Bicycle Accident Settlement Calculator

Use our bicycle accident calculator to estimate claim value and learn about key variables that impact how much your case may be worth. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Table of Contents

• Settlement Calculator
• Average Settlement
• Settlement Examples
• Settlement Variables
• Other Considerations
• Legal Help
• FAQs

Note: This is not a definitive or guaranteed settlement amount. Rather, our tools serve as informative online tools to help you provide an estimate of how much your bicycle accident claim may be worth.

Average Bicycle Accident Settlement Amount

The average bicycle settlement amount in the United States is approximately $233,028 and the median settlement is $45,000, which is a more accurate representation of the typical settlement amount. Data is based on 297 bicycle accident cases recorded by Thomson Reuters in the last 5 years (between 2019 and 2024).

Settlement data is as follows:

• Highest settlement amount: $353,000,000 – A married couple were riding their bicycles in the designated bicycle lane when the driver of a motor vehicle collided with the wife. Upon investigation, officers determined that the individual who was operating the vehicle was under the influence of alcohol. The husband received $250M for punitive damages, $100M for non-economic damages, and $3M for economic damages.
• Lowest settlement amount: $10,000 – While riding a bicycle, an individual was struck by a motor motor vehicle. The motor vehicle was found to be illegally parked, which resulted in an obstruction of view, which was alleged to have contributed to the cause of the accident. As a result of the bicycle accident, the individual riding the bike suffered a right leg laceration.
• Median settlement amount: $45,000 – The median represents the settlement amount of the dataset. This figure is more an accurate representation of the typical bicycle accident settlement amount because it is not subject to being skewed by extremely high or low settlement amounts like the average.

Note: This settlement amount data is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as a guaranteed settlement value for your bicycle accident case. If you are eligible to recover compensation, your settlement may be higher or lower than the amounts provided above depending on the various factors of your case.

Bicycle Accident Settlement Examples

Bicycle accident settlements less than $100K

• $15K settlement – A minor was lawfully operating a bicycle when struck by a vehicle, resulting in personal injuries. The minor’s parent filed a lawsuit against the driver, alleging negligence and seeking damages for personal injuries, medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, interest, costs, and attorney fees. The defendant denied liability. The parties agreed to a settlement, which was approved by the court, and the proceeds were ordered to be distributed.
• $50K settlement – A minor was riding a bicycle and swerved into the path of a motorist, resulting in injuries including a fractured bone, a hematoma, and a mild traumatic brain injury. A structured settlement of $50,000 was reached with the motorist and associated parties for the minor’s personal injury claim. The minor’s mother filed a petition seeking court approval of the settlement. The court approved the settlement and ordered the distribution of the proceeds.
• $75K settlement – A wrongful death and survival action was brought after an individual died while riding a bicycle on a highway when a vehicle disregarded a traffic light at an intersection and collided with the individual. The estate contended that the defendants were negligent, while the defendants denied liability. The parties agreed to a $75,000 settlement, with the defendant’s insurer paying $50,000 and the decedent’s insurer paying $25,000. The individual was survived by two children.

Bicycle accident settlements between $100K and $499K

• $125K settlement – Two minors were riding bicycles on the sidewalk when a vehicle exited a parking lot and struck one of them, causing a fractured hip. The guardian of the injured minor filed a lawsuit against the driver, the postal service, and the government. The plaintiffs alleged the driver failed to ensure the path was clear. The injured minor sought compensation for personal injuries, medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and loss of enjoyment of life, while the other minor sought compensation for mental and physical pain and suffering.
• $300K settlement – A minor was riding a bicycle on the sidewalk when struck by a pickup truck turning into a parking lot. The driver was insured by one insurance company, and the minor had supplemental uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with another insurance company. The minor suffered multiple injuries, including fractures to both legs and a rib, as well as acute blood loss anemia, pneumothorax, pulmonary contusions, respiratory failure, abdominal wall abrasions, leg length discrepancy, and varus malalignment of the left index finger, both potentially requiring future surgical intervention. One insurance company offered a settlement of $100,000, while the supplemental insurer offered $200,000.
• $400K settlement – An individual riding a bicycle on the outside shoulder of a road near an intersection was involved in a collision with a vehicle. The intersection was undergoing road construction, and large orange construction barrels with signs were placed there. The collision resulted in the individual sustaining multiple injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, spine injury, rib fractures, clavicle fracture, facial fractures, pulmonary contusions, and the need for multiple surgeries including craniotomies. The individual and their spouse filed a lawsuit on behalf of their minor children against the driver, the construction company responsible for the roadwork, and the design engineering firm that created the traffic control plan. The plaintiffs claimed that the defendants’ negligence, including failure to yield right-of-way, maintain a proper lookout, and design an appropriate traffic control plan, caused the accident. They alleged that the construction barrels obstructed the driver’s view, contributing to the collision. The plaintiffs sought compensation for pain, suffering, emotional distress, disability, impairment, medical expenses, lost earnings, lost earning capacity, and loss of spousal and filial consortium, along with costs, interest, and attorney fees. The defendants disputed these claims, contested the extent of the injuries, and argued that the individual was not totally disabled from future employment. The construction company blamed the design engineer for the traffic control design, and the driver also shifted blame to both the construction company and the design engineer. Before trial, the parties agreed to settle the loss of consortium claims brought by the minor children for a total of $400,000.

