Every year, more than 100 pedestrians and bicyclists are injured or killed in serious accidents across Harris County. When these accidents happen, physical injuries are often only part of the burden; many victims also struggle with emotional trauma, medical bills, and lost income.
Pedestrian and bike accidents are rarely unavoidable. If you were hit by a negligent driver while walking or biking, you have the right to file a personal injury claim and pursue compensation for your injuries. At the Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec, our board-certified personal injury attorneys can guide you through every step of the legal process, allowing you to focus on healing and rebuilding your life while we fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.
Common Causes of Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
Accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists can have many causes, but some of the most common include:
- Distracted driving: Drivers often take their eyes off the road or attempt to complete other tasks while driving, such as talking or texting on cell phones. A driver who does not notice the movements of pedestrians or bicyclists may collide with a person when proceeding through an intersection, making turns, or entering or exiting the roadway at a driveway or parking lot.
- Drunk driving: Intoxication by alcohol or drugs will drastically affect a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely and avoid striking bicycles or pedestrians. A driver who is under the influence will experience slowed reaction times, a decreased ability to see what is happening on the road around them, and difficulty coordinating their bodily movements, and these issues may cause them to seriously harm others in a collision.
- Traffic violations: Drivers who exceed the speed limit may be unable to slow down in time to avoid striking a pedestrian who is crossing the road. A driver who runs a traffic light or stop sign may collide with pedestrians in crosswalks. Drivers may injure bicyclists if they pass too closely to a bicycle or turn in front of them.
- Dooring: After parking near a bike lane or a lane of traffic where bicycles are traveling, a driver or passenger may open their door into a bicyclist’s path. This can knock a person off their bike and cause them to suffer serious injuries when they land on the ground or are struck by other vehicles.
If another person’s carelessness or recklessness caused your injuries, Texas law allows you to pursue compensation from them for your medical bills, lost income, and other losses.
Common Injuries in Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
Bike and pedestrian accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor scrapes to life-altering trauma. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Head injuries: Concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and skull fractures can result from a direct impact or fall.
- Broken bones and fractures: Arms, legs, wrists, and collarbones are often broken when a person is struck by a vehicle.
- Spinal cord injuries: These injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis and require extensive medical care.
- Internal injuries: Damage to organs or internal bleeding may not be immediately visible but can be life-threatening.
- Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, and ligament damage can cause long-term pain and limited mobility.
Even injuries that seem relatively minor can still leave victims with lasting pain, emotional trauma, and thousands of dollars in medical expenses and lost wages. That’s why consulting an attorney is crucial, no matter how serious the accident was.
Why You Need a Lawyer After a Bicycle or Pedestrian Accident in Houston
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents often seem straightforward. Someone hit you, which means they should be responsible for your damages. Unfortunately, these cases rarely play out so simply. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts by offering pedestrian and bicycle accident victims a quick settlement before the full extent of their injuries is known, questioning the severity of their injuries, or even shifting the blame. They may claim that you crossed the street without looking for oncoming vehicles, or that you were riding your bike recklessly.
Having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side can make a real difference. A lawyer helps ensure your claim fully reflects the impact of your injuries and builds a strong case backed by evidence, giving you the best chance of getting the compensation you need to move forward after an accident.
How Our Houston Bike and Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Can Help
At the Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec, we understand the serious nature of the injuries that may be suffered by bicyclists and pedestrians in a collision, and we are dedicated to helping our clients take legal action against negligent drivers who caused them harm. Attorney Shane Kadlec has been working with injury victims for more than 25 years and has represented thousands of clients, helping them receive fair compensation for their damages.
When you work with our team, we can help by:
- Investigating the accident and collecting key evidence
- Documenting the full extent of your injuries and damages
- Handling negotiations with insurance companies
- Preparing and litigating your case if necessary
Our goal is to pursue the maximum compensation you are entitled to, because you shouldn’t have to bear the burden of someone else’s negligence.
Proving Liability in a Bicycle or Pedestrian Injury Claim
Establishing liability requires gathering detailed evidence to show exactly how the accident happened and that the driver caused your injuries. Our team focuses on:
- Accident scene evidence: We document skid marks, vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, crosswalks, and any video footage to reconstruct the sequence of events.
- Police reports: Official reports, citations, and on-scene notes provide an objective account of the collision.
- Witness statements: Eyewitness accounts from pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, or bystanders help confirm the facts and clarify the circumstances.
- Medical records: Detailed documentation of your injuries, treatments, and long-term effects supports the connection between the accident and your damages.
- Expert analysis: In some cases, accident reconstruction or other expert evaluations are needed to show how the collision occurred and why the driver was at fault.
By carefully reviewing and combining all these sources, we create a complete and compelling picture of the accident. This evidence is essential to proving liability and ensuring your case fully reflects the impact of your injuries.
What Types of Damages Can You Recover in Pedestrian and Bicycle Accident Cases?
If you are injured in a bicycle or pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation for a variety of losses. Common types of damages include:
- Medical expenses: Costs for hospital visits, surgeries, doctor appointments, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and ongoing care
- Lost income: Wages lost due to time off work, as well as diminished earning capacity if your ability to work is affected long-term
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall impact the accident has had on your life
- Property damage: Repair or replacement costs for your bicycle, personal items, or other property damaged in the accident
- Long-term or permanent impairments: Compensation for lasting injuries, mobility limitations, or disabilities caused by the accident
- Wrongful death damages: If you lost a loved one in a fatal pedestrian or bicycle accident, we can help you file a wrongful death claim and pursue compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of support, and more.
Every case is unique, and the total damages will depend on the severity of the injuries and how the accident has affected your or your family’s life. Our team works to ensure all aspects of your losses are considered.
What to Do If You’ve Been Hit as a Pedestrian or Cyclist in Houston
Being struck by a vehicle can be shocking and overwhelming, but taking the right steps after an accident can protect your health and your ability to recover compensation.
- Seek medical attention immediately: Even if injuries seem minor, prompt evaluation is important for your health and for documenting your claim.
- Call the police: The police can create an official accident report, which can be crucial in proving liability.
- Document the scene where the accident occurred: Take photos or video of the location, vehicle damage, traffic signs, and any visible injuries.
- Collect information: Note the driver’s name, contact info, insurance details, and any witness names.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers: Insurance adjusters may ask questions that could be used against you later.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer with experience in bicycle accident cases: An attorney can guide you through the claims process, help gather evidence, and advocate for the compensation you deserve.
Taking these steps helps protect your recovery and ensures your case is built on solid evidence from the start.
Houston Bike and Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer: FAQs
Contact Our Houston Bike and Pedestrian Accident Attorneys For a Free Initial Consultation
Bicyclists and pedestrians can suffer multiple types of catastrophic injuries when they are struck by a motor vehicle. Cars and trucks weigh thousands of pounds, and even when traveling at relatively low speeds, they can inflict catastrophic or even fatal injuries.
At the Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec, our pedestrian and bike accident lawyers help victims take legal action against negligent drivers, fighting for full and fair compensation for the harm they’ve suffered. Contact us to schedule a free consultation. We provide legal help to injured bicyclists and pedestrians in Houston and throughout Texas. We also handle pedestrian and bike accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you owe no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
