When bicyclists get involved in accidents, they can sustain serious injuries. While their helmets can protect them against some kinds of head injuries, they may not be able to prevent internal brain trauma that results from a serious bump, blow, or shake during a strong impact accident. During this accident, the brain of a bicyclist can twist or bump against their skull. Additionally, the rest of their body usually makes a direct impact with obstacles on the road during a collision. Severe trauma in this type of accident leads to serious injuries that have both physical and financial consequences, which are called damages in bicycle accident claims.
If you have been in a bicycle accident in Connecticut, you may want to work with an experienced attorney who can help you build a strong claim. Your legal representative will help you maximize the compensation you can be awarded. In this kind of claim, you may be able to seek economic and non-economic damages.
Kinds of Injuries that Result from a Bicycle Accident
If a bicycle collides with a four-wheel vehicle, the bicyclist is vulnerable to severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries, back injuries, fractures, internal organ damage, spinal cord damage, soft tissue damage, limb loss, and others. The accident’s impact can affect the life of the victim for a long time or even forever.
Economic Damages That Can Be Recovered
Severe injuries are costly to treat, leading to financial challenges for a lot of injured victims and their loved ones. Economic damages following a Connecticut bicycle accident are tangible, which makes them easy to calculate. They include current and future medical expenses, lost income, and diminished future earning capacity if the victim becomes disabled after a bicycle accident.
A personal injury lawyer can calculate your damages to maximize your possible financial recovery. If a bicycle accident results in death, the close family members of the decedent can recover monetary compensation through a wrongful death claim or lawsuit.
Non-Economic Damages that You Can Seek
Your non-economic damages can be the accident’s most devastating effects. They include pain and suffering, loss of life enjoyment, loss of consortium, disfigurement, emotional damage, and traumatic limb loss.
While monetary compensation does not eliminate non-economic damages such as trauma or pain and suffering, it’s the means of the court to provide you with redress for the severe consequences of the at-fault party’s negligence. These damages can significantly increase your settlement amount or jury award.
Typically, compensation for both damages comes from the auto insurance policy of the liable party. The at-fault party can be the driver of the four-wheel vehicle, a defective auto part manufacturer, or a road maintenance agency. To prove that your non-economic damages severely affected your life, your lawyer will consult with therapists and medical experts.
Maximizing Your Financial Recovery
To maximize your insurance claim’s value following a bicycle accident, work with an accident lawyer as soon possible. Usually, the things that occur right after a collision can become significant details in your case. Seeking immediate medical attention helps increase your chances of a successful bicycle accident claim. Your medical reports will prove the occurrence and extent of your injuries.
Be prepared to provide a statement regarding the collision and your injury without jeopardizing your claim. Insurers will investigate your claim and send an insurance adjuster to interview you. Your lawyer can prepare you for this interview, ensuring you do not say anything that can harm your claim. Ideally, it is best to let your legal advocate handle talks and negotiations with an insurance adjuster. This advocate will protect your rights, help you navigate the legal intricacies, and fight for the compensation you deserve.