Bicycles offer an effective means of exercise for many while also providing a convenient transportation mode. However, bike riding can instantly go from an enjoyable recreational activity to a disaster. If you were injured, a bicycle accident attorney in El Paso, TX, could help you recover your medical expenses and other losses.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a biking accident, call the experienced El Paso personal injury attorneys from Zinda Law Group for a free consultation. If we cannot win your case, you will not owe us anything. Contact us today to discuss your legal options.
What Makes El Paso Bike Accident Cases Unique?
While any vehicle crash can be devastating, bicycle accidents may often be much more serious. Unlike automobiles, a bicycle offers almost no protection. While automobile passengers have some protection from airbags, seatbelts, and the vehicle itself, a cyclist generally has no protection beyond a helmet.
As a result, a bicyclist will have little protection when hit with the force of an oncoming vehicle. Bike accidents are thus much more likely to result in life-threatening injuries or death. This risk increases exponentially along with the vehicle’s speed before the collision.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationCommon Causes of Bicycle Accidents in El Paso
Bicycle accidents are often caused when a negligent driver collides with a bike. The motorist owes a duty of care to others on the road to practice safe driving. Drivers must take special care to avoid crashing into bicyclists, given their lack of protection against the force of impact.
The leading driver errors that contribute to bike accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Failing to yield the right-of-way at a crosswalk
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Failing to use a turn signal
- Stopping suddenly in front of a bicycle
- Side swiping bicyclists
- Disregarding traffic or weather conditions
- Opening the vehicle door in front of a passing bicycle
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationRecoverable Damages After an El Paso Bike Accident
As the victim of a bike accident, you will likely experience a far-reaching financial impact. Medical expenses will become immediately apparent as the bills for hospitalization, medication, and medical treatment start piling up. However, you will likely experience other losses as well.
After a bicycle accident, you could receive the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Medical expenses
- The cost of future medical care
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of consortium
Your attorney will help quantify your expenses and estimate your future losses to help you recover maximum compensation. We will rely on a wide range of evidence (including witness testimonies, bills, and medical records) to build a strong case against the defendant.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationCommon Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicycle riders are more exposed to the risk of injury in an accident than drivers. Unlike motorists, who are protected by the structure of their vehicles, cyclists have minimal physical barriers to shield them in the event of a collision. This leaves them vulnerable to direct impact and increases the likelihood of sustaining severe injuries.
Due to the devastating nature of bicycle accidents, many victims may suffer particularly catastrophic injuries, which may include:
Broken Bones or Fractures
Given the force of a vehicle hitting a bicyclist, bones may be easily broken or fractured. While these injuries are typically not life-threatening, they may take a long time to heal. They may require splints, casts, reconstructive surgery, physical therapy, or other treatment.
Head Injuries or Traumatic Brain Injuries
Various head injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), may occur in bike accidents due to the force involved and the lack of protection for bicyclists as their head collides with the vehicle or ground.
Possible head injuries may include:
- Headaches
- Concussions
- Cracked or fractured skulls
- Brain swelling or bleeding
- Contusions
Common side effects of head injuries suffered in bike accidents may include impaired vision, memory loss, slurred speech, difficulties with balance, impaired motor function, brain damage, or other temporary or permanent effects.
As a result of the severe nature of many head or traumatic brain injuries, many accident victims may never fully recover from these injuries. Still, they may suffer permanent impairment to their ability to speak, act, walk, or think.
Pelvic Injuries
With many bicycle crashes, the vehicle may collide with the bicyclist near the cyclist’s waist. As a result, pelvic injuries may commonly occur. These injuries may include bruised or broken hip or a bruised or broken pelvis.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are also common in bike accidents because of the traumatic and violent impact. These may range from comparatively minor injuries (such as a lumbar or thoracic strain) up to catastrophic injuries (such as a severed spinal cord or severe disc injuries). Victims often have lengthy recovery times and may suffer from permanent back pain or paralysis.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries may occur in bike crashes due to the blunt force trauma of the vehicle colliding with the person or the cyclist crashing into the ground. These internal injuries may be life-threatening if not immediately treated.
Common internal injuries may include:
- Brain swelling or bleeding
- Internal bleeding
- Punctured lung caused by a fractured or broken rib
- Organ damage
- Similar internal injuries that may not be readily apparent immediately after a crash
Because of the potentially life-threatening nature of internal injuries, victims of bicycle accidents need to seek immediate medical attention even if there are no obvious signs of injury or the victim is experiencing only seemingly minor pain.
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationWhat to Do After an El Paso Bicycle Accident
After being involved in a bike accident, you may feel confused and unsure of what to do next. However, your next steps can impact your chances of recovering damages should you take legal action.
