BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER IN HOUSTON, TEXAS

On average, there are between 800 and 900 bicyclists killed on the road each year in the U.S. Many of the accidents are the result of driver negligence or carelessness.

A bicycle injury can leave you with severe injuries, medical bills, and other personal losses. If you were in a bicycle accident in Texas, and someone else is at fault, the at-fault party is responsible for compensating you for your losses. Therefore, it is important to hire an attorney who can help you establish fault and liability, as well as the value of your case.

My law firm works with clients in all types of personal injury cases, including bicycle accidents. We can review your case, discuss your legal options, and fight for a fair settlement from the insurance company. Call me today and get a free case review from a bicycle accident lawyer in Houston, Texas.

TEXAS BICYCLE LAWS

Under the Texas Transportation Code § 551.101, bikes have all the same rights and duties as a motor vehicle. Some of the specific requirements of a bicycle rider in Texas include:

• If moving slower than traffic, the rider should stay as near as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway.

• The rider must have a permanent and regular seat attached to the bicycle.

• The rider must not carry more people than the bicycle is designed to carry.

• A person operating a bicycle, may not attach to a vehicle on a roadway.

• A person operating a bicycle may not carry any object that prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars.

• Bicyclists must use hand signals to signal their intent to stop, turn left, or turn right. 

• Every bike must be equipped with acceptable brakes.

• A rider may not operate a bicycle at night unless the bicycle is equipped with a headlamp (visible from 500 ft) and a red reflector (visible from 300 ft) or a red lamp (visible from 500 ft).

WHAT TO DO AFTER A BICYCLE ACCIDENT

The first few steps that you take after a bicycle accident may determine the outcome of your case. Therefore, make sure you take the appropriate action, which may include:

SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT

Your priority should be to seek treatment from medical professionals. Make sure you visit the ER or your doctor immediately. Even if you don’t feel hurt right away, you could still be injured.

DOCUMENT THE ACCIDENT

If possible, try to gather as much information as possible. For instance, get contact information from the at-fault party and any eyewitnesses at the scene. Try to take videos or photos of the accident scene and your injuries. Also, keep careful records of your medical reports, bills, and receipts. 

CONSULT A BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER

Before you speak with the insurance company, you may want to consult a bicycle accident lawyer in Houston, TX. An attorney can review your case, discuss your options, and give you advice on how to proceed with your personal injury claim.

FILING A CLAIM

To recover compensation for your injuries, you and your attorney can file a claim against the driver’s auto insurance. You may also be able to use your own auto insurance policy to cover any expenses over and above what you are provided. Likewise, if the driver flees or doesn’t have insurance, you may be covered under the “uninsured or underinsured motorist” (UM/UIM) provision of your policy.

Texas uses a modified form of comparative negligence which means that if you are found partially at fault for the accident, then your damages can be reduced. For example, if you are awarded a $10,000 settlement, but it’s determined that you were 20 percent at-fault for the accident, then you would receive $8,000. 

DAMAGES AVAILABLE IN A BICYCLE ACCIDENT CASE

The damages available depend on the extent of your injuries and financial losses. You may be entitled to claim include:

• Medical expenses

• Lost wages

• Disability/diminished earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Property damage

If you were injured as a result of gross negligence or reckless behavior, the court may also award you punitive damages. If you have a loved one that was killed in a bicycle accident, your family may be entitled to claim losses such as funeral expenses, lost household income, pre-death medical bills, or pain and suffering of the deceased.