Bike Utah provides information on how to acquire medical and legal assistance in the event of a crash. Review this information and keep these contacts readily available whenever operating a vehicle —including a cycle.

 Local Emergency Resources and Law Directory

 

In the event of a cycle crash, your health and safety are the highest priority. Regardless of the severity of injury or damages, seeking immediate medical attention and contacting a legal professional to assist you is always advised. Use the resource information in accordance with the steps provided on the webpages below.

 
 

Disclaimer: The information contained in this site is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as professional legal or medical advice on any subject matter. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in this site without seeking legal or other professional advice. Reliance on the information provided here is solely at your own risk. We also choose to use inclusive language by using the term “cycle” instead of “bicycle” unless we are specifically talking about 2-wheeled cycles.

IMG_1126.jpg

Emergency Services

In most cities, there are different options for emergency services depending on the severity of injuries. Do not call 911 to report an incident without injuries. Every agency has a non-emergency or business line. Go online to your city’s government website to find the non-emergency phone numbers of your local police, fire, and information services, and save them in your phone. If you are unsure of whether there is an emergency, call 911 and the dispatcher can provide instruction.

Be prepared to provide your location and a description of the circumstances including the incident, parties involved, and severity of injury.

Here are some non-emergency contacts throughout Utah:

  • North (Logan, Ogden)

For medical assistance in other cities and states, access your county website for more information.

Medical Insurance

Having your personal identification and medical insurance information readily available for processing will be useful, especially if your injuries are too severe for you to communicate with the first responders. A good practice is to keep these identification cards on your person when using any vehicle including (and not limited to) a motorized vehicle or a bicycle.

There are many options for medical insurance and some providers like Life By Spot provide more cost-effective insurance coverage specifically for injuries associated with physical activities like cycling, running, skiing, and more, without a requirement for general health insurance.

IMG_1089.jpg

Legal Services

Cycle Insurance

Just as cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists, they also have the same privilege of insuring their non-motorized vehicle (or cycle). For protection from the losses and damages a cyclists may endure from a crash, a cyclists can acquire their own personal property insurance. Note that the insurance coverage for a cycle may differ from the coverage of a motorized vehicle.

  • Homeowner/renter insurance policies may only cover loss, damage, or theft to property that occurs within one’s residence and will typically require a deductible. Some policies may extend this coverage to incidents beyond your residence, but it may be limited to incidents where another party is at fault. That means you may have to request additional coverage for crashes on your own (i.e. falling off your bike, colliding with a tree or curb). The extent of your coverage can be confirmed with your provider, and you may consider filing with a different company if your current provider cannot provide the coverage you need.

  • Auto insurance may only cover the medical bills and damage of a cyclist in a crash if the motorist with the auto insurance policy is at fault. If the motorist at fault is uninsured, then the cyclists may be able to file a claim under their own personal property insurance for damages and have medical bills covered by their own medical insurance.

  • In any case, a legal professional can provide guidance on the best way to protect yourself from loss and damages as a cyclist and as a motorist.

Be prepared to exchange your insurance information in the event of a crash as a motorist or a cyclist by keeping your insurance information in your vehicle or on your person whenever you are operating your vehicle.

Personal Injury Attorney

Getting familiar with your local legal services is another great way to stay prepared for a crash. Have their phone number saved to be able to call them on the scene and get the advice you need to protect yourself.

Here are some contacts throughout Utah:

For legal assistance in other cities and states, conduct a search for ‘personal injury attorneys’ in your area for more information. If you represent a business that would like to be listed as a resource here, contact info@bikeutah.org and we would be happy to add their contact information to this page.