As bicycling gains popularity as an economical and environmentally-friendly form of transportation, the number of accidents between vehicles and bicycles has increased. Drivers have a responsibility to share the road safely with cyclists. When an accident occurs due to a negligent motorist, they could be held liable for any injuries and damages you may have sustained. If you or a loved one were injured due to the negligent or reckless actions of another, an Arlington bicycle accident lawyer could help you seek compensation from the responsible party. A personal injury lawyer could review the facts of your case and gather evidence to prove your case in court. En Español.
What are the Common Reasons Collisions Occur in Arlington?
Drivers have a duty to act responsibly on the road and protect others from harm. If they breach this duty, and an individual gets injured, they could be held liable in court.
Many bike accidents are caused by individuals not paying attention to the road ahead. The motorist may fail to check their blind spot and turn into the cyclist. Along smaller side streets, it is not uncommon for drivers and passengers to open their vehicle doors into the path of an oncoming cyclist. Additionally, some drivers may be distracted or fail to give bikes enough room when passing or forget to check for cyclists when backing up.
An Arlington bicycle accident attorney could review the accident, gather evidence, and determine the exact cause of the collision.
For a free legal consultation, call (817) 775-5364
Shared Fault for a Bike Crash
To win a personal injury lawsuit, the injured cyclist’s attorney must prove that the defendant was negligent. In many cases, this is the driver of the vehicle. In some circumstances, other parties or entities could also share some liability. For instance, those who maintain the city roads may also be partially responsible for an accident occurring.
The State of Texas follows the rules of modified comparative fault, which means the plaintiff could share responsibility for an accident and still recover damages from the other party. When both parties are at-fault for an accident, the injured claimant’s damages may be reduced by their portion of the blame. For example, if a cyclist was 10 percent at fault for causing a collision with a vehicle, their recoverable compensation award will be reduced by ten percent. An Arlington bicycle accident lawyer could gather evidence to prove against accusations of shared fault to help the injured bicyclist recover compensation.
Arlington Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Recoverable Damages for a Bicycle Wreck
The type of damages a person could recover after a bicycle accident depends on the circumstances of their case. With the help of dedicated bike crash attorney in Arlington, a person could recover compensation for their economic damages and non-economic damages. In especially egregious cases, injured claimants may be eligible to recover punitive damages.
What are Economic Damages?
Economic damages compensate individuals for their actual, quantifiable losses. If an injured cyclist misses work due to their injuries, has extensive medical bills and has property damage, their losses could be recovered.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages refer to the non-monetary losses an individual may have suffered. For example, an individual could recover compensation for damages such as pain and suffering, disfigurement or impairment, loss of companionship, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not awarded frequently and are usually only awarded in cases of malice or extreme recklessness. For instance, a person who purposely strikes a cyclist with their vehicle on purpose might be liable for punitive damages.
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Seek Help from an Arlington Bicycle Accident Attorney Now
Bicycle accidents could have devastating consequences. Individuals could sustain severe physical, emotional and financial hardships due to an accident. If you or your loved one were injured due to the negligent actions of another, speak to an Arlington bicycle accident lawyer to learn how you can protect your rights. Call our office today to schedule a consultation.
Call (817) 775-5364 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form