When you ride a bicycle in or near traffic, you’re constantly aware of how vulnerable you are to getting hit by a car. Even if you’re struck by a small car, the force of the collision can cause life-altering injuries for an unexpecting bicyclist.
As difficult as it is to bounce back from any kind of car collision on a bicycle, a hit and run bicycle accident makes the situation worse. In accidents like these, the driver may face charges, which makes your path to recovery and getting the compensation you deserve longer and more difficult.
This is assuming a bicyclist can recover from a car accident at all. A 2020 report[1] from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that 938 cyclists lost their lives to collisions with cars, while a staggering 38,886 suffered injuries. Bicyclists, combined with pedestrians, make up 14% of all highway fatalities annually.
Risk Factors for Fatal Bicycle Accidents
Anyone who rides a bicycle risks getting seriously injured or killed in a hit and run bike accident. Even the most careful, experienced riders are at risk, and some factors can make a fatal bike hit and run more likely to occur. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the following as some of the most significant risk factors of fatal bicycle accidents[2]:
- Adult bicyclists between the ages 55-69 are the most common group to experience deadly bike
- Male bicyclists are six times more likely to die in a bicycle accident than females.
- The majority of bicycle accident deaths occur in urban areas.
- Roughly 64% of bicycle deaths occur away from intersections where vehicle speeds tend to be higher, while 27% of deaths happen at intersections.
- About one-third of fatal bicycle accidents involve drivers or cyclists who were impaired by alcohol.
Surprisingly, adolescents, teens, and young adults experience non-fatal bicycle accidents more often than adults. Riders between the ages 10-24 account for roughly one-third of bicycle accidents treated in emergency rooms.
Types of Hit and Run Bicycle Accident Injuries
The consequences of hit and run bicycle accidents can be devastating. If they aren’t outright fatal, common hit and run bike accident injuries can include:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Facial injuries
- Abrasions
- Contusions
- Sprains
- Lacerations
- Brain or nerve damage
Any combination of these injuries can severely impact your quality of life and prevent you from working. They may leave you in constant pain and unable to work, which could put you in serious financial distress.
How Personal Injury Lawsuits Can Help Hit and Run Bicycle Accident Victims
If you or a loved one sustained an injury in a hit and run bicycle accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation from the driver involved, the driver’s insurance company, or both. Only a licensed attorney can tell you if you have a case for a bike and car collision lawsuit or a bike accident lawsuit involving a child. For many people hurt in bike hit and run accidents, a successful lawsuit may be their only hope of getting justice.
What is pre-settlement funding for a hit and run bicycle accident lawsuit?
Successfully pursuing a lawsuit can take time. While you recover from your injuries and are out of work, mounting medical bills may put you at risk of losing vital assets, including your home and vehicle. If your case takes too long in the court system, you may run out of resources before you’re able to see it all the way through.
Pre-settlement funding can help you out in a situation like this. By getting a portion of your final settlement in advance, you can have the resources you need to keep up the fight and see it through. At USClaims, our bike accident settlement funding isn’t a loan, which means you don’t need to pay anything back. Instead, we collect the part of your settlement you’ve sold when your settlement funds arrive. Didn’t win the case? No worries. You don’t have to pay anything.
Contrary to other pre-settlement lenders, we cap our interest and keep it simple. Whereas other lenders use compound interest with fees that double within a year, our interest fees typically take two years to increase.
How long does it take for you to get approved for pre-settlement funding for your hit and run bicycle accident lawsuit?
Unlike loans, pre-settlement funding has minimal red tape. There’s no credit check, no references, and no verification of your income. Once we approve your case and receive the signed contract, you may receive your funds within 24 business-day hours.
What are the requirements for pre-settlement funding for your lawsuit related to a hit and run bicycle accident?
In order to get approved for pre-settlement funding for your hit and run bicycle accident, your case must meet certain criteria. As a rule, your case needs to be:
- In the hands of a lawyer who’s working on contingency.
- Claiming money for real injuries and/or compensable damages.
- Likely to either prevail or reach a settlement.
How Much Money Can You Get Through Pre-Settlement Funding for Your Hit and Run Bicycle Accident Lawsuit?
The amount you get for pre-settlement funding varies from case to case, but it’s generally up to 10% of your claim amount. Your lawyer should be able to help us find the right number to get you the funding you need.
If you are the victim of a hit and run bicycle accident and have an ongoing lawsuit, we may be able to help you get pre-settlement funding to help you through. Apply on our website today or call 1-877-USCLAIMS to learn more.
FAQs
How much pre-settlement funding can you receive for your bicycle accident lawsuit?
The amount you can receive depends on the amount of your settlement, but you can expect to receive up to 10% of your total claim amount. At USClaims, we will work with you and your attorney to determine what amount is right.
Can you use pre-settlement funding for any expense while you recover from your bicycle accident injuries?
Yes, you can use your pre-settlement funding for any economic need you may have. We won’t ask for any receipts.
Sources
- TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS 2020 a Compilation of Motor Vehicle Crash Data.
- “Bicycle Safety | Transportation Safety | Injury Center | CDC.” Www.cdc.gov, 4 May 2022, www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/bicycle/.