The physical and mental benefits of taking a bike ride are quickly destroyed in the event of an accident. As a cyclist, sharing the roads with motor vehicles is dangerous.
No matter how careful you are, vehicle operators may not be, and a momentary lapse on their part can leave you seriously injured. To get help after an accident, connect with a Midlothian personal injury lawyer from The Texas Law Dog.
Founding attorney Matthew Aulsbrook has been recognized by “Just Great Lawyers,” and will put the experience, energy, and skill that earned that recognition to work for you. You can trust a bicycle accident lawyer in Midlothian to fight to get you just compensation for your accident-related losses.
Connect with a Midlothian Bicycle Accident Lawyer Right Away
For the chance to collect damages for your bicycle accident, you have to identify the at-fault party and present convincing evidence of their negligence. A bicycle accident attorney in Midlothian is in the best position to get those tasks done. Connect with us quickly so we can gather evidence while it remains available.
After investigating your accident, your lawyer can identify the negligent party and file your accident claim against them. Your lawyer will also serve as your voice, taking on all conversations with insurance companies.
The at-fault party’s representatives care about protecting their assets, not compensating you. We can protect you from accidentally saying something they could use to undermine your claim.
Your attorney can advise you on steps to take after a bicycle accident. Getting your injuries documented and treated is a critical first step. Delaying care can compromise your recovery and hurt your case.
Do not give the other side the opportunity to blame your injuries on your decision to postpone care or claim your injuries could not have been so severe if they had not demanded immediate attention.
Gathering Evidence at the Scene
Sometimes, all you can do in the immediate aftermath of a bicycle accident is stay still until emergency medical care arrives. Do not risk your health and safety to collect evidence. If moving will not cause further injury, start gathering evidence right away. Take photos of your injuries and the accident scene overall.
Note damage to and the locations of the involved vehicles. Capture road defects or other conditions that could have contributed to the crash. Get contact details from other involved parties and witnesses. If there are cameras nearby, note their locations. Your attorney can request access to the footage.
How Bicycle Accidents Happen
Bicycle accident deaths increased by 58% over a recent five-year period, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDoT) Bicycle Safety Campaign. The State saw 2,604 cyclist-involved crashes during the last year of that period, resulting in 106 deaths and 384 serious injuries.
The main factors contributing to the accidents were “driver inattention, failure to yield right of way, and speeding.” Drivers owe bicyclists and others on the road a duty to drive safely, observe all traffic laws, and avoid dangerous practices. There are also traffic laws for bicycles, and the other side may accuse you of breaking those laws and causing the crash.
A Midlothian bicycle accident lawyer from our team will know how those laws and Texas bicycle helmet laws affect your case, and will work diligently to protect you from unfair blame while proving your claim against the at-fault party.
How Degree of Negligence Affects Your Claim
Victims of injury caused by someone else’s negligence can sue for damages only if they are less than 51% culpable for the accident, per Chapter 33 of the Texas Code.
Eligible victims may still see their compensation reduced by any smaller percentage of fault they hold. You can expect the at-fault party to look for ways to put as much blame as possible on you in an effort to keep their payout low.
Midlothian Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Securing Compensation for Your Damages
The common injuries after a bicycle accident can be life-changing. Even those that heal can leave you out of work and in pain for a significant amount of time.
Others are catastrophic, leaving victims with permanent debilitation and in need of constant care. The Texas Law Dog will evaluate your losses with care and seek the highest compensation available. Factors that affect the amount include:
- The severity of your injuries
- The lasting physical and cognitive effects of your injuries
- Income lost during recovery
- Lost earning potential if you cannot return to work
- The extent of your pain and suffering
- Changes to your quality of life
- The strength of your evidence
- Each parties’ degree of negligence
Your Midlothian bicycle accident attorney will explore every possible source of evidence to prove that the at-fault party’s negligence caused your accident and its consequences.
We will also consult with your medical team regarding your prognosis and continuing medical needs, and with your caregivers to get an accurate picture of how your life has changed since the accident.
How Your Case May Resolve
Personal injury cases often resolve through settlement negotiations. Your attorney will present a compensation demand to the other side. They will likely respond with a lower offer.
The opposing sides continue offering evidence, arguments, and adjusted amounts until reaching an agreement. When productive, negotiations can bring cases to a close with less stress and in less time than a trial.
If the other side refuses to engage productively, negotiations may stall. Our team will not recommend settling for a low offer to get out of a trial fight. We are ready to bite back against injustice around the negotiating table or in court, and will help you find the best way forward.
The Texas Law Dog Is on Your Side
Bicycle accidents are destructive. They can disrupt or destroy your physical well-being and leave you emotionally traumatized. When someone else caused this devastation, they should bear the financial costs, not you.
The Texas Law Dog is here to help you fight to make that happen. Connect with us for a free case review. We are on your side and committed to leading your fight for justice.