What Is the Average Bicycle Accident Claim Payout in New York?

Bicycle accident claim payouts in New York can range from hundreds or thousands to millions of dollars, but determining an average settlement amount is very difficult. Your settlement will be determined based on your specific injuries and losses, not on how much other cyclists received.

Our New York bicycle accident lawyers have been representing injury victims since 1992. We know how to fight for the money our clients are entitled to, even in the most complex cases.

Damages You Can Recover After a Bicycle Accident in NY

The average settlement for a bicycle accident will include a combination of the following types of damages:

Non-economic Damages

Non-economic damages are the physical and psychological consequences associated with your bike crash. In your personal injury claim, you could ask for non-economic damages like:

• Pain and suffering, which includes past and future physical and mental distress caused by your injuries or the accident itself
• Reduced quality or enjoyment of life, if you now have difficulty living independently, spending time with loved ones, or performing fun activities
• Disability, if you suffered injuries that prevent you from freely using the injured body part

Economic Damages

Your financial expenses and losses make up your economic damages. The at-fault party in your auto accident owes you reimbursement for:

• Lost wages if you are unable to work temporarily, or lost earning capacity if your ability to work is permanently affected
• Any other income or benefits you have missed out on, such as union benefits or health insurance
• Medical bills for any and all necessary treatments for your accident injury
• Property damage, especially if your bike was damaged and you had to pay for repairs or a replacement
• Out-of-pocket expenses if, for example, you need to hire someone to help you at home

Wrongful Death Damages

If your loved one passed away from their bike accident injuries, your family could be entitled to a settlement that includes:

• The pain and suffering your loved one experienced prior to their passing
• Lost financial support, if your loved one helped pay the bills
• Other economic damages, such as funeral expenses or final medical bills

Factors Affecting Bicycle Accident Case Payouts in NY

NY personal injury settlement amounts depend on a variety of factors. Our bike accident lawyers need to review your case and investigate the unique circumstances surrounding your injury to determine what bicycle accident settlement amount is reasonable.

These circumstances include but are not limited to:

The Severity of Your Bike Accident Injuries

As a general rule, the more serious your injuries are, the more money you could recover. This is because serious injuries are more likely to result in high medical bills, substantially reduced income, and extreme physical and emotional distress.

Examples of potentially serious injuries include:

• Brain injury and concussion
• Spinal cord injuries
• Fractures
• Scarring
• Organ damage
• Burn injuries
• Amputation

Types and Amounts of Available Insurance

The insurer you file a claim with and how much insurance each party has will also affect your payout. For instance, according to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), drivers must carry at least $25,000 worth of bodily injury liability coverage for each person they injure in an auto accident. However, they can also have insurance coverage that greatly exceeds minimum limits.

We will determine what the liable party’s insurance limits are and how to recover a settlement that covers all of your losses.

Whether Your Case Goes to Trial

In many cases, the insurance company will agree to pay a bicycle accident settlement. In cases where they do not offer a just amount, we can take your case to court and present your case for the jury’s consideration. The jury will then decide how much money to award you.

Whether You Are Partly at Fault for the Collision

If a bicyclist negligently contributes to their own injuries — for example, if they disobeyed a traffic sign — they can still collect damages. However, your negligence will affect how much money you can receive: the greater your percentage of liability, the more your payout will be reduced to reflect this.

Call Now for a Free Consultation

Contact Oresky & Associates, PLLC, at (718) 993-9999 for a free, confidential consultation today. Our attorneys are ready to start protecting your rights.

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How Can I Maximize My Bicycle Claim Settlement Amount?

There are certain actions and precautions you can take to maximize your settlement and protect yourself against the insurance company’s attempts to minimize what they pay you:

• See a doctor: Go to the emergency room or see your regular doctor right away. Follow through on whatever treatments they recommend. Receiving prompt care protects your health and establishes a connection between the collision and your injuries.
• Collect evidence: If it is safe to do so, get the at-fault driver’s name and insurance information before leaving the accident scene. You should also take photos of your bike, the vehicle that hit you, the roadway, and your injuries.
• Preserve evidence: Keep copies of everything related to your case, including medical bills, repair bills, and correspondence with your employer regarding your inability to work.
• Speak to our law firm: The sooner you hire our New York personal injury lawyers, the sooner we will start creating a strategy to advocate for your rights.
• Do not speak to the insurer alone: Their main goal is to pay you as little as possible. Do not say or sign anything until you get a chance to consult with our New York lawyers.

Begin Your Bike Accident Claim Today

Do not worry about the average bicycle accident settlement amount. Instead, let Oresky & Associates, PLLC, fight for the amount you need to rebuild your life and support your family. We once recovered $450,000 for a client who was injured while riding an electric bicycle. Our legal team will work just as hard to recover your New York bicycle accident claim payout.

Start with a free consultation by calling us at (718) 993-9999.