Houston and the surrounding areas are becoming more bicycle-friendly as increased numbers of people use bicycles for recreation, running errands, or everyday commuting. While many ride for the health benefits, bicyclists account for a disproportionate share of injuries and deaths when involved in an accident with a vehicle. This is unsurprising given the vulnerability of bicyclists when involved in a collision with a much larger and heavier vehicle. It is important for vehicle drivers and bicyclists to know the leading causes of accidents so that they can both work to avoid dangerous situations. It is also important to seek out an experienced attorney if you have been injured in a bicycle accident in order to pursue compensation for medical bills, time missed from work, and pain and suffering.

Statistics and Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Every year in the United States, almost 1,000 bicyclists are killed and over 130,000 are injured in accidents on our roads. The total annual costs from these injuries and deaths are estimated at over $23 billion from health care costs, lost work productivity, lost quality of life, and the lives that are lost. Here are the leading causes of bicycle-vehicle accidents:

Speeding – The top cause of accidents involving a vehicle and a bicycle is speed. Drivers are less able to stop or take action to avoid a bicyclist if they are traveling too fast. Speed-related accidents can also contribute to more severe injuries and a higher likelihood of wrongful death. Perhaps surprisingly, 63% of fatal bicycle accidents happen away from intersections, mostly on more open stretches of road.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) contribute to almost 3 million trips to the emergency room for Americans every year. They are caused when a blow to your head causes your brain to hit against your skull. The impacts of a TBI can be long-lasting and have a variety of symptoms. While there are many causes of TBIs, accidents are one of the leading contributors. If you have suffered a TBI in a slip and fall, motor vehicle crash, or other accident, it is important that you contact a personal injury attorney who can help determine if you are entitled to compensation.

How TBIs Happen and What Symptoms They Cause

The most common cause of traumatic brain injuries is falling. People who have suffered a fall account for almost half of TBI-related emergency room visits. Other accident-related causes of TBIs include motor vehicle accidents and work injuries.

Depending on the severity of the injury, there can be a wide variety of symptoms associated with TBIs. In mild cases, the injury may cause headaches, sensitivity to light and sound, and mild confusion. These symptoms will usually not last long and do not permanently damage the brain.

While most dogs are friendly companions, some can pose a threat through aggressive behavior. No matter the size of the dog, any attack can lead to severe injuries including major wounds, broken bones, nerve damage, brain and spine injuries, and more. Even seemingly minor wounds can become infected and lead to serious medical problems if untreated. After an attack, you may be left with psychological trauma, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress. No matter the severity of the dog bite, after you seek medical attention, you should contact a personal injury lawyer who will learn the details of the attack and help determine whether you can pursue a personal injury suit.

Seek Medical Attention After a Dog Attack

After a bite, you should clean the wound, apply antibiotic cream, and cover it in a sterile bandage. More serious wounds require immediate medical attention. However, for any bite, medical professionals recommend seeing a doctor within eight hours in order to have the bite treated and to prevent infection. About 50 percent of dog bites transmit some type of bacteria, so the doctor will likely clean the wound again and then provide any additional antibiotic treatment, especially for those with diabetes or who are immunocompromised and have a higher risk of infection. Depending on your vaccination history, you may receive a tetanus booster.

Compensation for Dog Bites in Texas

You may be entitled to compensation if you have been injured in a dog attack. Under Texas law, dog owners can be held financially liable when:

Texas ranks first in the nation in the number of collisions at railroad crossings with 247 in 2021. These collisions between trains and vehicles crossing the tracks led to 57 injuries and 17 deaths. While happening less frequently than car accidents, the severity of train accidents can be much greater. 

The speed and weight of a train can cause serious damage to the car or other vehicle involved in the crash and severe injuries and even death to the driver and passengers. Other train related injuries can be sustained by those riding on the train or bystanders who are injured indirectly from the collision at a railroad crossing, by a collision with another train, or by a derailment. For all railroad accidents in Texas, these are the most common causes:

• Train Equipment Failure - Mechanical and electrical failures onboard a train can cause collisions with other trains or with vehicles at railroad crossings. 

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Concussions are considered one of the mildest forms of traumatic brain injury. However, concussions can cause debilitating symptoms. In typical cases, concussion symptoms fade after a few days or a few weeks. However, those with post-concussion syndrome can be left with splitting headaches, nausea, insomnia, and even behavioral changes for several months or longer.

Trauma to the Brain Can Cause Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive Harm

Concussions and brain trauma can occur when the brain strikes the inside of the skull. Car accidents are one of the top causes of concussions. Even something as simple as tripping over an electrical cord and falling can cause a serious concussion. Many concussion victims lose consciousness for a few moments after the crash. They may also suffer from lingering headaches, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and even seizures. Unfortunately, these physical symptoms are not the only consequences of a concussion. Many sufferers also experience psychological and cognitive problems, including dramatic mood swings, depression, irritability, memory loss, and difficulty communicating with others.

Typically, concussion symptoms fade after a few weeks. However, some people develop post-concussion syndrome. These unfortunate individuals suffer from physical and mental concussion symptoms for up to a year. The symptoms are often severe enough to prevent the person from working, engaging in hobbies, caring for their families, and completing household tasks.