Average Bicycle Accident Settlement in Missouri (2025)

By Zane T. Cagle | November 23, 2024 | Bicycle Accidents

When you are injured by a motor vehicle while on your bicycle, you may be able to recover the costs of your injury by pursuing compensation with their car insurance policy. One of the most common questions people ask is how much these settlements typically are. However, there is no average bicycle accident settlement in Missouri, at least not one that will help you know the value of your own settlement.

Bicycle accidents can lead to serious injuries that affect someone for months or decades of their life. These are losses that should be considered and compensated when a driver is to blame for the collision. Every accident and, therefore, every settlement is unique and can vary significantly depending on the circumstances. Understanding what factors influence the value of a settlement is more likely to help you understand the potential value of your case.

What Impacts the Value of a Settlement in Bicycle Accident Cases?

Every case is affected by numerous factors, which impact the outcome of your injury case. Knowing these factors can help you evaluate your settlement, but you are more likely to see a more accurate estimate from a legal professional. Some of the factors that can influence the value of a bicycle accident settlement include:

• Severe injuries. The primary influencing factor impacting compensation is how serious your injuries are after a bicycle accident. When a car collides with a bicycle, bicyclists can sustain catastrophic injuries, even in low-speed crashes.A settlement or verdict is made up of compensatory losses, meaning it compensates you for your financial and personal losses. More serious injuries result in more substantial losses. This includes economic losses like existing medical bills, future medical care needs, and income you lost during recovery. Compensatory losses also include non-economic losses like pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.

  The more serious your injuries are, the higher these costs and losses are. If your injuries disable you and prevent you from completing daily tasks or being employed, a settlement must be higher to make up for these losses.

• Legal representation. You are more likely to recover the maximum available compensation with legal representation, so a settlement is usually higher when you work with an attorney. Personal injury attorneys know how to calculate the cost of your injuries, investigate the cause of the accident, and hold the insurance carrier liable.Insurers do not want to pay you a settlement that fairly compensates you. Without legal representation, you are more likely to accept a lowball settlement because you are unaware of the true value of your case. An attorney can ensure that a proposed settlement meets your economic and non-economic losses or pursue litigation if necessary.
• Settlement or trial. Injury cases are typically handled through settlement negotiations or may have to be litigated in trial. Each case is unique. You and your attorney determine the best strategy based on your specific facts.
• Comparative fault. Accidents do not always have one clear-cut at-fault party. In some cases, both you and the driver may be partially to blame for the accident. Insurance carriers may argue that because you were partially to blame, you should not recover any compensation. An attorney can take your case to court, where the judge or jury can determine the percentage fault of each party.

In Missouri, as long as you are not 51% or more at fault, you can still recover the cost of your injuries. Whatever your percentage fault is determined to be is the amount the final verdict will be reduced by. This determination can influence the value of your settlement. An attorney can advocate for your side of things and potentially limit the amount you are found to be liable.

FAQs

How Much Are Most Personal Injury Settlements?

There is no set amount for most personal injury settlements in Missouri. The compensation for an accident is mostly dependent on the severity of your injuries, and each person’s injuries are unique. A settlement’s value may also rely on:

• The supportive evidence in your case including proving fault and the cost of your injuries.
• What type and amount of insurance coverage is involved.
• If you are working with legal representation and the skill and experience of that representation.
• Whether the case is settled through negotiation or goes to trial.
• If the court determines you to be partially liable.

How Long After a Bicycle Accident Can You Pursue Compensation in Missouri?

After a bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle in Missouri, you have five years to pursue compensation. You should never wait this long, however, as there may be little to no evidence left to build a case. You want to find an attorney right after a bicycle accident so that they can review your incident and determine if you have the grounds to pursue compensation against the at-fault driver’s insurer. If the five-year statute of limitations expires, you will be forever barred from financial recovery.

How Are Bicycle Accident Settlement Amounts Determined?

Bicycle settlement amounts involving other motor vehicles are determined largely based on your injuries in the accident and how those injuries are expected to affect your life. More serious injuries result in more significant losses.

For example, if you sustained a serious traumatic brain injury in a bike accident caused by another motorist, this injury requires costly treatment and could potentially disable you for the rest of your life. You may be unable to work again. These losses must all be considered when calculating a full settlement.

Why Do I Need a Bicycle Accident Attorney?

You need a bicycle accident attorney because it is not easy to recover physically and financially after such an accident involving another vehicle. Even when it seems clear that a driver is to blame for your injuries, holding their insurance liable is often a difficult task.

It is even harder to think about resolving a legal case when you are dealing with painful injuries. Insurers do not look out for your best interests. An attorney can look out for your rights and financial interests, pursuing compensation for you and securing the most financial recovery possible.

Find the Right Bicycle Accident Attorney to Pursue Compensation for Your Injuries

At The Cagle Law Firm, we have helped injured individuals for decades, including injured cyclists. If you have been injured because a driver was careless or distracted, you could pursue compensation. Contact The Cagle law Firm today and see how we can help.

About The Author

Zane T. Cagle

Zane T. Cagle is the founding president and lead trial attorney at The Cagle Law Firm. With a strong dedication to his clients, he has built a reputation for his tenacious representation in personal injury cases, ensuring each client's unique story is heard.Areas of Practice: Personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death.Bar Admissions: Supreme Court of Missouri, Illinois & Kentucky. Superior Court of U.S. Virgin IslandsEducation: Washington University School of Law.Awards: Super Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers Association, 10 Best in Missouri for Customer Satisfaction.

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