Contact an El Paso Bike Accident Lawyer
Bike accidents can be very confusing and traumatic for victims. After seeking immediate medical attention for any injuries, you should contact an experienced biking accident lawyer in El Paso as soon as possible.
Your attorney may begin by discussing your potential options, including whether you may be entitled to any compensation and who may be liable for your injuries. With the often severe nature of injuries suffered in bicycle accidents, having legal representation may allow you to focus on your recovery while handling your claim for you.
Investigate Your Accident
Your attorney may handle the investigation of the crash. We will gather witness statements and any available physical or photographic evidence of the scene and the vehicles involved in the incident.
Your attorney may also gather evidence documenting the extent of your injuries and the potential liability of any involved parties. This may include any evidence that the driver negligently breached a duty of care to you (such as by running a red light or speeding) while proving that the driver’s breach caused your injuries.
Negotiate a Settlement
After gathering available evidence and any necessary documentation, your attorney may begin negotiating with the insurer to pursue a potential bike accident settlement in El Paso. Your lawyer will generally begin with an initial offer or “demand.” However, the insurance company often refuses the initial offer before making its counteroffer.
Each party may accompany its offer with an overview of the evidence supporting that side’s position. This negotiation process will typically continue until both sides reach a mutually agreeable settlement, or if the insurer refuses to agree to an adequate settlement, the case could go to trial.
Trial
If the insurance company refuses to negotiate or agree to a fair settlement, your attorney may take your case to trial. They could prove to a jury or judge that the other party caused your bike crash.
Your bike accident lawyer in El Paso will present evidence of the other party’s liability and documentation showing the extent of your injuries.
Why You Shouldn’t Speak to Insurance Companies Without a Lawyer
Insurance companies will often try to reduce the compensation they pay for covered accidents in any way they can. They typically have teams of lawyers who work with the insurance adjusters to look for any reason to reduce or avoid paying any compensation.
This process may often include a call from the insurance company soon after your accident. Even if they assure you they are only seeking to help you or speed along any settlement, the insurer will likely try to trick you. They may also try to obtain a statement indicating any fault on your part for the crash.
Under Texas’s comparative negligence law, if the insurance company can show that you had any fault in causing the collision, they may be able to reduce or eliminate your compensation for your bike accident claim in El Paso.
By speaking with the insurance company without your attorney, you may inadvertently hurt your claim. The best strategy for dealing with an insurance company after your crash will be to hire an experienced El Paso biking accident lawyer to speak with the insurer on your behalf.
How a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in El Paso, TX, Can Help
An experienced El Paso lawyer may assist with your claim at every stage. Your attorney will guide you through the aftermath, providing valuable assistance in assessing your options and formulating a strategic plan.
Investigate the Incident
Your lawyer may investigate the accident and help gather documentation, ensuring no vital information is overlooked. Furthermore, your lawyer acts as your advocate, effectively leveling the playing field by facing the insurance company’s team of lawyers.
Calculate Your Damages
Further, a bike wreck lawyer may help you accurately document any losses you suffered from the accident. We understand the intricacies of personal injury claims and can help you identify and quantify various losses (including medical expenses and lost wages).
Guide You Through the Legal Process
From the initial consultation to the resolution of your case, an El Paso bike accident attorney can navigate the complexities of the legal system on your behalf. Your lawyer will explain the relevant laws and regulations, helping you understand your rights and the potential legal options.
Negotiate for Fair Compensation
Finally, your attorney may negotiate with the insurer to seek compensation. A bike accident lawyer in El Paso may have the necessary experience working with insurance companies and handling personal injury cases. This experience may be crucial to obtaining a satisfactory settlement from an insurance company while avoiding an expensive trial.
At Zinda Law Group, we offer a free case evaluation for all potential clients. During this session, we will review the details of your case and assess the strength of your case. We will also answer your urgent case-related questions.
The Texas Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases
Under the Texas statute of limitations, personal injury victims usually have two years to file against the at-fault party for compensation. However, depending on the details of your case, you could have more time or less. Our bike accident lawyers in El Paso, TX, can determine how long you must take legal action.
Failure to meet the deadline will likely lead to the dismissal of your case. Furthermore, you may no longer be able to recover compensation. To protect your right to financial recovery, contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident. We can help build a strong case and file the necessary documents within the statute of limitations.
Get Help from a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in El Paso, Today
At Zinda Law Group, our biking accident attorneys may assist with your claim. We have years of experience helping our clients seek the maximum compensation for their El Paso bicycling accident claims.
Call us today for a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers. You will not pay anything unless we can win your El Paso biking injury case. That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
