Bike Accident Pain and Suffering Damages

If you are the victim of a bicycle accident in Illinois due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. While many of the consequences of a bicycle accident are financial, this does not cover the entire scope of the impact on your life. One category of losses you may qualify for is bike accident pain and suffering damages.

After a collision involving a bicycle, a personal injury claim can help you recover compensation for the full impact of the crash, not just the medical bills. At Chicago Bike Injury Lawyers, we stand with cyclists across the Windy City and Illinois who are living with chronic pain and emotional distress after a bicycle crash.

What Are Pain and Suffering Damages in Illinois Bicycle Accident Cases?

Pain and suffering damages can refer to various circumstances that the victim is experiencing. According to the Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions under code §30.05, a measure of damages can be assessed that includes past and future pain and suffering as a result of the injuries.

This loss falls under the larger category of non-economic damages, which can include physical pain, emotional anguish, mental trauma, and loss of quality of life. For cyclists who have been hurt in a motor vehicle accident, symptoms like nerve pain, sleeplessness, an inability to return to riding, and PTSD after a hit-and-run could all be considered under pain and suffering.

Pain and suffering damages following bike crashes

How Is Pain and Suffering Calculated After a Bicycle Accident?

Pain and suffering, along with other non-economic losses, are often calculated with one of two methods. Here is how your settlement value may be assessed:

Multiplier Method – Most injury cases include economic losses like medical expenses or lost income. If there are non-economic damages also involved, a factor may be used to multiply those economic losses based on the severity of the injuries. The factor used typically falls between 1.5 and 5. As an example, a cyclist who suffers a fractured spine and six months of rehabilitation will have a higher multiplier than a biker with minor road rash.
Per Diem Method – For this strategy, a daily “rate” is chosen based on the victim’s level of pain, and they will receive that amount for each day until their recovery.

What Evidence Is Needed to Prove Pain and Suffering?

Our attorneys can help you prove pain and suffering with the following types of evidence:

Medical records
Physician statements
Testimony from therapists or mental health counselors
Pain management prescription documentation
Impact statements
Day-in-the-life videos

What Other Damages Are Available to Bicycle Accident Victims in Illinois?

Other types of damages after a bike collision include the following:

Lost Wages

If you miss time at work because of the injuries you suffered, you can recover lost income from the legal claim. This could also include losses for a diminished ability to work in the future.

Medical Expenses

Costs associated with diagnosis and treatment can be included in the payout, such as emergency room visits, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and therapy. Future medical expenses can also be assessed.

Emotional Distress

An emotional distress loss may include PTSD, depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicide ideation, or a fear of riding a bike.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

While broken bones may heal, some injuries and mental traumas may prevent the victim from finding joy in life the way they did before the incident.

How Our Chicago Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help

Our law firm is committed to supporting victims of bicycle accidents, including those who are in physical pain or struggling with emotional trauma. We believe in empathy over aggressiveness and will believe in your case, fighting for acknowledgment of what you have endured.

Our legal services include:

Gathering evidence
Speaking to witnesses
Establishing liability
Proving negligence
Obtaining medical records
Negotiating with insurers
Litigating in civil court

We have secured numerous settlements for past clients, including $2.25 million for a commuter struck on her way to work and $1 million for a woman involved in a dooring accident. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you owe nothing unless we win.

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312-646-3708

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A little over 3 months ago I was involved in a bicycle accident in the city. I was side swiped by a cab driver who did not stop. I was lucky enough to get the cab company’s name before the driver was completely...

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