If you’re child was involved in a bicycle accident due to the careless actions of another in Choctaw, the Ylla | Gosney Attorneys at Law can help. We understand nothing is more important than the well-being of your children. And when one of them suffers an injury, you deserve answers and financial penitence from the party responsible. Our firm takes swift legal action against reckless drivers while providing your child with trusted medical resources that give priority to our clients. Get justice for your child by getting their bicycle accident case managed by one of our Choctaw Bicycle Accident Attorneys.
Contact us today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to see what legal options are available for your situation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Bicycle Accident Involving My Children?
When it comes to children being injured in a bicycle accident, it is advisable to reach out to a Bicycle Accident Attorney at Ylla | Gosney. Children are far more susceptible to serious and long-term injuries, so it is essential to take the necessary legal steps to ensure they’re compensated for everything they’re going through, as well as any health complications they may encounter in the future. In the state of Oklahoma, a child cannot file a personal injury claim for themselves until they are 18 years old. This means, as an adult, it is up to you to make sure your child is fully compensated if they’ve been injured in a bicycle accident.
At Ylla | Gosney, we’ll ensure your child receives compensation for the following after being injured in a bicycle accident:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Transportation
- Reduced quality of life
- Pain and suffering
Statute of Limitations for Children Injured in a Bicycle Accident
A child’s injury case falls under personal injury law. So, much like all personal injury cases, the victim of the injury has two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury claim. The two-year statute of limitation is covered in Oklahoma Statutes Title 12. Civil Procedure 12-95, which states:
“Within two (2) years: An action for trespass upon real property; an action for taking, detaining, or injuring personal property, including actions for the specific recovery of personal property; an action for injury to the rights of another, not arising on contract, and not hereinafter enumerated; an action for relief on the ground of fraud – the cause of action in such case shall not be deemed to have accrued until the discovery of the fraud;”
However, if the victim was a minor, the statute of limitations will be withheld until the minor turns 18. Once the child turns 18, the two-year statute of limitations will start.
Child Personal Injury Claim v. Adult Personal Injury Claim
When a child is injured in a, they reserve the same right to compensation as an adult. However, there are key differences between personal injury claims for adults and those for children:
- Minors (individuals under 18 years of age) cannot file their own personal injury claim. Their parent, or legal guardian must file one on their behalf.
- Settlement agreements awarded to children must be reviewed and approved by a judge before they are finalized.
- Children have the right to wait until they are no longer a minors to file their own personal injury claim.
Injury Statistics for Bicycle Accidents Involving Children
Bicycle-related injuries most commonly occur among children ages 5-12, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. In 2015, three out of ten bicycle accident crashes involved children aged 18 and under, with more than 40% occurring in residential neighborhoods. Head injuries made up 56% of emergency room visits due to children not wearing a helmet while riding.
Among the 5 to 12 age group, males are 40% more likely than females to suffer a bicycle-related injury. Tragically, according to the NHTSA, there were 59 children ages 14 and younger who were killed in bicycle accidents in 2022.
What is the Typical Compensation for a Bicycle Accident Involving Children?
When it comes to a bicycle accident involving your child, it is difficult to determine the exact amount you will be compensated. However, the more severe the injuries you and your child sustained, the higher the settlement amount tends to be. When it comes to a child’s compensation, it involves a more forward-looking approach, depending on how far they are from adulthood. A child’s personal injury compensation needs to address:
- Present and future medical expenses
- Ongoing care
- Potential loss of earnings going into adulthood
- Psychological therapy to cope with a life-altering accident
- Pain and suffering
Contact Ylla | Goseny Choctaw Bicycle Accident Lawyers
When deciding to take legal action on behalf of your child, the process can seem overwhelming. But at Ylla | Gosney, we make it easy. We’ll manage every aspect of your claim and provide you with updates as needed, and guide you and your child through all the necessary legal steps.
Our process is simple. We utilize every available legal resource to get your case resolved and paid out as quickly as possible so you and your child can put this traumatic event behind you and get back to enjoying your lives. Don’t wait until it’s too late to take legal action. Contact Ylla | Gosney today for a no-cost, no-obligation case review.