Throughout the Kansas City metro, many people enjoy bike riding both as a pleasurable leisure activity and as an alternative form of transportation. Bike lanes along specific streets cover dozens of miles in the City of Fountains, and other designated areas make it easy for people to pedal around. Unfortunately, negligent motorists are often unaware of bicyclists’ rights, resulting in severe crashes, with unprotected cyclists suffering the brunt of the injuries. 
If this happened to you or a loved one, you may be curious about the type of bike accident damages available in Kansas City. Research experienced bike accident lawyers who can examine the evidence, evaluate your losses, and prepare a case to protect your compensation.
Types of Bicycle Accident Damages
Every bicycle accident case is unique, and the specific damages you can recover depend on the circumstances of your accident. Consulting a personal injury lawyer right after your incident helps you understand your rights and pursue rightful compensation. In Kansas City, you may be able to recover the following damages.
Medical expenses
This includes the cost of immediate medical treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and future medical costs related to the accident.
Property damage
If your bicycle or other personal property was damaged in the accident, you can seek compensation to repair or replace those items.
Lost wages
If your injuries from the bike accident caused you to miss work, you may be entitled to recover the income lost during the recovery period. This includes both current and future lost wages if your injuries result in long-term or permanent disability.
Pain and suffering
Bicycle accidents can cause physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish. Compensation for pain and suffering is intended to address the emotional and psychological toll of the accident.
Loss of enjoyment of life
If the accident resulted in a diminished ability to participate in activities or enjoy hobbies that you previously enjoyed, you could recover non-economic damages for the loss of enjoyment of life.
Additionally, if your loved one died due to a Kansas City bicycle accident, you may have the option to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages. Damages for wrongful death include the following:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Funeral and burial costs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
Steps to Take After a Kansas City Bike Accident
After being involved in a bike accident in Kansas City, it’s imperative to protect your legal rights and possible compensation. One of the first things to do is to seek medical attention for any injuries, even if they appear minor. Then:
Report the accident
Call emergency personnel and law enforcement to the scene. File a police report and provide an accurate account of the accident. Make sure to obtain a copy of the report to use as evidence for your case.
Document the scene
If you’re able to remain at the scene, take photos of the accident, your injuries, other vehicles involved, and any visible property damage. Collect contact information from any witnesses who may have observed the accident and any other party involved in the accident.
Preserve evidence
Keep any evidence of the accident, such as damaged bicycle parts, clothing, or other personal belongings. This evidence can be crucial in establishing liability and the extent of your damages.
Avoid admitting fault
While it may seem innocent to apologize for a bike accident, this can be used against your case.
Don’t post on social media sites
Anything you post can be used against you. Avoid posting details about the accident—and your recovery—on social media sites, as it might jeopardize your claim.
Consult a personal injury lawyer
To keep your legal rights and possible compensation protected, consult with a skilled Kansas City personal injury lawyer who specializes in bicycle accidents as soon as possible.
How a Lawyer Can Help Your Case
A bike accident lawyer has in-depth knowledge of the legal system and can navigate complex laws and regulations to build a strong case. Here are just a few of the steps they take to ensure you receive the maximum compensation:
Gather evidence
This includes police and medical reports, photos of the accident scene, and eyewitness testimony. An attorney also consults experts if necessary to reinforce aspects of your case.
Calculate the value of your damages
Based on the evidence gathered, a lawyer calculates the value of your damages and fights for a full and fair settlement.
Negotiate with insurance companies
Insurance company adjusters frequently try to protect the bottom line and pressure people to settle for less than what their claim is worth. A bike accident lawyer prevents this by handling all communications with insurance companies, protecting you from potential tactics used to undervalue or deny your claim.
Provide legal representation. If your case goes to court, a knowledgeable lawyer should be able to provide strong representation and present your case effectively to the judge and jury, increasing your chances of a favorable outcome. When choosing legal representation, review a firm’s successful case results to ensure it has the skills you need to secure the bicycle accident damages you deserve.Have You Or a Loved One Been Injured In A Kansas City, Missouri Bicycle Accident?
If you've been hurt in a Kansas City area bicycle accident you should speak with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact us online or call our office directly at 816.832.4688 to schedule your free consultation. We are proud to serve Kansas City, Missouri and the surrounding area and look forward to speaking with you.
