Bicycle Accident Attorneys Providing a Helping Hand to Injured Victims in Houston, Texas

Texas is sadly among the most dangerous states for cyclists nationwide. Between 2010 and 2016, there were over 16,000 crashes involving bicyclists in Texas. Those accidents resulted in 9,769 reported injuries and emergency room visits, 5,646 possible injuries, and 362 bicycle fatalities. 70% of Texas bike crashes occur at an intersection. The most dangerous counties for bicyclists are Harris, Travis, Dallas, Bexar, and Tarrant.

Unsurprisingly, bicycle riders not wearing a helmet dramatically increased the risk of fatality. It is worth noting that Texas does not require cyclists to wear helmets. The state may recommend bicycle helmets, and certain cities have instated new laws for children, but as a whole, the state does not have a universal helmet law.

In any traffic accident, there exists the chance of sustaining a severe injury. However, a driver or passenger in a motor vehicle has seatbelts, airbags, and other safety measures to protect them in a collision. A cyclist or pedestrian has comparatively little to protect them from life-threatening injuries. So, naturally, bike accidents often result in catastrophic injury or worse, as the bike’s rider is hit by heavy automobiles and either flipped into the windshield or hurled to the pavement in the path of oncoming traffic.

Cyclists’ injuries can be costly to recover from. If the accident was not their fault, they should not be on the hook for those medical expenses. However, the settlement offered for an insurance claim is often insufficient, providing only a percentage of the finances required for necessary medical treatment. You do not need to accept the offer from the insurer of the motorist. You can do better than whatever is offered by the driver’s car insurance policy.

If you’ve been injured – or if you have tragically lost a loved one in a wrongful death – caused by a bicycle crash, you may be eligible to seek compensation from the negligent parties. This can be a challenging task, however, made all the more difficult if you are still recovering from your injuries. You do not need to go it alone against the insurance company. The bike accident lawyers of our firm are here for you.

Call The Shariff Law Firm, PLLC today at 713-881-9739 to schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our legal team to discuss your bicycle accident claim. Together we will help you determine how best to pursue a satisfying outcome for your case.

How is Fault Determined in a Bicycle Accident Case?

Texas personal injury law operates with a modified understanding of ‘comparative fault.’ Whoever is determined to be at fault for the accident will be held legally and financially responsible. The court may order that they make payments to any injured parties, such as lost wages or outstanding medical bills.

If more than one party is considered at fault, the law will divide the blame as they see fit. If the court believes that 60% of the blame rests with one party and 40% with another, then the settlement will be divided 60/40.

Under comparative fault, it is possible for the accident victim to be held partially responsible for the accident that caused their injuries. If their level of fault is above 51%, they cannot recover compensation as a plaintiff in Texas courts.

As your lawyers, we will examine all the evidence pertaining to your bicycle accident case, review medical records, seek eyewitness testimonies, and review police reports until we feel confident that we’ve crafted a strong case.

What Are Common Bike Crash Injuries?

Bike crashes can be violent, some of them leaving their victims with wounds that forever alter the trajectory of their lives.

Common bicycle accident injuries include:

Broken bones and fractures.
Concussions
Cuts.
Dental injuries.
Disfigurement.
Lacerations.
Loss of limbs.
Paralysis.
Ruptured discs.
Soft tissue injuries.
Spinal cord injuries.
Traumatic brain injuries.
Wrongful death.

Common causes of bike accidents include:

A car door opens in the path of a biker.
Bikers struck by a car that has driven onto the sidewalk or into protected bike lanes.
Defective bicycle.
Drunk driving.
Reckless driving.

What Type of Financial Recovery Could You Make with a Successful Lawsuit?

If you’ve been injured while bicycling, a bicycle accident attorney may be able to help you recover compensation from responsible parties. Your bicycle accident lawsuit, if successful in court, could net both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages that injured cyclists may recover include:

Lost future income.
Lost wages.
Medical costs.
Physical therapy.
Property damage.
Wrongful death.

Non-economic damages that the injured bike rider may recover include:

Lost companionship.
Lost quality of life.
Pain and suffering.

If you decide to file a lawsuit, it would be best to hire professional legal representation.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today

Bikes are one of the healthiest means of transportation. But they are also dangerous for the bicyclist, as other motorists on the road rarely give them the proper respect. If you’ve been hurt while biking, you have the legal right to pursue compensation. Our lawyers can help you recover from your bicycle injury and hopefully get back to biking that much quicker by lifting some of that financial burden off your shoulders.

You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your future because you were injured while bike riding. Contact a bicycle accident lawyer at The Shariff Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule a free initial consultation by calling (713) 881-9739.