Millions of Americans enjoy riding a bicycle, whether it is for sport, exercise, transportation, or simple enjoyment of a nice day. Unfortunately, each year thousands of bicyclists receive accident-related injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 45,000 estimated bicyclist injuries in 2015.
If you recently fell victim to a bicycle accident, a St. Louis bicycle accident lawyer may be able to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. With representation from a skilled personal injury attorney, you could confirm whether someone else is liable for your accident, take stock of all ensuing damages, and seek financial recovery through either a settlement demand or a lawsuit in civil court.
Compensation for Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents can be extremely costly, creating a significant burden for victims beyond just physical injuries. The National Safety Council reports that the collective costs of bicyclist injuries and death totals more than $4 billion per year.
Furthermore, the NSC estimated in 2012 that the average comprehensive costs associated with bike wrecks total $58,700 for a non-incapacitating injury and $27,200 for a possible injury. Even worse, these figures do not include any potential lost wages, potential loss of future wages, pain and suffering, and potential emotional damages.
Options for Recovery
Regardless of the specific financial losses involved, someone will be left holding the bill for a bicycle accident, and usually it is the victim who ends up being responsible for most of it. The goal of a lawsuit is to compensate the victim for all these damages.
Some states have caps on how much a plaintiff may seek for their non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Fortunately, Missouri Revised Statutes §537.090 allows the jury in a bicycle accident trial to determine the types and amounts compensation that a victim is entitled to. In other words, a St. Louis bicycle accident attorney may be able to help you get the maximum compensation for your economic and non-economic damages with no legislatively imposed caps.
Comparative Fault in St. Louis
As per Missouri Revised Statutes §537.765, Missouri is a pure comparative fault state. This means that the victim’s compensation can be reduced by an amount equal to their percentage of fault for the accident.
For instance, if a bicycle accident victim failed to obey traffic lights or did not stop at a stop sign before the accident occurred, they could be held partially responsible which reduces the amount of their compensation. Even if you do not believe you did anything wrong, you may still want to consult with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in St. Louis to find out how comparative fault might apply to your case.
Let a St. Louis Bicycle Accident Attorney Help
A bicycle accident can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining. There are bills to be paid, doctor appointments to keep, and perhaps even legal proceedings to undergo. The good news is that a St. Louis bicycle accident lawyer could assist you through this difficult time of your life.
A skilled attorney may be able to provide you with the help that you need with the goal of building a strong case from the very beginning and achieving compensation for all your damages. Call today to find out what your legal options may be.