Bicyclists around Houston must be extremely careful to stay safe on roads and highways. Leisure riders and dedicated road cyclists are all at risk of injury if drivers fail to provide adequate space and share the streets. With little to no protection, a bike rider can suffer catastrophic harm in a crash.
If you have been hurt after a wreck due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to seek compensation with the help of a qualified Houston bicycle accident lawyer. The personal injury attorneys at Steven M. Lee PC are ready to listen to your story during a free case review. Contact our office today to learn more about options available to bicyclists in Houston.
How Bicycle Accidents Happen in Houston
As an experienced Houston bicycle accident attorney, Steve Lee has seen many cases where bike riders have been hurt by the careless actions of others. Most crashes come down to motorists, pedestrians, or other bicyclists failing to pay attention to the traffic around them. When it comes to motor vehicles, the odds of surviving without injury are definitely against the biker.
Drivers often lose focus on the road by engaging in the following behaviors:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving while drowsy
- Failing to stop in time
- Failing to yield the right-of-way to bikers
- Following or passing a bike too closely
- Ignoring traffic laws
- Reckless driving
- Rolling through stoplights or stop signs
- Speeding
- Texting while driving
When motorists do not give enough space and respect to those riding in bike lanes on the roadways, bicyclists can be severely injured. Even sideswiping a biker can send them crashing into stationary objects or other vehicles, risking death.
However, vehicles are not the only cause of bicycle accidents. When road conditions are poor from weather, debris, or construction projects, a biker can lose control and crash. In cases like this, other parties may be held liable for your injuries and damages, including government agencies such as the Texas Department of Transportation.
How Our Houston Bicycle Accident Attorneys Can Help Injured Cyclists
Our attorneys can provide numerous critical services that strengthen your bicycle accident case. We can provide legal advice on your best course of action to seek compensation from insurance companies and defendants for your injuries and property damage. If you were hit by a motorist, you need someone who is skilled in handling car accident claims and the insurance details around them.
Your bicycle accident claim requires guidance from a skilled team who can manage the many tasks required to achieve the best possible outcome for you. Our bicycle accident attorneys in Houston will help you by:
- Assessing your case during a free initial consultation to determine the strength of your claim
- Researching your circumstances to establish a tailored approach
- Identifying all liable parties
- Collecting evidence from the scene
- Taking photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your bike
- Consulting with medical and other experts for their testimony
- Obtaining traffic, security, surveillance, and dashboard video of the crash
- Securing witness statements
- Requesting the police report from law enforcement
- Negotiating with insurance companies and opposing counsel
- Preparing and defending your case in court, if necessary
Texas is an at-fault state. Drivers in Houston are responsible for any injuries or damage they cause in an accident. Generally, you can file a claim against the automotive policy of the person who hit you. However, if the insurance provider fails to pay or the coverage limit is too low for your losses, you may need to sue. Speak to one of our skilled bike accident lawyers to understand more about your legal options.
How Compensation for Medical Bills and Severe Injuries in Texas Works
Your first priority after a crash is to recover from your bicycle accident injuries. Because you may have suffered serious trauma, your recovery could take a long time and result in astronomical medical bills. Paying these could put you in a financial crisis without compensation from those responsible for your harm.
It is critical to account for each expense, economic and non-economic. Economic costs (those with a fixed value) can be covered by insurance companies, but they will rarely pay for the non-economic damage you experience. This includes your pain and suffering. Nonetheless, you are entitled to seek financial relief from the defendant for every penny of your losses.
Common types of expenses that contribute to the value of your bicycle accident claim include:
Medical Expenses
Medical care costs will likely compose the largest part of your economic damages. You may face conditions such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or amputation. A victim might even pass away from their trauma. Most victims need medical treatment in the ER, ICU, and surgery suite. After that, their physical therapy and rehabilitation could take months or years.
Estimating your future costs for medical care requires the knowledge and experience of a skilled bicycle accident lawyer in Houston. Our legal team knows to include costs such as travel expenses, renovations to your home, medical and mobility devices, and other losses in your injury claim. Your attorney will compile your medical records and calculate your projected treatment costs.
