Bicyclists are some of the most vulnerable people to share the roads in Kirkland and when they are involved in accidents the results are very often devastating. When a person in a bicycle accident suffers fatal injuries the survivors are often left traumatized, facing financial burdens, and uncertain about the future. If the victim was the main earning member of the family, the survivors are not only facing short-term financial struggles, but also long-term loss of household earnings.
Survivors of bicycle accident victims in Kirkland can claim compensation for their losses. No amount of money can ever make up for the loss of your loved one but you can claim pecuniary damages to ensure you do not have financial struggles as a result of the loss. Discuss your claim for compensation after the death of your loved one with a lawyer at Max Meyers Law: .
Parties Liable for Fatal Bike Injuries
When a person has suffered fatal bike injuries, the person’s loved ones can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the party whose negligence contributed to the accident. If the accident involved the bicyclist and a motorist, the motorist is liable for the injuries if his/her negligence caused the accident.
Under Washington law, the survivors of a bicycle accident victim can bring a wrongful death action, if the following conditions are met.
- The person died in the accident or because of injuries suffered in the accident
- The accident was caused by someone's negligence
- The person who died in the accident left survivors who will suffer financially because of the death
Damages Recoverable after a Fatal Bicycle Injury
In a wrongful death lawsuit – and survival action that seeks compensation on behalf of the decedent for his estate – survivors may claim the following wrongful death damages.
- Loss of the deceased’s earnings
- Medical expenses incurred by the deceased before the death
- Pain and suffering of the deceased before the death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Emotional distress
- Loss of insurance
- Loss of companionship and loss of consortium
- Loss of future earnings
- Loss of inheritance
In order to calculate these damages, the court or an insurance company will consider the age of the bicyclist at the time of death, his/her earning capacity, his/her overall health and life expectancy as well as other factors. If you have lost a loved one in an accident, speak to a bicycle accident lawyer about the kinds of compensation you can recover for your losses.
Who can file a claim for fatal bike injuries?
A personal representative of the bicyclist will file the wrongful death claim on behalf of the bicyclist's surviving family members. These beneficiaries may include the following individuals.
- The spouse of the bicyclist
- The registered domestic partner of the bicyclist
- The children or stepchildren of the bicyclist
A beneficiary may also be the personal representative of the deceased but will file a claim on behalf of all beneficiaries.
Get Started with Your Wrongful Death Claim, Call Max Meyers Law
You must file a wrongful death claim within three years from the date of death. Failure to do so can invalidate a claim, and therefore, it is important that you begin the process of filing a claim as soon as possible. Get started by contacting a lawyer. Your lawyer will conduct investigations, contact witnesses, and take other steps to establish the negligence of the other party, and to establish beneficiaries' wrongful death damages.
Discuss your claim with Max Myers at Max Meyers Law PLLC. We will identify all of the parties liable for the fatal bicycle accident, and work to recover compensation for beneficiaries. Call toll-free today to set up a consultation with a lawyer, or fill out our online consultation form.
