What damages can I pursue in a bike accident case?
People ride bicycles for different reasons. Some people choose to ride them for the exercise they provide, others because they are an environmentally friendly mode of transportation. Still, others ride them because they are budget-friendly or much easier to park than a larger motor vehicle. Whatever the reason you ride a bike, you have as much right to the roadways as anyone else, including those in cars, trucks, and buses. So when you are injured while biking, you deserve to recover from the party responsible for your injuries.
Types of Damages Available In a Florida Bike Accident Case
There are three different types of damages available for victims of bike accidents in Florida. They are economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the easiest type of damages to prove in a Florida bike accident case. They are designed to compensate the injured party for what the car accident has cost them monetarily in the past, as well as what it will cost them monetarily in the future. There are typically receipts and other documentation to show how these damages are calculated.
Common examples of economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Medication
- Equipment or other medical devices needed
- Replacement or repair of the bicycle
- Loss of earning capacity
- Long-term medical care treatment
- Necessary surgeries
Noneconomic Damages
Noneconomic damages are different from economic damages and are designed to help place the injured party in the same position they would have been in had the bicycle accident not occurred. They are not as tangible as economic damages as they are designed to compensate the victim for both physical and mental losses. They are not as easy to quantify with a monetary value. Because of this, noneconomic damages are typically much higher than economic damages. Common examples of non-economic damages include:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship
- Mental Anguish
- Disability and disfigurement
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not often awarded in Florida bike accident cases. This is because they are only available in cases where it can be proven that the defendant acted with gross negligence or intentional misconduct. As the name “punitive” implies, these damages are not intended to compensate the injured party. Instead, they are designed to punish the defendant for their wrongdoing. Punitive damages also serve as a deterrent to others to prevent them from engaging in the same wrongful conduct as the defendant.
A Florida Bike Accident Attorney On Your Side
When you have been injured while riding your bicycle in Florida, you need the assistance of personal injury lawyers that can help you recover the compensation you are owed. Contact the skilled attorneys at Martin Law Firm, P.L., to find out how we may be of assistance to you. We may be reached by calling 239-323-9820 or via our contact page.