In Texas, bicyclists enjoy the same rights to the road as motor vehicle operators and must follow the same traffic laws. Many cities in the area have vulnerable road user laws to protect cyclists. These regulations provide extra measures to keep non-motorized vehicle operators safe.
Even with laws on the books to shield bicyclists from harm, the fact remains that cars are bigger, faster, and more destructive than bicycles. A crash between the two almost always results in significant injuries to the cyclist. In the second it takes for a driver to look away from the road while responding to a text, a bicyclist’s life can suffer permanent damage.
After a bicycle accident, you could be eligible for compensation from the responsible party and their insurance company for your economic and non-economic damages. A personal injury lawyer in Katy can fight for your rights and hold the responsible party and the insurance company accountable.
At D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, our personal injury lawyers focus on bicycle accidents. We have a successful track record of winning the compensation injured victims deserve after a crash.
We invite you to our office for a free consultation and case review. Our attorneys will answer all your questions and advise you on your options for pursuing compensation. Call us today at 713-850-8600 for an appointment.
How Dangerous Are Bicycle Accidents?
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center recently published some sobering statistics on bicycle crashes. In 2015, 818 bicyclists died in crashes on U.S. roads and highways—6 percent more than in 2006. Texas trails only California and Florida in the number of annual bicycle accident deaths.
You can minimize your chances of becoming a victim by taking precautions like wearing a helmet, using bicycle lanes, and avoiding busy streets. Unfortunately, you can never eliminate the risk entirely. If the worst happens and you find yourself a victim, a bicycle accident lawyer can help.
Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer for a Bicycle Accident?
At D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, our attorneys can take on the responsible party and the insurance company, helping you get the compensation you deserve so that your medical bills and missed work do not lead to financial disaster. We have a long track record of helping our clients win fair compensation, and we can put our resources to work for you.
The at-fault party’s insurance company might offer a quick settlement in the days and weeks following your accident. If your bills are piling up, it can be enticing to accept this offer. The insurance company understands the financial strain that often follows a serious injury and uses your perceived desperation to compel you to settle as quickly as possible.
However, accepting this offer might leave you with significantly less money than you need. Insurers frequently offer only enough to pay for your current costs, such as medical bills and bicycle repair or replacement expenses. An initial offer seldom includes enough for future medical care needs.
Call us before you agree to any offer from an insurance company. Our attorneys will review your claim and calculate the full scale of damages you are eligible for. This is the amount we pursue on your behalf.
How Much Is My Bicycle Accident Claim Worth?
Without specific details of your accident and the circumstances surrounding it, we cannot accurately estimate the value of your claim. It depends on many factors, including the amount of your medical bills and other financial losses, the parties involved in the crash, and the evidence we have of your non-economic losses. The severity of your injuries will also impact the value of your claim. Serious, permanent injuries—such as a traumatic brain injury—are eligible for higher settlement amounts. This is to account for the increased care costs victims of serious injuries incur.
In many cases, our attorneys have been able to secure some or all of the following types of damages for our clients injured in bicycle accidents:
- Medical bills, including the costs you have incurred for hospitalizations, surgeries, doctor visits, prescription drugs, medical devices, and other such expenses;
- Lost wages, or the value of the paychecks you have forfeited while missing work to recover from your injuries;
- Pain and suffering, which compensates you for the physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional trauma you have suffered as a result of your accident; and
- Punitive damages punish the responsible party for behavior that exceeds mere negligence and constitutes maliciousness or recklessness.
Contact our attorneys today for help understanding how much compensation you are eligible for after a bicycle crash.
No Matter How Your Bicycle Accident Occurred, We Can Help.
No matter the circumstances of your bicycle accident, a good chance exists that another party caused or contributed to the crash, meaning that party bears liability for your injuries. The responsible party or parties might include:
- The driver of a motor vehicle;
- The local government is responsible for maintaining safe road conditions;
- Another pedestrian who caused you to wreck your bicycle; or
- The owner of the animal that ran into your path, causing you to crash.
We will collect the proof to show how the at-fault party caused your crash. If the authorities responded to the scene of the accident, this evidence may include a police report. Traffic camera footage, photos of the scene, and eyewitness testimony can bolster your claim.
After we collect proof of what happened, we will file your claim with the responsible party’s insurer, fighting for the full value of compensation you deserve for your injuries. If the insurance company refuses to agree to a fair settlement, we can file a lawsuit and argue your case in court.
Call the D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, Team for Bicycle Accident Help.
The attorneys at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, have helped many bicycle accident victims win fair compensation for their injuries. We want you to be our next satisfied client. Call 713-850-8600 today to set up your free consultation and case review.
