Accidents are never fun. When you get in an accident with another driver, the hope is that they’ll carry auto insurance (like most states require), so if they’re found at fault, they can pay for damages. But what about if a bike hits your car? Who’s at fault and who pays for damages then?

Just like drivers, bicyclists are expected and legally required to follow the rules of the road. Same as when a driver ignores the rules, if a biker doesn’t follow the rules of the road and causes an accident as a result, the cyclist would be considered at fault in the accident.

So what happens if a bike hits your car?

This timeline from Nolo is helpful in helping you to take the appropriate steps to handle the situation if a bike were to hit your car.

Once the situation is sorted, you may be wondering what happens in the case of damage to your car. If the biker were found at fault, then they’d be liable for the damages. If you were found at fault, your collision coverage (if you have it) would help cover the costs to repair your car.

Unlike motorists, cyclists aren’t required to carry insurance to get out on the road. But accidents can and do happen. A cyclists’ auto liability insurance wouldn’t apply in this situation, but homeowners liability or an umbrella policy could, according to Gordon, Elias & Seely LLP. The best way to ensure you’re covered when cycling is to chat with your insurance agent about your options and to consider a bicycle specific liability policy.

For bikers, the good news is that despite sharing the road with cars, just 11% of bicycle accidents involve a collision with a car, according to Nolo. Though that number sounds small, if you cause damage to a car and are find liable for that damage, you’ll want to make sure that you have the right coverage for any type of accident while sharing the road. Your insurance agent can help you determine the best coverage for your bike and liability.

Keep in mind that if a cyclist were to hit your car because a door was opened in the way of the cyclist, that “is almost always entirely the fault of the door-opener,” according to Nolo. The driver would likely be on the hook for damages for both parties and for injuries the biker sustained during the incident.

For tips on how to safely share the road, check out this article with 10 tips for drivers and cyclists.

In many cities and towns, sharing the road between cars and bicycles is a necessary part of your daily drive or ride. The rules of the road can help keep everyone safe, but if things go wrong, your insurance can help pay for repairs or injuries. Whether you’re a driver or a biker, having the right insurance in place can help make an accident less of a headache to deal with. Remember to drive and ride safely and give the road your full attention!