If a drunk driver caused your bicycle accident, you can file a claim seeking compensation for your damages. Max Meyers Law can help. Call to set up a consultation about your case.
Keep reading to learn what to do if a drunk driver hit you while you were riding your bike, what to expect next, and the damages you can seek to recover.
First Steps After a Bike Accident With an Impaired Driver
Give a Description of the Vehicle
Since the drunk driver is already not making good decisions, he might make another bad choice and drive away from the scene, creating a hit and run scenario. If you can, make a note of the car’s license plate so you can give it to the police. Note the make, model, color, and approximate age of the car. Tell the officer every detail you noticed, no matter how little. Were there any passengers in the car?
Get Medical Care
If you did not already see a doctor or get emergency treatment, make an appointment to see your doctor for an evaluation. Even if you do not feel injured, see a doctor because some injuries might not be readily apparent after the accident. Some minor aches and bruises might indicate more serious injuries.
Talk to a Lawyer
Call Max Meyers at 425-399-7000 to talk about your case. If another party caused your accident and resulting injuries, you can pursue a liability claim against that party. In this case, the drunk driver may be liable for your physical, emotional, and financial damages.
Criminal vs. Civil Drunk Driving Accident Cases
The impaired driver may face criminal charges. But the outcome of the criminal case does not mean the civil case will end the same way. For example, if the defendant is not guilty in the criminal case, it does not mean he or she will be not liable in the civil case.
However, information from the criminal case may be applicable to the civil case. For example, BAC test results from the criminal case may help prove the defendant’s negligence and liability for your damages.
What Kinds of Damages Can You Recover After a Bike Accident With an Impaired Driver?
Once you establish the drunk driver’s liability, you may recover compensation for the same types of damages as for any motor vehicle accident. These can include:
- Your medical bills for reasonable and necessary care for your injuries from the crash. These damages can include the ambulance, emergency room, x-rays and other imaging, diagnostic testing, initial procedures and treatments, prescription drugs, hospitalization, physical therapy, and other treatment.
- Many people who sustain significant injuries face long-term medical care. We will build your case to justify an award for your future medical bills. You should not, however, settle your case until you know how your injuries will impact your life. If you settle too early and then incur new medical bills that the settlement did not cover, you can be stuck with having to pay those bills yourself.
- Your lost wages while receiving treatment or therapy and while recuperating. You may also qualify to recover lost earning potential if you cannot work in the same capacity as you did prior to the accident.
- Disability. Bike crashes with motor vehicles can result in catastrophic injuries. You may qualify to recover compensation for disabilities stemming from the accident.
- Disfigurement. In many bike wrecks, the rider goes airborne from the bicycle. This can result in facial trauma, which can cause long-term or permanent scarring and disfigurement. We can include this item in your settlement package.
- Severe injury causes pain and suffering. We will negotiate a fair amount of compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. If your injuries make you unable to perform certain activities or hobbies, such as riding your bicycle, it could affect your quality of life. We can pursue compensation for loss of enjoyment of life as part of your settlement.
If a drunk driver caused your bicycle accident, you may qualify to recover compensation for your damages. Call the accident team at Max Meyers Law today at 425-399-7000 today to set up your no-obligation, no-cost claim evaluation.