Following a bicycle accident, you may find yourself injured and in a state of shock. You could be disabled and face an extended period away from work. Naturally, you may wonder about the potential compensation you might be eligible to receive. If another party is responsible for your bicycle accident, you have the option to file a claim for damages.
Damages can be both economic and non-economic. Economic damages are for monetary losses, and non-economic damages are for physical and emotional injuries. The severity of your injuries and the other party’s percentage of fault will determine your eligibility for one or both types of damages. Hire a bicycle accident lawyer today.
Damages you can seek in a bicycle accident
- Medical expenses.
Medical expenses are your hospitalization, medication, therapy, surgery, etc. costs. These also include doctor’s visits, travel expenses to see the doctor, assistive devices, in-home care, and any other form of treatment that you have paid for or will have to pay for in the future. Even the most minor injuries can result in a bill of thousands of dollars.
- Lost wages.
You will probably be required to miss work after getting injured. The days you are forced to miss work can be compensated by the at-fault party. Such damages are known as lost wages. You may need to provide documented evidence to prove the total number of days and the amount you have lost. Pay stubs, tax returns, and employer statements can be helpful.
- Physical property damage.
You can also recover any physical property damage you have suffered as a result of the accident. If the accident has resulted in your bike being broken, you can get the compensation to get it repaired. If your bike was completely damaged to the point it cannot be used again, you can recover the cost of a new bicycle.
- Loss of future earning capacity.
An accident may not just cause you to lose work for a couple of weeks but may diminish your ability to work and earn completely. For instance, if you suffer from a severe injury and become disabled, you will not be able to return to work ever again. This puts your and your family’s financial future at risk.
- Pain and suffering.
Pain and suffering come under the category of noneconomic damages. Therefore, they do not have a set dollar value. These include mental anguish, emotional distress, emotional trauma, and the loss of enjoyment of life experienced by the victim and their families.