A bicycle crash can cause life-changing injuries. If you were hit by a car while riding your bike, a Cedar Park personal injury lawyer can help you pursue damages.
The Texas Law Dog has been representing Texans since 2018. If you were involved in a bicycle accident, a bicycle accident lawyer in Cedar Park can help you obtain a fair settlement.
The Role of a Cedar Park Bicycle Accident Lawyer
The prospect of navigating the claims process on your own can be daunting, especially if you are dealing with serious injuries.
A Cedar Park bicycle accident lawyer can help by:
- Investigating the accident: A lawyer can collect police reports, witness statements, and any available video footage to establish exactly what happened and who is at fault.
- Calculating your damages: A lawyer can assess both your current and future losses and calculate your claim’s value.
- Negotiating a settlement: A lawyer can handle all conversations with insurance companies and fight for a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Taking your case to court: If a fair settlement is not offered, a lawyer can help you pursue compensation through litigation.
Types of Compensation You May Pursue
A bicycle accident can lead to a wide range of losses.
You may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses: You can recover the cost of hospital visits, surgeries, medications, and ongoing treatment related to the accident.
- Lost wages: You can be compensated for income you would’ve earned while recovering from the crash.
- Loss of earning capacity: You can recover damages if your injuries affect your ability to work in the future.
- Pain and suffering: You can receive compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
- Property damage: You can recover the cost to repair or replace your bicycle and any other damaged property.
- Punitive damages: In cases involving extreme negligence, you can pursue additional compensation intended to punish the responsible party.
Cedar Park Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
What is the Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accident Claims in Texas?
You have a limited window of time to file a personal injury claim after a bicycle accident in Texas.
According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you fail to file before the statute of limitations expires, you may lose your right to seek compensation entirely.
There are some exceptions that can affect this timeline, such as if your case involves the delayed discovery of injuries or a government entity. A bicycle accident attorney in Cedar Park can help ensure you meet the applicable deadline.
Who is Liable for a Bicycle Accident?
Several different parties can be held responsible for a bicycle accident, depending on how the crash occurred.
Potentially liable parties include:
- Negligent drivers: Drivers who were speeding, driving while distracted, or who failed to yield can be held liable.
- Other cyclists: Riders who ignore traffic rules or act recklessly can contribute to or directly cause an accident.
- Pedestrians: Individuals who step into bike lanes or roadways without awareness of oncoming cyclists can be held accountable.
- Government entities: Poor road design, missing signage, or failure to maintain safe road conditions can create hazards that lead to accidents.
- Vehicle or bicycle manufacturers: Defective parts, such as faulty brakes or equipment failures, can cause a crash.
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means multiple parties can be held liable for the same accident.
If you are found to be at least 51% at fault for your crash, you will not be able to recover damages. If you are between 1% and 50% at fault, your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of responsibility.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents happen for many reasons, but most of them stem from negligence.
Common causes of these accidents include:
- Distracted driving: Drivers who are texting, eating, or otherwise not paying attention to the road can easily fail to notice cyclists.
- Failure to yield: Many accidents occur at intersections when drivers fail to yield the right of way to cyclists.
- Unsafe lane changes: Drivers who do not check their blind spots can collide with cyclists when merging or changing lanes.
- Dooring incidents: A parked driver opening their car door into a bike lane can cause a serious crash.
- Speeding: Higher speeds reduce a driver’s reaction time and increase the severity of a cyclist’s injuries when a collision occurs.
- Poor road conditions: Potholes, debris, and uneven pavement can cause cyclists to lose control.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Cedar Park
The steps you take after a bicycle accident can have a direct impact on both your health and your injury claim.
You should:
- Call the police: A police report can serve as valuable evidence when it comes to determining fault.
- Document the scene: If possible, take photos of your injuries, your bicycle, the vehicle that hit you, and the surrounding area.
- Collect information: Obtain contact and insurance details from the driver who hit you. If any witnesses are present, ask for their contact info, too.
- Seek medical attention: Get checked by a medical professional as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Avoid admitting fault: Stick to the facts and avoid discussing fault when speaking to insurance adjusters and other people at the accident scene.
- Consult a lawyer: Our lawyers can assess your case and break down your legal options.
Get Help From a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Cedar Park
A bicycle accident can disrupt every aspect of your life. If you were injured in a crash with a negligent driver, a Cedar Park bicycle accident attorney from The Texas Law Dog can guide you through the process of filing a claim and help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Book a free case review to find out how you can pursue justice.
