How Much Is a Bicycle Accident Worth?

How Much Is a Bicycle Accident Worth?

Many factors determine the value of a bicycle accident case. You need a lawyer with a thorough understanding of these factors before seeking compensation for your injuries.

At Francis Law Firm, we've seen firsthand what happens when accident victims are not adequately compensated for economic and non-economic damages.

We believe that every injured cyclist should receive the compensation they deserve, and we're here to help you understand how much your case may be worth.

If you or a loved one were injured by a motor vehicle while riding your bike, reach out to a local bicycle accident lawyer for assistance.

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What Factors Affect the Value of a Bicycle Accident Case?

Severity of Injuries

The severity of injuries sustained in a bike accident is one of the most critical factors in determining the value of a case. More severe injuries typically result in higher medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering for the victim.

Medical Expenses

In addition to the severity of injuries, the total medical expenses incurred by the victim will also impact the worth of their case. This includes immediate medical costs, ongoing treatment, and rehabilitation.

Lost Wages

If a bicycle accident results in time away from work, this can also affect the value of a case. Lost wages or earnings include current missed work and potential future income that may be impacted by the injuries sustained in the accident.

Level of Negligence

The other party's level of negligence can also significantly impact the value of a case. If the other party was entirely at fault for the accident, the victim may recover more compensation.

Overall Effect on Quality of Life

Bicycle accidents can have a lasting impact on a person's quality of life. From physical limitations to emotional distress, the overall effect on the victim's well-being could significantly affect the value of their case.

How Much Does A Bicycle Accident Cost?

Calculating Economic Damages

The most critical aspect of calculating economic damages is looking at injury expenses from the accident. No matter the collision's severity or crash, the cost of medical bills and treatment can add up quickly.

Common bike accident injuries that qualify for compensation include but are not limited to:

• Broken bones: Cyclists' lack of protection can result in severe fractures and breaks requiring expensive medical procedures. In Texas, treatment costs for these injuries range from $2,500 to $25,000 per bone. This doesn't include expenses for any necessary medical equipment or medication, which can add tens of thousands of dollars to a bike accident claim.
• Head injuries: Blunt force trauma to the head often results in traumatic brain injuries such as concussions or skull fractures. These injuries can require extensive treatment and rehabilitation, with upfront costs ranging from $85,000 to $500,000. Because economic damages can include future medical treatment, you could recover millions in lifetime medical care for a TBI.
• Spinal cord injuries: Any spinal cord damage is likely to result in costly medical bills due to the complex nature of these injuries. On average, the initial cost of treatment ranges from $15,000 to $150,000. However, the long-term costs of spinal cord injury can add up to over a million dollars in lifetime medical expenses.
• Soft tissue injuries: Don't be fooled by the name; these injuries are anything but "soft." Muscles, ligament, and tendon injuries can result in chronic pain and mobility issues. Upfront treatment costs range from $2,000 to $50,000+, with lifetime costs potentially totaling exponentially more.
• Neck and back injuries: Whiplash and other neck and back injuries sustained in an accident can lead to chronic pain, difficulty with movement, and nerve damage. With physical therapy, chiropractic care, and prescription medication, the cost of these injuries can quickly add up to tens or hundreds of thousands over a lifetime.
• Road rash, cuts, and bruises: The force of impact in a bicycle accident can result in scrapes, cuts, and bruises that lead to permanent scarring, disfigurement, or amputation. The cost of treatment varies depending on the severity. Still, even minor cases can add up to tens or hundreds of thousands in upfront and lifetime medical bills.

It isn't just the medical bills from injuries included in accident settlements. Other economic costs may include:

• EMS services: Ambulance rides nationwide can total $5,000+ when treating severe injuries or transporting patients to a faraway hospital. Your provider may not cover all ambulance costs even if you have great insurance.
• Emergency Room treatment: National averages place the cost of treatment in an emergency room at $1,300+. This cost is even higher in Texas, where accident victims can expect to spend $2,300+ per visit.
• In-patient hospitalization: Being admitted for a short or long-term hospital stay can run Texas bike accident victims as much as $2,913 per night. This does not include specialist visits, tests, or medications to diagnose and treat accident injuries.
• Diagnostic testing: Required laboratory work and diagnostic imaging can easily exceed $500 per test. Multiple tests are often needed to diagnose injuries sustained in bike accidents, so the costs for these procedures can quickly total several thousand dollars.
• Follow-up care: Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may require follow-up appointments with various specialists, such as orthopedic surgeons or physical therapists. These appointments and treatments can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per visit.

