Because bicyclists have limited protection during a bike crash, their risk of serious injury is much higher than a car passenger. If you are injured from a bike accident, and the accident was the fault of someone else, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit to pursue compensation for your losses.
A St. Louis bicycle accident lawyer has the experience necessary to answer your legal questions, determine if filing a lawsuit is a wise decision in your situation, and then support you legally throughout the claims process. An experienced personal injury attorney could help ensure that you have the funds necessary to remain financially stable while you recover from your accident.
Bicyclists can crash for many reasons, but when it is due to another person’s carelessness, a St. Louis lawyer could determine the amount of fault and liability associated with the careless actions. Some examples of accidents with an at-fault party include:
Sometimes, the fault may be shared. For example, the bicyclist could have veered into the path of a motorist who was also driving recklessly. If the injured person is less than 50 percent liable for the crash, they could still collect compensation, although the amount will be reduced proportionate to the amount of liability.
A bicycle accident attorney in St. Louis could help determine the amount of compensation necessary to cover damages sustained. Damages may consist of economic and non-economic losses.
If the injuries are extensive, there will be medical expenses associated with the accident. This may include ambulance services, medical treatment, doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and more.
While the injured bicyclist is unable to work, they may be missing out on days, weeks, or months of wages. The injury may even prevent the person from working in the future, and all of these lost wages could be counted as economic losses.
Although there may not be a specific dollar amount on certain damages, a lawyer could demonstrate that they should also be figured into the total compensation. These non-economic losses may include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship.
Missouri’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is typically five years from the date of the accident, although there are some exceptions. An experienced bike accident lawyer in St. Louis could help get a claim filed within the legal time limit. It is always a good idea to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident happened to confirm what the deadline would be.
Being in any type of accident can be extremely stressful and traumatic. If you were injured in a bike crash, do not hesitate to reach out for legal help from a St. Louis bicycle accident lawyer who assists you by examining the situation, determining fault, and filing a lawsuit if necessary. We want to help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us to schedule a free consultation to talk about your situation.