Getting around by bike is cheap, healthy, and good for the environment—but it comes with risks. If you’re hit by a car while riding, the damage can go far beyond the physical. Medical bills, missed work, and long-term pain can take a serious toll. Missouri law gives injured cyclists the right to seek money for what they’ve lost.
Our award winning Missouri bicycle accident lawyers know how important it is to understand every type of damage that might apply to your case. Below, we break down what kinds of compensation may be available after a bike accident in Missouri.
Damages You Can Recover After a Bike Accident in Missouri
Getting hurt in a bike accident can leave you facing more than just physical pain. Medical bills stack up fast. You might miss work, lose income, and deal with long-term issues that change how you live. Missouri law gives injured cyclists the right to seek money for what they’ve lost.
These losses fall into three main categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Each one covers a different kind of harm, and understanding the difference can help you figure out what to include in your claim.
Economic Damages
These cover the real, measurable financial losses tied to your injuries. If it costs money and you can show proof, it falls under this category.
Medical Expenses
You can be paid back for all current medical bills, including hospital visits, doctor checkups, surgery, medication, rehab, or physical therapy. If your injuries are serious and you’re still being treated when you file your claim, your lawyer should ask your doctor to estimate future treatment costs.
This includes long-term care, follow-up surgeries, or therapy you’ll need down the road.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
If you had to miss work after the accident, you can ask for the income you lost. Your doctor will need to confirm that you were unable to work for a certain period.
If your injuries keep you from going back to work at all—or if they limit what kind of work you can do—you may also be entitled to future lost wages. In these cases, things like your age, work history, and job skills will factor into how much you can receive.
Property Damage
You can get reimbursed for damage to your bike, helmet, gear, or anything else that was broken in the crash. If your bike can be fixed, you can claim the repair costs. If it’s totaled, you can ask for what it was worth right before the crash. A bike shop may need to provide an estimate to help prove the value.
Replacement Services
Some injuries make it hard to take care of everyday responsibilities. If you need help with things like childcare, housework, or getting around, you can include those costs in your claim.
These are called replacement services. To get compensated, your doctor may need to say that your injuries keep you from doing these tasks on your own.
Non-Economic Damages
These aren’t as easy to measure, but they can be just as important. They deal with the personal impact of the accident on your life.
Pain and Suffering
Serious injuries often bring serious pain. That pain can last for weeks, months, or even longer. You can be compensated for both physical pain and mental suffering tied to the accident. This includes things like ongoing discomfort, anxiety, and depression.
Emotional Distress
A bad crash can leave you shaken long after the wounds heal. If you’re struggling with anxiety, nightmares, or panic attacks, you may be entitled to compensation for emotional distress. A doctor or therapist may need to document what you’re going through to support your claim.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
If your injuries keep you from doing things you used to love—like cycling, sports, or even just playing with your kids—you can include that loss in your claim. These damages are hard to put a dollar figure on, but they’re part of what the court will consider when deciding how much you should receive.
Loss of Consortium
If your injuries affect your relationship with your spouse or children, that loss may also be compensable. It includes loss of companionship, support, or intimacy. In some cases, your spouse can also bring this type of claim.
Punitive Damages
Unlike economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages aren’t meant to make up for your losses. Instead, they’re meant to punish the other driver if their actions were especially reckless or harmful.
These damages are harder to get, but they may apply if the driver was intoxicated, speeding excessively, or showed clear disregard for your safety. You’ll need strong evidence to prove that level of misconduct.
If you’re hurt in a bike accident, the damages go far beyond the surface. A skillful lawyer can help you put together the full picture—every dollar spent, every day missed, and every way your life has changed. Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers understands Missouri law and how to fight for everything you’re owed.
Steps To Take After a Missouri Bicycle Accident
Getting hit while riding your bike can leave you hurt, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next. Your health comes first, but taking the right steps afterward can also protect your legal rights. These steps can help preserve evidence, support any injury claims, and reduce long-term consequences.
Immediate Actions at the Scene
The moments right after a bicycle accident are critical. Here’s what to do to stay safe and set the foundation for any future claim:
- Get to safety – If you’re able to move, get out of the road to avoid further harm. If your bike is blocking traffic, try to move it only if it’s safe.
- Call 911 – Always report the crash, even if it seems minor. Ask for both police and emergency medical help. A police report and medical records can be essential if you need to file a claim later.
- Do not move anyone with a head, neck, or back injury – Unless there’s immediate danger, wait for trained emergency personnel. Moving someone too soon can make injuries worse.
- Accept medical treatment – Let paramedics check you out, even if you feel okay. Some injuries don’t show up right away, including brain trauma or internal bleeding.
- Gather contact information – If you’re able, get the names, phone numbers, insurance details, and license plate numbers of the driver and any witnesses.
- Take photos – Document the scene, damage to your bike, road conditions, traffic signs, and visible injuries. These images can serve as key evidence later on.
- Avoid discussing fault – Don’t apologize or admit blame at the scene. Stick to the facts when speaking with police or others involved.
Steps to Take After You Leave the Scene
Once you’ve gotten medical attention and left the crash site, it’s important to stay organized and proactive. These next steps will help support your case and your recovery:
- Get a copy of the accident report – If police responded to the scene, ask for a copy of the report. If they didn’t, Missouri law requires the driver to file a report within 10 days if there was injury or property damage over $750.
- Follow all medical instructions – Keep up with follow-up visits, physical therapy, and any treatments your doctor recommends. Skipping appointments could hurt your claim.
- Keep a recovery journal – Record your pain levels, emotional struggles, or changes in your ability to do everyday tasks. This can help show how the crash affected your life.
- Save all records – Hold on to medical bills, receipts, and paperwork related to lost work or property damage. These documents will be useful when it’s time to calculate your damages.
- Don’t accept a quick insurance offer – The at-fault driver’s insurance company might offer you money to settle the case fast. Don’t accept without knowing the full extent of your injuries or speaking with a lawyer.
- Talk to an attorney – Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers can help if you’ve been injured. Our team will look at the full impact of the crash—medical costs, lost wages, future care, and more—and help you get what you’re owed.
Even if your injuries don’t seem serious right away, complications can surface weeks later. You might end up needing long-term care, or missing more work than expected. Insurance companies don’t always offer a fair settlement upfront, which is why it helps to have someone in your corner.
Award Winning Missouri Bike Accident Lawyers
Bicycle accidents can leave you seriously hurt and stuck with medical bills, bike damage, and time off work. Insurance companies often push low settlement offers before you’ve even had a full medical evaluation. They want a quick payout—not a fair one. That’s why it’s important to understand your legal options before signing anything.
Filing a personal injury claim gives you the time to figure out the full extent of your injuries, the cost of future treatment, and how the crash has affected your life. It also helps fight back against unfair assumptions.
Drivers and insurers often blame cyclists, claiming they don’t follow traffic laws. These biased views can reduce the value of your case unless you have someone pushing back.
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we understand the challenges cyclists face, and we’ll fight to get you the full compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Some of the cities in Missouri our legal team has helped victims of bicycle accidents include St. Louis, Florissant, O’Fallon, Jefferson City, Independence, Springfield, and more.