Economic costs that increase the value of a bicycle accident claim also include lost earnings potential.

With nearly 8 in 10 people living paycheck to paycheck, any time away from work due to an accident can cost them their livelihood.

This loss of income can greatly reduce a person's financial stability and lawyers include it when calculating the worth of a bicycle accident case.

Furthermore, with severe injuries limiting mobility, cognitive function, and emotional well-being, the potential to be passed over or demoted at work due to the inability to perform job duties also contributes to lost earnings compensation.

The final consideration for economic damages includes property damage. Bicycles can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars in value, not to mention any personal belongings or accessories that may have been damaged in the accident.

Considering that the latest iPhone or Android phone can cost upwards of $1,000, any loss or damage to this type of property should be included in the economic damages portion of a personal injury claim.

Calculating Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages affect a victim or their family's quality of life. Though not always as easy to quantify as economic damages, these can significantly increase the value of bike accident cases.

Compensatory non-economic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering: The physical pain and emotional distress caused by an accident can be immense and should not be overlooked when pursuing damages. These damages seek to compensate victims for any ongoing physical or emotional pain experienced as a result of their injuries.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Injuries sustained in a bike accident can impact daily activities, hobbies, and overall quality of life. This loss is often difficult to measure but is still considered an essential factor in determining the overall value of a case.
• Permanent disfigurement or disability: When accidents result in permanent scarring or loss of function, victims may experience significant mental anguish and loss of self-esteem. These damages consider the physical impact and emotional toll on an individual's sense of self.
• Loss of consortium: Accident injuries can significantly affect a person's ability to maintain intimate and loving relationships. This loss of consortium is a compensatory non-economic damage that could see compensation for victims or their surviving family members.

While non-economic damages may be more difficult to calculate, they are still crucial to the overall value of a bicycle accident case. States like Texas do not cap these non-economic damages awarded by a judge or jury.

How Do I Recover Maximum Compensation For A Bicycle Accident?

The best way to recover the most compensation for a bike accident is to schedule a free consultation with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer, who can:

• Review your case and evidence: An experienced lawyer will review all the evidence related to your case, including medical records and bills, police reports, witness statements, and any other relevant information.
• Determine liability: A critical factor in recovering damages is proving liability. Your lawyer can investigate the accident scene, gather witness testimony, and consult with experts to determine who was at fault for the accident.
• Calculate damages: With knowledge of the law and experience handling similar cases, a personal injury lawyer is better positioned to accurately calculate the full extent of your economic and non-economic damages.
• Negotiate with insurance companies: Insurance companies often try to settle for a lower amount to save money. An aggressive negotiator from a Texas personal injury law firm can advocate for your right to a fair settlement that thoroughly covers the costs of your accident.
• Represent you in court: Court proceedings make recovering damages more complicated. With an experienced accident attorney representing your best interests, your chances of a successful outcome in court increase significantly.

Beyond hiring an attorney with a successful track record of securing maximum compensation for bike accident victims, other steps you should consider to help maximize the value of your injury claim or lawsuit include:

• Seeking further medical treatment after the accident to document additional injuries or complications.
• Keeping detailed records of all related expenses, including medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
• Avoiding discussing the accident or your injuries on social media, as anything you say can be used against you by insurance companies.
• Forwarding all correspondence and initial settlement offers from insurance companies to your attorney for review and response.
• Following all medical advice and attending all recommended appointments as proof of continued treatment can strengthen your case.

You should also start the filing process as soon as possible. Typically, injured persons have only two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas.

With the time it takes to overcome the initial shock and accident injuries, that time could easily pass before you get the chance to seek justice and compensation.

How Much Is a Bicycle Accident Case Worth FAQ