Bicycle accidents often bring both immediate and long-term difficulties for victims. Cyclists may quickly find themselves worrying about finances and how to pay for their injuries and losses. Fortunately, if someone else’s negligence caused your accident, there’s a wide range of damages you may be able to recover. Call our bicycle accident attorneys in Washington D.C. to discuss your legal options today at (202) 919-5453.
Medical Expenses
In most cases, you’ll be able to recover your medical expenses that result from the accident. This could include:
- Emergency Medical Treatment: This covers the cost of ambulance transportation from the crash scene and pays for emergency room evaluations, diagnostic imaging, and any hospitalizations right after the accident.
- Ongoing Medical Care: This includes all required surgeries, both initial and follow-up, as well as physical therapy and occupational therapy costs. You can also claim costs for specialist visits and necessary follow-up appointments even weeks or months after the incident.
- Future Medical Expenses: You’re not limited to medical expenses you’ve already incurred. If you file a claim, you can recover expected costs for long-term rehabilitation, adaptive equipment (like wheelchairs), and major home modifications needed after the accident. The costs of future surgeries can be recovered in your injury claim as well.
Lost Income and Reduced Earning Capacity
You can also recover lost incomes and reduced earning capacity that results from the accident.
- Lost Wages: This includes compensation for any missed work during recovery, whether hourly, salaried, or contract employment. This payment may also cover sick leave and vacation time taken off for injury-related recovery, meaning both actual wage losses and used personal days can be accounted for. You can recover for future lost wages as well.
- Reduced Earning Capacity: This is available when injuries result in permanent disabilities or restrictions given by your doctor. It compensates for reduced capacity to work regular hours or achieve promotional milestones going forward. It basically allows you to collect compensation for no longer being able to earn as much money in the future because of your accident.
Property Damage Compensation
When a cyclist is injured, there is often property damage as well. Here’s what that can include:
- Bicycle Repair or Replacement: Compensation covers either the cost of repairing your damaged bicycle to good working order or the replacement value if the bicycle is totaled.
- Damaged Personal Property: Insurers or defendants can be required to pay for loss or repair of other damaged items, like helmets, cell phones, smart watches, eyeglasses, specialized cycling shoes or gear, and other equipment damaged in the crash.
Compensation for Pain and Suffering
Compensation can be sought for more than just physical injuries.
- Physical Pain: Compensation can be claimed for ongoing pain and discomfort resulting directly from accident injuries. It can be proven by prescription records, medical experts, and your personal account.
- Emotional Distress: Injury victims commonly experience anxiety, depression, or even PTSD after severe crashes. These are considered compensable damages in a personal injury claim. Compensation can also include mental anguish or loss of sleep aggravated or caused as a direct result of the trauma.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This is another type of intangible damage that can be claimed. This includes the inability or reduced ability to participate in daily routines, hobbies, household chores, or taking care of kids and other family roles.
Compensation for Permanent Injuries
It’s also possible to receive compensation for permanent injuries and how they affect you. This could include:
- Scarring and Disfigurement: This may involve recovery for lasting facial injuries, road rash, and surgical or other visible scars resulting from the accident or related medical treatments and surgeries.
- Long-Term Care Needs: Compensation accounts for the services required for ongoing recovery and daily assistance, including in-home health aides, follow-up care requirements, special therapies, and support for new health conditions resulting from injuries.
Cyclists injured as a result of someone else’s negligence shouldn’t have to handle the fallout on their own. It’s a good idea to seek support from a legal professional to make sure you get everything you’re entitled to. Call our DC personal injury lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.