When the driver is at fault: If the cyclist is hit by a car, the at-fault driver's auto liability coverage can pay for the cyclist's medical expenses and the cost to repair or replace the bike. If the driver is uninsured, the cyclist will need health insurance to cover injuries.

If a bicyclist violates a traffic law, and that traffic violation causes an accident, the bicyclist can certainly be held liable for injuries and other losses incurred by anyone else who was involved in the crash. Whether that cyclist has any available insurance to cover those losses is another issue (more on this later).

The fault for bicycle-car crashes is close to evenly split, with 51 percent of crashes caused by a negligent motorist and 49 percent caused by careless bike riders. ² Many vehicle drivers don’t realize that cyclists have just as much of a right to be on the road as they do. Some motorists can be downright antagonistic towards cyclists.

In a car-bike accident, fault must be determined based on the specifics of the case. Bicycle riders, like drivers of other vehicles, are expected to obey the rules of the road. If a bicyclist runs a red light or fails to yield to a driver with the right-of-way, the bicyclist could be wholly or partly to blame.