Bicycle accidents in Creve Coeur, MO, can leave victims with serious physical and emotional trauma, often resulting in costly medical expenses and lost wages. As cycling gains popularity in today’s world as a sustainable and enjoyable mode of transportation, riders must be aware of the important role a Creve Coeur bicycle accident lawyer can play in protecting their rights after an accident.
For help after an accident, contact Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers at (314) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation.
How Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Bicycle Accident in Creve Coeur
After a bicycle accident in Creve Coeur, Missouri, it’s crucial to hire a lawyer who can recover the compensation you’re entitled to. Here’s how our experienced Creve Coeur personal injury lawyers can help you:
- We will schedule a completely free consultation with you. During this meeting, we will offer an honest evaluation of your case and discuss the next steps.
- Following the initial consultation, we will conduct a thorough investigation of your accident, gathering crucial evidence such as police reports, medical records, witness statements, and video footage.
- Once all evidence has been gathered, we will work to determine who was at fault for the accident and calculate the extent of your damages.
- We will aggressively negotiate with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement that adequately compensates you for your physical and emotional distress.
- If the at-fault party refuses to negotiate in good faith, we can file a lawsuit against them on your behalf.
If you need help after a bicycle accident in Creve Coeur, Missouri, contact Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
What Is My Creve Coeur Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
There are several factors that can influence the value of a bicycle accident case. Below are some key considerations that can impact the potential payout of your claim:
- Extent and Severity of Injuries: The more severe your injuries, the higher the potential value of your claim. Medical bills, rehabilitation, and long-term care needs can all factor into the worth of your case.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries force you to miss work, the loss of income can be included as part of your claim. This can also include future lost wages if your ability to work has been permanently impacted.
- Pain and Suffering: This refers to the physical and emotional distress endured as a result of the accident. It’s important to document your pain and suffering, as well as any ongoing issues that may arise.
- Property Damage: The cost of repairing or replacing your bicycle and any other damaged property can be included in your claim.
- Liability: Establishing fault in a bicycle accident is crucial to receiving compensation. If the other party is found to be entirely at fault, your claim’s value may increase. However, if you are found to be partially at fault, this could reduce the amount of compensation you receive.
These are just a few examples of things that can impact how much your bicycle accident case in Creve Coeur is worth. Learn more about your legal rights and options by contacting our experienced personal injury lawyers.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims in Creve Coeur, Missouri?
Bicycle accident victims may have grounds to claim a range of damages depending on the nature of the incident and the extent of their injuries. These damages are generally categorized into two main types: compensatory damages and punitive damages.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages are intended to financially “make whole” the injured party by covering their expenses and losses resulting from the accident. These damages can be further divided into two subcategories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages account for the monetary expenses incurred as a direct result of the accident. Examples of economic damages include:
- Medical expenses: This includes all medical bills and associated costs, such as medication, surgeries, rehabilitation, and any ongoing or future medical care needed due to the injuries sustained.
- Lost wages: If the victim missed work or was unable to work for a period of time due to the injuries, they may be eligible to recover funds for the time they missed, as well as any future loss of earning capacity.
- Property damage: This includes compensation for the damage to or loss of the bicycle, safety gear, and any other personal property damaged during the accident.
You may be entitled to other types of economic damages as well, depending on the facts of your case.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages refer to the more abstract losses stemming from the accident, and they may not have an explicit monetary value. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering: This compensates the victim for the physical pain experienced due to the injuries.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If the injuries have left the victim unable to participate in activities they enjoyed before, they may be entitled to compensation for the diminished quality of their life.
- Emotional distress: This addresses the psychological impact of the accident on the victim, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
Oftentimes, non-economic damages can add up to the majority of a claim’s value.
Punitive Damages
While compensatory damages seek to restore the victim to their previous standing, punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault party for their wrongful actions. These types of damages are awarded when the responsible party intentionally harmed the plaintiff without just cause or acted with a deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of others.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For a Bicycle Accident in Missouri?
Missouri follows the doctrine of pure comparative negligence, which allows individuals to recover damages even if they are partially at fault for an accident. Under this rule, you can still be awarded compensation as long as you’re not 100% at fault. Your recovery will be reduced by the percentage of your fault in the accident.
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Bicycle Injuries
Bicycle accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, some of which can be life-altering or even fatal. Some common types of injuries sustained in bicycle accidents include:
- Head injuries: These can range from minor concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries. Wearing a helmet can help reduce the risk of head injuries, but it’s important to remember that helmets cannot prevent all head injuries.
- Fractures: Broken bones are common in bicycle accidents, particularly fractures to the wrists, arms, legs, and ribs.
- Road rash: This occurs when a cyclist’s skin is scraped against the pavement during a fall, resulting in painful abrasions.
- Spinal injuries: A cyclist can suffer from a compressed or fractured vertebra, which may lead to temporary or permanent paralysis.
- Facial injuries: Facial fractures, dental injuries, and eye injuries can all result from impact with the pavement or another object during a bicycle accident.
Contact our experienced Creve Coeur bicycle accident lawyers today for legal help.
What Causes Most Bicycle Accidents in Creve Coeur, Missouri?
While there are countless scenarios that can lead to a bicycle accident, some common causes include:
- Inattentive drivers: Many bicycle accidents occur when drivers fail to see or fail to yield to cyclists on the road, resulting in collisions.
- Dooring accidents: These accidents occur when parked car occupants open their doors into a cyclist’s path, causing the cyclist to collide with the door.
- Poor road conditions: Potholes, debris, and inadequate bike lanes can all contribute to bicycle accidents.
- Improper turns: Accidents can happen when drivers or cyclists make sudden or improper turns, cutting off the other party’s path.
- Alcohol or drug impairment: Both drivers and cyclists who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol are more likely to cause accidents.
Regardless of why your bicycle crash happened, you may be due compensation from the responsible party. Contact Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free initial consultation.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Bicycle Accident in Missouri?
To establish negligence in a Missouri bicycle accident case, the following four elements must be proven:
- Duty of care: The defendant (usually a motorist) had a legal obligation to exercise reasonable care while on the road, including the responsibility to prevent harm to others, such as cyclists.
- Breach of duty: The defendant failed to uphold their duty of care, meaning they did not act as a reasonably prudent driver would have in a similar situation.
- Causation: The defendant’s breach of duty directly caused the accident and the cyclist’s injuries.
- Damages: The cyclist suffered actual damages (e.g., medical expenses, property damage, or lost wages) as a direct result of the accident.
Our bicycle accident attorneys in Creve Coeur are highly experienced when it comes to proving negligence. We can handle your claim from start to finish while you recover from the accident. Get in touch with us today to learn more.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Bicycle Accident in Missouri?
Missouri law imposes a five-year statute of limitations on most personal injury lawsuits, including those arising from bicycle accidents. This means that you have five years from the date of the accident to bring a legal claim against the at-fault party.
If you fail to file the lawsuit within this time frame, your case may be dismissed, and you will be forever barred from seeking compensation for your injuries and damages.
Since there are exceptions to this deadline in some cases, we recommend that you contact our personal injury lawyers to confirm the timeline for your particular situation.
Contact Our Creve Coeur Bicycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
The aftermath of a bicycle accident can be immensely challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone. By seeking the assistance of a skilled Creve Coeur bicycle accident lawyer, you’re not only protecting your rights but ensuring the best possible outcome for your case. Contact Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
