Valuing a Bike Accident Case

Due to the unprotected nature of bicycles, when a bike accident occurs the injuries are usually serious. To add to this, New York law does not require the use of a helmet, so head injuries are a common and serious concern. Often these accidents are due to a bike colliding with another car, truck, bus or other pedestrian. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bike accident case, you are likely looking for answers. You may be considering a legal action, but valuing a bike accident case is challenging. Speak with a skilled New York City bike accident lawyer from Stephen Bilkis and Associates for guidance and a free consultation.

Valuing a bike accident case can be complicated. There are a lot of variables involved and each case is unique. To determine the value of your case, our lawyers would need to determine the exact circumstances of your accident, who was at fault, the amount of economic damages, and type of insurance coverage. Because of the unprotected nature of a bike, injuries can be extensive and include a head injury, spinal injury and broken bones. It is important to speak with legal counsel as soon as possible to ensure your legal rights are protected.

Choosing the right law firm can be crucial to your case, whether you wind up in court or decide to settle. Our lawyers have won settlements and verdicts that range from $69 million dollars ($69,000,000), to $12 million dollars ($12,000,000). We are focused on ensuring that you get every dollar that you are due for your injuries.

When valuing a bike accident case, the following issues need to be assessed:

Compensable damages are the most common form of damages. A New York City bike accident lawyer can explain that the purpose of this type of damages is to compensate the accident victim for what they have lost.

Economic Damages: The party that was responsible for your injury can be liable for your lost wages. This means that if you lost a month from work to recover, you are entitled to reimbursement your lost wages and other expenses. This can also mean that if you are permanently injured and are unable to return to work, the defendant would be liable for your lost future earnings as well. This factor alone can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars alone if you are permanently unable to return to work.

Medical Damages: In assessing the value of a case, one of the biggest questions to answer is what are the medical costs involved? What are the extent of your injuries and will they require medical intervention in the future? The purpose of medical damages is to compensate the injured party for their current medical expenses as well as those in the future. This includes things like doctor visits, surgeries, medical equipment, and medications.

Pain and Suffering: This is a bit of a tricky area because no one can put a price on your suffering. It is a very subjective thing. When determining this amount, it is important to consult with a bike accident lawyer who serves the New York City area. They will often use a calculation, based on the severity of your injury, your age and other factors.

Insurance Coverage: Insurance is a very important consideration when valuing an injury case. Each insurance company will have their own process for handling an injury claim, and all will value a case differently.

The limits of a policy are crucial. If the policy limit for a case is $800,000 for instance, it will be very difficult to obtain a settlement or court award over that amount. Sometimes there may be other avenues to pursue in terms of insurance, such as an umbrella policy, which can be a way to obtain additional money.

While every case is unique, some recent personal injury cases yielded the following results:

Kings City, NY-$2,225,000 Verdict: Bus loses control knocking over a coffee cart injuring the plaintiff.

Orange County, NY $2,350,000 Verdict: Plaintiff walking on sidewalk struck by snow plow.

Suffolk City, NY-$2,100,000 Verdict: Driver hits a bicyclist entering an intersection.

If you have suffered injuries due to a bike accident, it is important to speak to one of our bike accident attorneys that serves the New York City area. Remember that the longer you wait, the harder it may be to obtain key evidence that is needed for your case. Witnesses memories fade, and policy reports can be lost. You deserve to be compensated for your injuries and monetary loss.

Whether you have been injured in a bike accident, auto accident or motorcycle accident, call Stephen Bilkis and Associates at 800.696.9529 for guidance. We will gather evidence on your behalf, and create a strategy to help you move forward with you case and get you the compensation you deserve. We have offices throughout New York City, including locations in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, Nassau County, Suffolk County and Westchester County.