Bicycles are currently a preferred method of movement by many. It is because of this that bicycle accidents are becoming a common occurrence that cause property damage and serious injuries. Bicycle accidents are caused by various factors. These accidents are often a result of human error, poor road conditions, and vehicle interactions.
Because of this, determining the party at fault requires thorough investigations. Evaluating how much victims can claim from insurance providers is also challenging. If you were involved in a bicycle accident, you should calculate your compensation based on the following factors. A bicycle accident lawyer can help you evaluate your claim.
1. Medical Expenses
The resulting medical expenses are a crucial factor in determining the value of your claims. Bicycle accidents can result in minor and major injuries. You can suffer superficial cuts and bruises or severe fractures and spinal injuries. When filing your claim, you should include the treatment costs and other services charged during recovery. You should include the following in your medical expenses:
- Ambulance fees
- Emergency room treatment
- Cost of diagnostic tests, such as X-ray and MRI scans
- Surgical procedures
- Hospital admission fees
You should also include the costs of ongoing medical care, medication, and physical therapies. The best way to prove these claims is to keep meticulous records of these medical expenses. Store all the receipts, bills, and documentation of treatment received.
2. Pain and Emotional Suffering
Besides the tangible medical costs, bicycle accidents also inflict considerable pain and suffering to cyclers. Victims suffer from physical and emotional distress after the accident. While quantifying these costs is complicated, an attorney can help you find the best way to value your pain and suffering.
Physical pain caused by injuries leads to discomfort and affects your quality of life. You might also face an emotional toll in the form of anxiety, PTSD, depression, and loss of enjoyment. Your lawyer will consider several factors, including the severity of injuries, pain, recovery duration, and how injuries affect your daily activities. With this, they can choose between the multiplier or per diem approach to arrive at a fair compensation.
3. Lost Wages
Victims of bicycle accidents often suffer severe injuries. Resuming your work immediately after the accident is impossible unless you suffered minor cuts and bruises. You’ll need significant time off work to attend to medical treatments and rehabilitation.
You should include lost wages in your compensation claims. As the name suggests, this involves assessing the estimated income for the period you are out of work. Apart from time off from work, you should adjust the value upwards if you sustain severe injuries affecting your ability to perform optimally.
Note that you should substantiate your claims of lost wages. Gather all the documents, including your employment contract, pay stubs, and correspondence from your employer about the missed days at work.
Endnote
Cycling is a popular activity across the U.S. While some people cycle out of necessity, others cycle to work or to get fit. If you are in this fold, you should watch out to avoid cycling accidents. In the unfortunate event of an accident, enlist the help of a bicycle accident lawyer when filing your compensation claim.
