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. An Arlington personal injury lawyer could review the facts of your case and gather evidence to prove your case in court. Call The Texas Law Dog today, where we don’t just bark, we bite.
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. That is where an experienced Arlington car accident lawyer can help. Many bike accidents are caused by individuals not paying attention to the road ahead of them.
The motorist may fail to check their blind spot and turn into the cyclist, and an Arlington blind spot accident lawyer can file a claim for you. 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 texting while driving car accident lawyer could review the accident, gather evidence, and determine the exact cause of the collision.
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 certain circumstances, other parties or entities may also be held liable. 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, meaning the plaintiff could share responsibility for an accident and 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. A bicycle accident lawyer in Arlington 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
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
When you are in a bicycle accident, the steps you take right after the incident can define whether or not you can recover fair compensation for your losses. Your priority should be to seek medical care for yourself, check on others if you can do so safely, and then contact law enforcement for assistance. When it is safe for you to do so, consider the following strategies that may also help you build a strong case.
- Wait for help to arrive. Avoid leaving the scene of the accident. Instead, get yourself to a safe position and wait for help.
- Document the incident by taking photos of the surrounding area. Try to capture images of your own injuries and bike damage, the surrounding area, as well as the damage to the vehicle or other object that struck you.
- Get the name and contact information from the other party involved. They must stop and provide you with their insurance information, identification, and contact information.
- Ask witnesses who may have stopped to help you or those who witnessed the incident to provide their names and contact information. They may have valuable information that could support your claims.
- Go to the hospital right away. In a bicycle accident, the risk of serious injuries due to blows to the head or abdomen can result in hidden injuries that may not become obvious for some time.
- Provide the police with information about what you saw and experienced. Never speculate, and certainly do not admit fault in the accident.
Once you focus on your health, you will need to contact a bicycle accident attorney in Arlington who can begin building your case. Our legal team at The Texas Law Dog works with victims to pursue full and fair compensation to the fullest level allowable under the law. The documentation you have at the scene is one component of the evidence we will gather to help build that case.
Serious Injuries Suffered in Bicycle Accidents
When a car crashes into a victim, the risk of serious injuries is very high, and that often means long hospital stays and difficulty recovering fully. With the guidance of your doctor, seek comprehensive medical care and rehabilitation, and focus on your recovery. If you suffered any of the following types of accident injuries, we recommend also contacting an attorney to help you navigate your case.
- Head injuries, any type of strike to the head leading to concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and fractures to the skull
- Spinal column injuries resulting in paralysis, chronic pain development, or degenerative diseases
- Lacerations, including those to the soft tissues and muscles in your body
- Broken bones, including situations related to complex fractures and crushing accidents, leading to surgical intervention
- Road rash, including any physical scarring, as well as infections that stem from this incident
- Amputations, often resulting from crushing accidents or severe injuries from being pinned
In each of these cases, you may need medical care for some time, even for months, and even then, you may not fully recover. Because of how traumatic these types of accidents can be, we strongly recommend seeking out the help of an attorney to guide you in pursuing legal action against the at-fault party. You may need financial support if you cannot work, or you suffer permanent injury or disfigurement.
Do Not Overlook the Emotional Trauma of a Bicycle Accident
One of the ways your lawyer will work with you is to build a strong case that demonstrates the emotional and mental health-related challenges brought on by this accident.
Many people suffer from depression and anxiety, or may experience intense post-traumatic stress disorder due to what they experienced. You are entitled to compensation for these losses, and we will assist you in pursuing it.
Recoverable Damages for a Bicycle Wreck
The law allows anyone who suffers a serious accident with financial and physical loss to seek legal action against the at-fault party or their insurance provider for recovery of those losses. Those losses are referred to as damages, and they are meant to make you whole again. However, that is not always easy for you to do after an accident.
The damages owed to you must be documented losses proven through evidence. When you meet with our lawyer, we will consider all the ways this accident caused you injuries and losses and formulate a claim for those losses. Our experience enables us to ensure that we include all potential losses.
The type of damages a person could recover after a bicycle accident depends on the circumstances of their case. With the help of a 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.
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. Be sure to talk to an Arlington catastrophic injury lawyer today.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not awarded frequently and are usually only granted in cases of malice or extreme recklessness. For instance, a person who intentionally strikes a cyclist with their vehicle may be liable for punitive damages.
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 from The Texas Law Dog to learn how you can protect your rights. Call our office today to schedule a consultation.
