Bicycle riding is a popular year round activity in Texas. Residents here cycle for commutation, exercise and fun. This popularity also puts bicyclists at a higher risk of getting injured in an accident. From 2007 to 2012, there have been 12,789crashes in Texas involving bicycles, resulting in 12,132 injuries and 297 fatalities. Over one-quarter (27%) of cyclists involved in crashes are younger than 15; another 25% are between 15 and 24. Males represented 81% of bicycle crash victims.
Other studies have revealed eye-opening facts about bicycle accidents such as:-
- Bike accidents are most likely to occur between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
- Males are more likely to be involved in bicycle accidents compared to females.
- Alcohol is a contributory factor in 37% of all fatal bicycle accidents.
For most victims of bicycle accidents, pursuing a Bicycle Accident Claim can be intimidating. Many victims doubt that their case is not strong enough or their injuries not serious enough for them to hire a lawyer to represent them. Others fear that the entire process will be an expensive exercise.
If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, you can pursue compensation by filing a personal injury claim against the person responsible for your injury. A bicyclist may be entitled to receive compensation for medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering and other losses.
WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO HIRE A HOUSTON BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER?
If you opt not to hire a bicycle accident attorney, insurance companies are most likely to take your claim less seriously and will try to offer you less compensation as damages. They may even try to make you accidentally admit fault or accuse you of fabricating a false story. An experienced Houston Bicycle Accident lawyer is aware of every trick that insurance companies have up their sleeves to lower the amount of compensation you receive. A bicycle accident lawyer will effectively negotiate with these insurance companies on your behalf to help you get adequate compensation.
COMPENSATION FOR BICYCLISTS IN HOUSTON.
Many people are unaware that bicycle accident victims and even pedestrians injured by a motor vehicle are entitled to recover Insurance benefits for personal injuries under their own auto insurance policies. Texas law provides bicyclists the same legal protection that is applicable to motor vehicles. Bicyclists are required to abide by the same rules that apply to motorists.
The amount of money a victim of a bicycle accident receives in a bicycle accident settlement or lawsuit is coverage or compensation for what are called ‘damages’. Damages are the costs that a victim has incurred, or losses suffered, as a result of the accident.
The primary types of damages a victim is entitled to receive are economic and non economic damages. Figuring out your damages which are a combination of your financial losses and your emotional losses is something that a trained and experienced personal injury lawyer in Miami can help you with.
Many a times victims underestimate the value of their damages, or forget to include significant costs incurred. It’s in the best interests of a victim to enlist the services of an experienced Houston bicycle accident lawyer to help him or her get adequate compensation.
WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO FILE A BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWSUIT?
Although it is important to file a lawsuit at the earliest, we advise victims to wait until their injuries are fully healed before they approach the insurance company with a settlement demand or file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation. A victim should know the exact amount he or she should be compensated for. A victim would want to know for sure if life long care is needed or if he or she can be able to work again before they demand settlement or file a lawsuit. Texas statute of Limitations for bicycle accidents due to negligence is two years after the accident occurred. Residents of Texas have two years from the date of the accident to initiate a civil lawsuit to recovered compensation for injuries sustained.
WHILE YOU RECOVER, WE WILL PREPARE A STRONG CASE FOR YOU.
Our team of compassionate lawyers spends time with you and tries to find out whether you feel stressed, anxious or even afraid. We try to get to know of your future plans, whether you will ever be comfortable riding a bicycle again and whether you will be able to earn a livelihood to support yourself and your family.
This information provides a basis for determination of the non economic damages such as pain and suffering, and emotional distress that you intend to seek as compensation. We let you rest and recover while we undertake the tasks of collecting vital evidence and determining how much your claim is worth.
Our team of experienced and skilled bicycle accident attorneys will also:-
- Assess your claim.
- Investigate your case thoroughly.
- Gather evidence.
- Interview witnesses.
- Negotiate on your behalf at settlements.
- Represent you at mediation.
- Prepare your case and represent you at trial, if necessary.
- Work with experts such as auto accident reconstructionist to investigate the cause of your accident.
SAFETY TIPS FOR BICYCLE RIDERS IN TEXAS.
While representing bicycle accident victims over the years, we discovered that taking safety precautions saved many victims from sustaining life threatening injuries and also from being killed. We have chosen a few safety tips which we feel are important. They are :-.
- Avoid riding bicycles at dawn or at dusk. Rising sun or setting sun makes visibility difficult for motorists.
- Headlights and reflectors are necessary on bicycles as they make the bicycles visible and noticeable to others on roads.
- Riding in groups makes it easy for motorists and others on the roads to be aware of the bicyclists.
- Always wear a helmet and protective clothing which lessen the severity of injuries if an accident occurs.
- Always check tires, wheels, frame and seat of the bicycle before embarking on a ride.
CONTACT A HOUSTON BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER.
If you or your loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident due to the carelessness or negligence of someone else, you deserve to be duly compensated for the injuries suffered and other damages. Call a experienced bicycle accident lawyer at our firm for a free case evaluation right away.
Connect with us
