Being injured in a bicycle accident can turn your life upside down. This is especially so when medical bills start piling up and you’re unsure how much compensation you’re entitled to.
In California, estimating the value of your personal injury claim involves more than just adding up receipts. If you were harmed in a bicycle accident, some insight into how damages are calculated can help you make informed decisions and protect your due compensation.
Medical expenses
Start by gathering all the medical bills related to the accident. This includes emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy and prescriptions.
Remember to get documentation from your medical team about any anticipated future treatments related to your accident injuries. State law allows injured cyclists to recover both past and future medical costs, making it crucial to include everything, even expenses that haven’t surfaced yet.
Lost income and future earnings
If your injuries interfere with your work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages due to missed workdays, reduced hours or even lost job opportunities.
For more serious injuries, you may also be entitled to damages for loss of future earning capacity. Be sure to document your income before the accident and any changes caused by your recovery or accident injuries.
Pain and suffering calculations
California often uses two main approaches to calculate pain and suffering. The multiplier method multiplies your economic damages by 1.5 to 5 depending on injury severity.
Unfortunately, the risk of mistakes can be high when seeking compensation. Knowledgeable legal guidance can help ensure that everything has been accounted for — potentially strengthening your bicycle accident claim.
