As some of you may know, I was involved in a hit-and-run accident on March 23, 2010 while riding my bike. I spent 18 days in the hospital, but I'm now out and on the mend and expecting to make a full recovery. One of the most important lessons I learned is that whenever a vehicle is involved in an accident, your auto insurance is responsible for covering you. Your health insurance is also responsible, but your auto insurance is your primary insurer in the event of an accident involving a car, even if you are on your bicycle. I know this is the case in both California and New York, unfortunately due to firsthand experience. You can - and should - call your insurer to discuss with them whether or not they are liable in your home state. From speaking with other cyclists, it seems to be the norm in most - if not all - states. There are also important questions to be asked of your insurance about what happens if you travel abroad (AAA, for example, offers excellent travel insurance) and get in an accident. The best advice I can give is to know what is - and what is not - covered. 

I don't think there was much - if anything - I could have done to prevent the accident I was in, except for not riding a bike, which is definitely not an option. But thankfully I had prepared myself adequately from an insurance perspective. I have since increased my policy coverage because I know how lucky I was and how much worse the accident could have been and how quickly the coverage you do have can run out. I am also investigating alternative insurance for when I do travel abroad - such as my trip to Abu Dhabi - and also for additional insurance to cover the accidents that can happen riding your bike that don't involve a car. "Accident" insurance is probably important when you are going as fast as a car, but without the safety of seatbelts and airbags.

I hope this doesn't come across as paranoid or fear-mongering, though I am sure I am slightly more paranoid than I was on Mar 22nd. I just want all of you to stay safe, and - since our safety is often affected by people other than us - I want you all to be prepared in case something does happen. Since I can't ride as much as I used to, for at least a few more days, I have more time to worry about this stuff. But hopefully my experiences and my worry can help provide someone else with peace of mind and also with protection they didn't even know they could have.

Stay safe out there. And have fun. I know that when I am allowed back on the roads by my doctors that I'll do it with some added confidence knowing that I've protected myself and my family against that worst case scenario.