Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Houston, Texas

How do bicycle accidents occur in Texas?

In order to receive compensation for a bicycle accident, you must first be able to show that the accident occurred due to the negligence or intentional actions of another, whether that person is a motor vehicle driver or another individual or even an entity. It helps to understand how and why bicycle accidents occur. Further, understanding these common causes of accidents may help you avoid a collision in the future. Some common causes of bicycle accidents include, but are not limited to:

1. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving occurs when the motor vehicle operator performs an activity that takes his or her attention away from the actual act of driving. The driver could be texting, talking on the phone, or eating. When a driver is not paying attention to their surroundings, he or she is significantly more likely to cause a collision with another car, or with a bicyclist. For example, a motor vehicle driver could be fiddling with the radio, subsequently taking his or her eyes off the road, swerve, and injure a bicyclist.

2. Speeding

Speeding while driving is extremely dangerous. In fact, speeding killed 9,478 people in the United States in 2019 alone. Speeding was also a contributing factor in approximately 26% of all traffic fatalities within the same year. Speeding accidents occur for a number of reasons and have far-reaching consequences. For example, speeding reduces the effectiveness of occupant protection equipment, increases the stopping distance, and increases the degree of crash severity, leading to more severe injuries. Speeding is, therefore, extremely dangerous for everyone on the road, including for cyclists and pedestrians.

3. Unsafe Lane Changes

Unsafe lane changes are common occurrences on Houston roadways. These decisions can result in serious automobile or bicycle accidents. Unsafe lane changes may occur when the driver fails to properly check their surroundings when changing lanes, changing lanes without signaling, and driving in the middle of two lanes for an extended period of time. A driver may also merge into a bicycle lane without first looking to make sure the lane is clear.

4. Failure to Yield

Drivers have an obligation to yield to others while in certain traffic situations, such as in roundabouts and intersections with merging lanes. Drivers who fail to yield not only put themselves at risk, but risk harming all others on the road, including bicyclists. Failure-to-yield accidents may occur due to an inexperienced driver, or an individual who is simply being negligent or reckless.

5. Driving While Intoxicated

Bicyclists who ride after drinking are more likely to make poor decisions that lead to an injury accident. Of course, a bicycle accident may also occur if a motor vehicle driver has been drinking and hits a completely sober bike rider. Approximately 28 people die each day in the United States due to drunk-driving motor vehicle crashes. That equates to one person every 52 minutes. Alcohol consumption affects the driver’s ability to make smart decisions and decreases reaction times. It affects bike riders as well as car and truck drivers. Drinking while driving or riding is not only illegal, but it is also a deadly decision. This decision can cause the driver to swerve into a bicyclist or the rider to swerve into oncoming traffic. There are myriad ways traveling while inebriated can make someone make another poor decision that leads to a collision. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, call a Houston bicycle accident lawyer right away. We can help investigate how your accident occurred. Zinda Law Group wants to help you recover the compensation you deserve for your physical injuries, emotional distress, and property damage. Our attorneys are part of a team dedicated to fighting for your legal rights.

what do i do if i have been injured in a bike accident?

After being involved in a bike accident, you may be left hurt and unsure of what to do next. Understanding the proper next steps to take may help keep you calm, safe, and prepared for your future bike accident lawsuit. Although each case is different, consider following these relatively simple steps:

1. Seek Medical Attention

Seeking medical attention following any kind of serious accident is extremely important. Medical professionals will be able to properly diagnose your injuries, even the injuries that are not easily recognizable, such as internal bleeding. Further, some injuries, such as spinal injuries, need immediate attention and may become worse as time goes on. A medical professional will be able to create an official medical report, which may be necessary later when you and your lawyer are seeking compensation for your injuries.

2. Report the Accident

Next, report the accident to the local police. A Houston police officer will likely come to the scene of the accident and investigate how the incident occurred. The officer may also speak to witnesses and collect information for their accident report, which could prove key when determining fault in your bicycle accident injury case.

3. Document the Scene

Also consider documenting the scene of the accident. This means taking pictures of the area around the collision, any street signs, the damage to your bicycle or protective gear, damage to the motor vehicle, and any resulting injuries. You may also use the Notepad app on your phone to write down everything you can remember about what happened before, during, and after the accident. This information will be helpful later on, as your memory may start to fade before your case can be brought to court.

4. Contact a Houston Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Following your bike accident, call a Houston personal injury lawyer to assist you in your case. The right attorney can help you find the responsible party and seek the maximum amount of compensation available for your unique case. Do not delay in contacting an experienced attorney, as you will need to file your case on time, or you may not receive any kind of compensation. At Zinda Law Group, our Houston bicycle accident attorneys are here to help you through this difficult time. We have the knowledge and ability necessary to guide you through the entire legal process and fight for you in front of a judge if a favorable settlement cannot be made. Contact our team as soon as you are safe following a bicycle accident.

how long do I have to file a bicycle injury lawsuit in texas?

In order to receive compensation for your injuries and property damage, you must file a legal case on time. The time limit you have to file your case is referred to as the “statute of limitations.” The statute of limitations changes for each type of case and within each state, so it is crucial to speak with a qualified in your state if you are considering filing a lawsuit. If your bike accident occurred in Texas, you will have 2 years from the date of your accident to file your lawsuit. If more than 2 years has passed since your collision, you will likely be barred from receiving any kind of compensation for your injuries and property damage. A Houston bicycle accident attorney at Zinda Law Group can help to alleviate some of your stress following a bicycle accident by helping you to file your case on time.

Contact a zinda law group Houston bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your potential case

Bicycle accidents may occur due to a distracted motor vehicle driver, a drunk driver, or for any number of other reasons. Further, these accidents can result in serious injury to the bicyclist and require a lengthy hospital stay and intensive physical therapy. Hiring the right Houston bicycle accident attorney is crucial to filing your case on time and to getting you compensation for your medical bills, property damage, and more. After being injured in a bicycle accident, you should call a Houston injury attorney at Zinda Law Group immediately. We can answer your questions, and we have team resources to investigate your case thoroughly. If you hire us to guide you through the legal process, we will dedicate all of our expertise and resources to fighting on your behalf and getting you every penny of the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (800) 863-5312 to discuss your potential bicycle injury case with our Houston bicycle accident lawyers. As always, your initial consultation is 100% free, and you will not owe us anything unless we are successful in winning your unique case. That is our No Win, No Fee Guarantee. Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.