Copyright © 2023 Gelb & Gelb, P.C. All rights reserved.
Bicycles offer many residents of DC a practical and economical mode of transportation. Despite their advantages, bikes also carry serious safety risks. When a cyclist collides with a car or truck, the bike rider typically gets the worst of it. In many cases, these accidents have long-term or even fatal consequences.
If you sustained severe injuries in a bicycle accident, you might be entitled to monetary compensation. By allowing a Washington DC bicycle accident lawyer to review your claim, you could obtain the guidance you need to move your injury claim forward. Assistance from Roger Gelb, a dedicated personal injury attorney, could make the difference in obtaining the compensation you need.
There are many different ways a bicycle accident can occur. Many of these accidents share similarities with collisions between two motor vehicles. A local attorney can advise a cyclist injured in an accident whether the specifics of their collision can lead to a personal injury claim.
Some of the most common bicycle accidents involve a motor vehicle colliding with the front or rear of the bike. This can happen when the cyclist is in motion or stopped at an intersection.
Other accidents are unique to cycling. For example, a driver that shares a lane with a cyclist could cause an accident by making a right turn in their path. Another common cause of bicycle accidents on busy city streets is “dooring.” Dooring involves a motorist opening the door of their vehicle directly in the path of an oncoming bike. These unexpected accidents often result in severe injuries.
The monetary compensation that comes with a successful bicycle accident claim can be significant. In general, this compensation falls into two broad categories, including economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are distinct because they are easily measured. This form of compensation can help an injured cyclist recover their out of pocket losses stemming from medical bills or other injury-related expenses. At trial, it is possible to establish the amount of economic damages owed through the use of receipts, bills, and invoices.
Non-economic damages present a challenge when it comes to establishing their value at trial. These damages are subjective, meaning there are no receipts or other documentary evidence that can be used at trial. Establishing the value of this type of bike accident compensation typically requires witness testimony.
Serious injuries routinely require cyclists involved in vehicle accidents to miss work. When this happens, the cyclist has the right to pursue compensation for their lost wages. This can include missed paychecks during their recovery as well as compensation for any future diminished earning power.
The most prominent form of economic damages in most bicycle accident lawsuits is medical bills. The cost of emergency room treatment, follow-up care, hospitalization, and necessary medication can be extensive. An injured cyclist has the right to recover these losses if they can establish that the defendant was negligent.
One common example of non-economic damages in a bicycle accident claim is pain and suffering. The physical pain that results from a serious injury can be significant, and it can last throughout the recovery process. A plaintiff has the right to seek monetary compensation for this physical suffering with help from a DC bike crash lawyer.
If you have sustained injuries in a DC bike crash, you might be entitled to an array of monetary compensation. Pursuing this compensation on your own can lower your chances of success, however.
By working with a Washington DC bicycle accident lawyer, you can give yourself the best chance to obtain a favorable outcome in your bike accident claim. Call Gelb & Gelb, P.C., right away to learn more about how an attorney could help your case.
Copyright © 2023 Gelb & Gelb, P.C. All rights reserved.