Insurance companies must be held responsible for covering all costs associated with the medical attention you need. Their policyholder’s negligence hurt you, and it is their job to account for the damage done.
Lost Wages and Benefits
A severe injury from a bicycle accident can leave you unable to move or care for yourself, much less be able to continue working. This results in lost income and benefits, which could be crucial to your survival. If you worry about paying your bills and supporting your family with no income, it adds stress to your life. This makes it harder to heal.
Your bike crash attorney will assess this economic loss for you, including your back pay, retirement benefits, insurance costs, holiday time, and bonuses. You can even claim compensation for any negative effect on your future earning capacity if you are disabled. Seeking a fair and appropriate amount of compensation from insurance companies allows you to live comfortably while you recover.
Pain and Suffering
Non-economic losses, such as your pain and suffering, are an area where insurance companies will push back or deny payment. Most policies do not cover these damages. If your recovery is extensive, you will likely need to speak with a personal injury attorney to explore filing a lawsuit for full compensation.
Physical injuries can be difficult to overcome, but in many cases, the emotional damage lasts much longer. If you enjoyed riding your bike for pleasure, competition training, or to work, you could be left too traumatized to get on a bicycle again. You might experience flashbacks if you ride near cars or trucks, or you could lose your ability to balance on a bike. Subjective damages like this vary from person to person, but they are no less important to your case.
Common non-economic losses our firm sees in bicycle accident cases include:
- Anxiety
- Damage to your personal and professional reputations
- Depression
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Isolation and loss of society
- Loss of enjoyment of activities and hobbies
- Mental anguish
- Physical pain and suffering
- PTSD
- Scarring
Many of these conditions can increase your need for medical attention after the crash and as you begin your recovery. They may develop over time, requiring additional treatment and therapy that must be accounted for by those who are responsible.
Common Accidents in Houston Bicycle Injuries
Bicycle riders wear little protective gear. Although the state government encourages all riders to wear helmets every time they ride, there is no Texas law requiring this practice. Even with headgear, the risk of head trauma is significant in a bicycle crash. Victims can suffer substantial injury whether other vehicles are involved or not.
Common bicycle accident injuries include:
- Chest injuries: You could suffer punctured lungs, as well as broken ribs or heart damage.
- Face and jaw injuries: Impacting the road or objects can result in a broken jaw or teeth, eye socket fractures, a broken or crushed nose, or nerve damage.
- Internal bleeding: Broken ribs or foreign objects can lacerate major blood vessels, leading to deadly internal bleeding.
- Internal organ damage: Bike accident victims may experience hernias, a ruptured spleen, or penetrating wounds to their stomach, liver, pancreas, and bowels.
- Pelvic damage: Stopping suddenly or being hit from behind can cause substantial injury to your genitals, bladder, rectum, and pelvic bones.
- Road rash: Being thrown from your bicycle may cause you to slide or roll on the road, leading to cuts, scrapes, and lacerations. Your hands, arms, and legs are most at risk, including the chance of sudden amputation.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Helmets can prevent damage when a rider falls from a bike after losing control, but if you are hit by another vehicle, you run a tremendous risk of suffering a TBI. Brain injuries can include contusions, bleeding, penetrating wounds, and / or concussions.
Wrongful Death Claims
The sad truth is that many bicyclists who suffer an accident with an automobile pass away. These fatalities may occur immediately or after succumbing to the resulting injuries. In either case, their families are left with many questions and bills. They deserve to recover financial relief for their losses from insurance companies or directly from those responsible.
A compassionate and experienced personal injury attorney can guide your family through the process of filing a claim and receiving compensation for your losses and theirs. Texas law on survivor and wrongful death legal motions allows spouses, children, and parents of the deceased to seek justice from those who caused their loved one’s death.
Free Consultation for Bike Accident Victims
When you have suffered injuries and losses from a bike crash in Houston, you need competent and knowledgeable legal representation from a top-tier bicycle accident lawyer. Attorney Steve Lee is ready to meet with you in a free case evaluation to assess your claim and explain your options.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay our fees when we secure a settlement or verdict for you. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and get started today.