In Texas, bicycles are vehicles, and they share the same rights to the road—and must follow the same traffic laws—as cars, trucks, and SUVs. In addition, many Texas cities, including Houston, have passed vulnerable road user laws, regulations specifically written to protect bicyclists and other road users susceptible to danger.
If you suffered injuries in a crash someone else caused, our bicycle accident lawyer in Houston can help you protect your rights. You could qualify for significant financial recovery for your injuries.
D. Miller & Associates, PLLC® track record is long and substantial, as is our list of successful claim outcomes for bicycle accident victims. We want to put our knowledge, tools, and resources to work for you.
If You Should Hire One of Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Houston
The attorneys at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC®, have helped many bicycle accident victims get the financial recovery they deserve for their injuries. We may be able to help you, too. We will focus on:
Collecting Evidence
After your accident, we encourage you to write down everything you remember about it. Memory fades over time, and it might be difficult to recall all the small details like what you complained about first, the location, etc. This documentation will be good for presenting to the insurance company, but it won’t be enough.
Our personal injury lawyers can compile other forms of evidence, such as:
- The police report
- Video surveillance
- Imaging scans of your injuries
- Photos of the accident scene
- Eyewitness testimony
- Your medical records and doctors’ input on your diagnosis and prognosis
- Cell phone records
- Accident reconstruction analysts’ observations of the sequence of events that led up to the accident
Every shred of evidence we can gather can play a crucial part in building a thorough, robust case. Our team does more than collect evidence—we also organize it and present it to the insurer for you. If necessary, we will also present your evidence in court.
Identifying All Responsible Parties
Drivers in larger cars, trucks, or SUVs often fail to see bicyclists on the road. They may also engage in unsafe driving behaviors, such as speeding or trying to narrowly pass a bicyclist. In other instances, drivers are simply not paying attention to the road while they are behind the wheel.
In other cases, someone other than another driver may have caused your crash. Poorly maintained roadways, nearby pedestrians, and even defective bicycle parts are also common causes of bicycle accidents in Houston. Depending on the circumstances of your case, the responsible parties in your claim could include:
- The car, truck, or SUV driver
- The government entity responsible for maintaining safe road conditions
- A pedestrian who caused you to fall from your bicycle
- A bicycle or vehicle manufacturer, if a product defect caused your crash
No matter how your accident occurred or who the responsible parties are, we can help you hold them liable for their negligence—and for your damages.
Handling Communication and Negotiation With the Insurance Company
If the other party or, more likely, the insurance company contacts you after the accident and offers a settlement, it can be tempting to take a speedy offer when you are staring down oppressive medical bills. However, accepting it without first speaking with your attorney is unwise.
It can take a significant amount of time to receive the plethora of bills and estimates that relate to your bicycle accident case. This is especially true of medical care which can come from a variety of physicians and facilities. A fast settlement is risky—and potentially dangerous—because it does not give you enough time to understand the costs of the accident.
A standard insurance company tactic is to exploit your need for recovery and use it to get you to accept a quick settlement that pays far less than you deserve. Instead of getting an insufficient award, let us help you determine if the offer is fair and take over all the communication with the insurer from that point on.
Following the Corresponding Statute of Limitations
Although most cases are settled before going to court, there are times when we cannot agree on a settlement amount with the insurer. In that case, we can file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Texas law enforces a two-year deadline in which to sue the liable party.
If you notify us about your case early enough, we can help you adhere to this statute of limitations. The at-fault party’s representative is aware of the statute of limitations and will request an immediate dismissal of your case if it is filed late. Their request is likely to be granted.
There are, however, circumstances that can alter the statute of limitations in your favor that you might not be aware of. We are. We are also aware of the tactics that insurance companies use to minimize or avoid compensating you. When you trust us with your case, we will clarify the appropriate filing deadline and ensure compliance.
The Worth of Your Bicycle Accident Claim
A host of factors determines the value of your bicycle accident claim, making it impossible to give a specific estimate before investigating the details of your accident.
Since 2002, we have been helping bicycle accident victims. We have seen claim settlements ranging from the thousands all the way to the millions. Your claim’s value depends on the amount of your financial losses, whether you share fault, and several other factors.
If you suffered severe injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage, you may qualify for a larger settlement. That said, bicycle accident victims can often recover several types of damages.
Medical Bills
We seek financial recovery for your current and expected future medical bills. These costs can include hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription drugs, rehab, and physical therapy.
Lost Wages
We pursue the responsible party for financial recovery to make up for the wages you are not able to earn at work, including tips, hourly pay, vacation time, and other benefits.
Property Damages
If your bicycle was damaged or destroyed in the accident, you might be able to claim damages to get it repaired or replaced. If your bike was your only mode of transportation, you could have the option to recover costs for rideshare or taxi services to take you where you need to go.
Pain and Suffering
This recoverable damage reimburses you for your physical, mental, and emotional pain. The subjectivity of pain and suffering—and the difficulty of assigning a dollar amount to it—make it vital to choose an attorney who will aggressively pursue the maximum damages.
Punitive Damages
If the at-fault party was particularly malicious or reckless in their actions—such as a driver who hits a bicyclist on purpose—a judge may award punitive damages in your case. These damages punish a defendant for their behavior.
Wrongful Death Damages
Bicycle accidents could result in fatal injuries. If your loved one lost their life in or after the accident, you might be entitled to financial recovery for their burial and funeral expenses, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Since their absence has affected your life, too, you can pursue recovery for your loss of financial support and companionship.
See Why Our Previous Clients Recommend Us to Our Future Clients
Previous clients we have fought say the following about working with us:
- Sherry Creech: Recommend D. MILLER and ASSOCIATES PLLC to all that need a hardworking dedicated team of professionals when in need of rebuilding their own lives…Thank you so much for taking my case.
- Adrianne Frencl: Every time I’ve called, they have been very courteous and attentive. They also answered all my questions…and made me feel like they truly care about my claim.
- LUZ McMullen: I am happy with my settlement, and I would recommend D. Miller & Associates, PLLC® to everyone. Thank you again to everyone on the team that took care of me.
Do not hesitate to get our personal injury team involved in your pursuit of damages. We never stop fighting for you or the recovery you deserve.
Commonly Reported Bicycle Accident Injuries
A bicyclist can be injured by more than a passenger vehicle driver. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics, light trucks were the primary vehicles involved in fatal vehicle versus bicycle crashes in 2019. Buses and large trucks are also involved in these types of collisions.
Whichever type of vehicle was involved in your collision, your bicycle was likely no match for its size and weight. Bicycle accident victims often suffer:
- Broken and fractured bones
- Head and neck injuries
- Facial and dental damage
- Brain and skull injuries
- Back and spine injuries
We can help you recover damages by collecting evidence on your behalf. We will also identify the at-fault party and determine the monetary value of your injuries and the expenses and losses that stem from your injuries.
After a Bicycle Accident in Houston, Call D. Miller & Associates, PLLC®
The team at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC®, wants to help you secure a fair settlement for your bicycle accident injuries.
Let us go over the details of your case and advise you on your best options for financial recovery for your losses. Contact us today to find out more about how a bicycle accident lawyer on our Houston team can help you with your case.
