Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Fort Worth, Texas

COMMON CAUSES OF BICYCLE ACCIDENTS

Bad Weather

Inclement weather is one of the most common causes of bicycle accidents.  Wet roads or poor visibility puts cyclists at risk of being involved in an accident. 

Distracted Driving

Taking your eyes off the road for even a second increases the chances of being involved in an accident.  Many bicycle accidents occur when either the cyclist or another motorist engages in distracted driving. 

Intoxication

Drugs and alcohol impair one’s coordination and reflexes.  Operating a bicycle on public roadways while intoxicated greatly increases the chances of being involved in a wreck.

Failure to Signal

Cyclists are expected to use hand signals when making a turn.  Many bicycle accidents occur as a result of the cyclist’s failure to use such signals.  Always look both ways and use hand signals when turning.

Read More: Fort Worth Car Accident Attorneys

Speeding  

Automobile drivers who are speeding put other drivers and cyclists at risk of being involved in an accident.  However, cyclists who are riding too fast also put other people in danger.  Be sure to be mindful of your speed when cycling.

WHAT TO DO AFTER A BICYCLE ACCIDENT

1. Seek Medical Attention

Seeking medical attention from a trained professional is the first and most important step you can take after being involved in a bicycle accident.  Seeking prompt medical attention after an accident, regardless of the nature and severity of the injuries, may help prevent any serious injury or future complications.     

2. File a Report and Document the Accident

The next step to take after being injured in a bicycle accident is to file a report.  If the accident occurred on a public road, then the report should be filed with local law enforcement.  If the accident occurred as a result of a defective bicycle, the report should be filed with the bicycle manufacturer.  In addition to creating an official record of the accident, filing a report may help prevent future accidents from occurring. 

It is also important that you document the accident by creating and maintaining a thorough file that contains paperwork related to the accident.  For instance, your file should include the following items:

• Copies of any police reports or accident reports
• Photographs of your injuries as a result of the accident
• Photographs of the scene of the accident
• Witness statements
• Medical bills
• Pharmacy bills
• Rehabilitation bills
• Property repair estimates  

3. Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

After seeking medical attention, you should consider contacting a personal injury lawyer.  A lawyer may wish to speak with you for an initial consultation.  During the consultation, the lawyer may ask important questions such as when the accident happened, where the accident occurred, and the types of injuries you sustained.  A lawyer may also want to search for and collect important evidence, such as witness statements and surveillance footage.  Finally, an attorney may file any paperwork to ensure that a lawsuit is timely filed.

WHO CAN I SUE?

If your accident and resulting injuries were caused by the intentional, reckless, or negligent acts of a third party, then you may be able to sue that party to secure compensation for costs incurred as a result of your injury. 

Determining which parties can be held liable for your injuries after a bicycle accident requires a careful analysis of the circumstances giving rise to the accident.  To determine what party or parties may be held responsible, consider factors such as where the accident occurred, how it occurred, and who was involved.  The liable party is typically a motorist, but other cyclists, the manufacturer of a defective bicycle, or even the local government can be at fault.

Consider consulting with a personal injury attorney to learn more information regarding your rights following a bicycle accident.

THE CLAIM FILING PROCESS

1. Contact an Attorney

The first step toward filing a claim is to contact a personal injury attorney.  As part of an initial consultation, the personal injury attorney may wish to talk in person or over the phone to discuss important facts about the case.  At the conclusion of the initial consultation, the attorney may be able to provide legal advice regarding options moving forward.

Learn More: Why Hiring a Lawyer Will Help Your Case

2. Investigation

The investigation phase is the next step in the claim filing process.  During this phase, the attorney may collect as much information about the accident as possible.  For example, the attorney may interview witnesses and inspect the scene of the accident.

3. Settlement and Lawsuit

Prior to litigation, a bicycle accident victim may have the option of accepting a settlement from the at-fault party or the at-fault party’s insurance company.  An attorney may act on your behalf by negotiating the terms of a settlement structured to protect your rights.  If it is not in your best interests to accept a settlement offer, your case may proceed to trial.

Learn More: How to Negotiate with an Insurance Company

UNDERSTANDING YOUR COMPENSATION

The damages that may be awarded to a personal injury victim can be separated into two broad categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are damages that can be quantified or calculated.  The primary forms of economic damages involved in bicycle accident cases may include:

• Medical bills
• Pharmacy bills
• Rehabilitation costs
• Lost income (present and future)
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property damage

Non-economic damages refer to intangible losses that cannot be calculated like economic damages can.  Rather, non-economic damages are subjectively evaluated by the jury in a lawsuit.  Types of non-economic damages in a bicycle accident case may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement
• Disability
• Loss of consortium

Learn More: How to Calculate the Value of Case

LEGAL TIME LIMITS

A “statute of limitations” is a legal time limit by which a person must initiate a lawsuit.  If a victim of a personal injury accident fails to bring a claim within the statute of limitations, that party is effectively barred from litigating the claim in court.

Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.  This means that a bicycle accident victim must file a lawsuit within two years of the date of the accident.  For instance, if you sustained an injury in a bicycle accident that occurred on October 1, 2020, you must file a claim before October 1, 2022. 

In certain situations, this two-year statute of limitations may be paused or “tolled.”  This has the effect of giving a bicycle accident victim extra time to file a lawsuit.  Consider discussing your case with a Fort Worth biking accident attorney to better understand the significance of a statute of limitations.

LET ZINDA LAW GROUP’S FORT WORTH ATTORNEYS FIGHT FOR YOU

Zinda Law Group’s team of bicycle accident attorneys are available to help protect your legal rights following an incident.  While you focus on recovering from your injuries, allow us to fight on your behalf.  Our Fort Worth attorneys have years of experience handling and settling bicycle accident cases. 

Our team also has the resources necessary to strengthen your claim.  With a Fort Worth personal injury attorney on your side, you may receive:

Legal Experience

Texas bicycle laws are long and complex, and navigating a claim by yourself can be a steep hill to climb.  A Zinda Law Group bicycle accident lawyer may help by explaining your rights and advocating on your behalf.

Client Service

At Zinda Law Group, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality service to our clients.  Throughout the entire representation, from the initial consultation up to the disposition of the case, our attorneys are ready and willing to guide you through the claim filing process.

Helpful Resources

Access to resources can make or break a claim.  Thankfully, Zinda Law Group has access to many valuable resources that may be used to strengthen a claim.  Our offices are capable of handling large and complex cases, conducting thorough interviews with the necessary parties, hiring expert witnesses, and utilizing state of the art technology. 

No Win, No Fee Guarantee

Our firm also believes that an injury victim should not have to worry about being able to afford legal representation. That is why we offer free consultations, and why you pay nothing unless we win your case. That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.

If you would like to discuss the details of your case with an experienced Fort Worth bicycle accident lawyer, or to learn more about your rights following an accident, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 to receive your free case evaluation.

Meetings with attorneys are by appointment only.