it may be possible to join forces with other victims of the same driver, such as if the driver had left the scene of the accident but was seen by multiple people or if the damage was significant enough that it could be traced back to the driver. However, these cases can be difficult to prove and usually require the help of a personal injury attorney. The bicyclist may also be able to file a claim with their own insurance company in order to receive compensation for medical bills and property damage. This would allow the bicyclist to receive compensation for their injuries, though not from the driver responsible for the accident. It is important to note that the compensation received from these types of claims may not be as extensive as what could be received from a personal injury case. Finally, the bicyclist can consider taking legal action against the driver if they do eventually get identified. Depending on the state, bicyclists may have certain time limits in which they must take legal action in order to receive compensation. In this case, the bicyclist will need to consult a personal injury lawyer to learn more about the best way to handle their case.
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