Bicycle accident settlements between $500K and $999K

• $650K settlement – A minor was riding a bicycle near an intersection when a motor vehicle driven by a defendant collided with the bicycle, causing the minor to fall and become lodged under the vehicle. The defendant then continued to turn at the intersection instead of stopping to render aid, resulting in additional injuries to the minor. The plaintiff claimed that the defendant’s negligence and negligence per se caused the collision and the resulting injuries. Although the defendant initially denied liability, a settlement was later agreed upon.
• $800K settlement – A minor was riding a bicycle and was hit by a vehicle, resulting in permanent brain injuries. The minor suffered cognitive impairment and a permanent deformity as a result of the accident. The vehicle involved was owned by several companies and operated by a driver with the owners’ consent. The plaintiff claimed the driver was inattentive and negligent. The lawsuit also included insurance companies for personal injury protection benefits. The defendants argued that the minor assumed the risk of injury and that the damages were due to circumstances beyond their control, denying the severity of the injuries.
• $975K settlement – A minor suffered a femur fracture, requiring open reduction and internal fixation, a large laceration to the left leg resulting in scarring and loss of tissue and veins, a left arm fracture, and psychological trauma when, while waiting on his bicycle to exit a parking lot, he was run over by a bus. The bus was owned and operated by a congregation. The minor and his parents, without legal representation, agreed to a settlement of the personal injury claim with the defendant’s general liability insurance carrier. The defendant denied liability.

Bicycle accident settlements over $1M

• 1.05M settlement – An individual was riding a bicycle when a vehicle failed to yield the right-of-way, striking him. The collision resulted in multiple injuries, including a traumatic brain injury with a neurocognitive disorder, a subdural hematoma, post-concussive syndrome, trochlear nerve palsy, spine injury, pneumothorax, facial laceration, lacerations to both hands, a right thumb fracture, and an aggravation of a pre-existing lower back condition. The individual also suffered from neurogenic bowel with fecal incontinence, chronic pain due to the trauma, and chronic fatigue related to the injuries. While surgery was not required, the individual was assessed with multiple impairments, which significantly reduced earning capacity.
• $2.5M settlement – An individual was riding a bicycle and moved to the left to make a turn when a vehicle operated by another party collided with them. The individual alleged that the driver of the vehicle was negligent in their operation. The driver denied liability, arguing that the individual made an unsafe lane change in violation of local vehicle regulations and did not wear a helmet. Despite these claims, a settlement was later agreed upon between the parties.
• $5M settlement – An elderly individual was riding a bicycle at an intersection when another party made a right turn against a red light and struck the bicyclist, resulting in fatal injuries. The estate of the deceased filed a wrongful death and survival action, claiming negligence against the driver and the driver’s associated company.

How Bicycle Accident Settlements Are Calculated

1. Medical expenses: This includes all medical expenses — both past and future — related to the bicycle accident.

2. Lost wages: This is calculated by multiplying the victim’s daily wage by the number of days they were unable to work due to the bicycle accident.

3. Property damage: This includes the costs for repairing or replacing the bicycle and any other property damaged during the accident.

4. Pain & suffering: Often calculated as a multiplier of the medical expenses in personal injury claims, this variable depends on the severity of the bicycle accident injuries and the impact of injuries on the victim’s life. Multipliers can range from 1.5 to 5 or more.

5. Punitive Damages: These are awarded to deter the defendant (and others) from future negligent actions and to punish particularly reckless behavior.

6. Other: Any other costs directly related to the bicycle incident, such as transportation to medical appointments, are also included.

Factors That Affect Bicycle Accident Settlement Value

Medical bills: Total medical expenses (past and future) related to the bicycle accident.

Lost wages / income: Total lost wages are calculated by multiplying the daily wage by the number of days unable to work.

Property damage: The costs associated with repairing or replacing any property that was damaged as a result of the bicycle accident.

Pain & suffering: Often calculated as a multiplier of the medical expenses, depending on the severity of the injuries and the impact on the victim’s life.

Punitive damages: These are damages that are awarded to deter the defendant (and others) from future reckless actions, and to punish the defendant in some cases.

Other damages: Any other expenses directly related to the incident, such as transportation costs to medical appointments, can be included.

Other Legal Considerations For Bicycle Accident Settlements

Comparative negligence: A legal concept that reduces the compensation a plaintiff can receive based on the degree to which the plaintiff’s own negligence contributed to the injury. In the context of bicycle accidents, if the victim was not wearing a helmet or was riding recklessly, the compensation amount may be reduced.

Statute of limitations: The deadline to file a claim after a bicycle accident, which varies between states. If a claim is not filed within this period, the victim generally loses the right to pursue legal action and any associated compensation for damages.

State laws: State-specific laws regarding liability for bicycle accidents can vary significantly and can either favor the victim or the other party involved. Some states have specific rules that protect cyclists more than others.

Maximize Your Compensation With The Help Of A Bicycle Accident Attorney

It’s important to note that each bicycle accident case is unique, and the method used to calculate a settlement will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. Consulting with a bicycle accident attorney can help ensure that you recover fair compensation for damages.

Getting started with your bicycle accident claim is easy. Just request a free case evaluation online, and a legal team in our network will reach out to you regarding your case. Our network of attorneys includes a team of over 250+ legal professionals throughout the United States with over $1 billion recovered for clients, including those who have been injured as a result of bicycle accidents and negligent drivers.

⚖️ All of our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront legal fees or costs — you only pay if you win.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim?

Bicycle accident cases with clear fault or liability usually settle within 1 year. However, the duration of a bicycle accident case can vary widely depending on a number of factors such as the severity of injuries and number of parties involved in the case.

How long will my bicycle accident case take?

Bicycle accident cases with clear fault or liability usually settlement within 1 year. However, the duration of a bicycle accident case can vary widely depending on a number of factors such as the severity of injuries and number of parties involved in the case.