Did you sustain injuries as a result of a bike-involved collision? This is likely a stressful time in your life, and understandably so. Getting hurt in a crash of any kind can be overwhelming, but bicycle accidents are especially disorienting due to the lack of protection bicyclists have.
Many injured cyclists get stressed out when other drivers and insurance companies try to minimize what happened. But with a personal injury lawyer in San Marcos by your side, you don’t have to worry about them shifting blame onto you because we’ll protect your rights.
As your bicycle accident lawyer in San Marcos, The Texas Law Dog is willing to travel for consultations. If you can’t make it to our office, we’ll come to you. You won’t owe us anything until we recover compensation, since we also work on a contingency fee basis.
How Texas State Laws Apply to Bicycle Accident Cases
Texas state laws give injured victims the right to pursue compensation when another person’s careless actions caused them harm. More specifically, in bicycle accident cases, these are examples of what negligence often involves:
- Getting distracted while driving
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
- Speeding above the posted limits
- Driving in an aggressive manner
- Failing to yield when required
- Violating other traffic laws
Additionally, Texas follows something known as the modified comparative fault rule. This means people who are injured in collisions can still recover compensation if they are determined to be partially at fault for the accident.
The only caveat is that you cannot be more than 50% at fault. Otherwise, you’ll be barred from recovering any money at all. As long as you don’t surpass this liability threshold, the amount of compensation that you’ll be awarded will be reduced by your assigned percentage of fault.
What Types of Compensation Can You Recover After the Crash?
Many bicycle accident victims don’t realize the value of their case immediately after the crash. After all, your injuries might not have fully presented themselves yet, especially if you sustained some that are known to worsen over time.
Additionally, future medical needs aren’t necessarily obvious or understood until weeks, if not months, after the collision. In general, bicycle accident claims can include compensation for the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Emergency treatment
- Surgical procedures
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medications
- Follow-up care
- Future costs
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
Also, if your bicycle was either partially damaged or fully destroyed in the crash, you can seek recovery for property damage as well. Punitive damages may apply depending on the details of the collision, and your lawyer can help evaluate the full scope of damages in your case.
San Marcos Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
How Insurance Companies Handle Bicycle Accident Claims
Many injured cyclists think insurance companies will work with them after a crash. Unfortunately, insurers are businesses at the end of the day, and this means they are primarily focused on limiting how much money they owe victims whenever possible.
Adjusters try to sound friendly at first, but their ultimate goal is to protect the company’s financial interests, not yours. Insurance companies sometimes contact victims and offer fast settlements before the full extent of injuries is known, so these offers don’t always cover the following:
- Future treatment
- Ongoing rehabilitation
- Lost earning potential
Adjusters are known to ask victims to make recorded statements as well, but then, they might turn around and use your own words against you. In some cases, insurers will attempt to blame you entirely for the crash or argue that your injuries were actually pre-existing.
It’s important to be represented by attorneys who understand how insurance companies approach these cases. That knowledge can become an advantage during negotiations.
It’s all about having someone who will pursue fair compensation instead of letting insurers pressure you into unfair settlements.
Why Truck-Related Bicycle Accidents Can Be Especially Dangerous
Truck-related bike crashes can cause disastrous injuries because there’s such a big size and weight difference between bicycles and other vehicles on the road. These factors can all contribute to the collision:
- Blind spots
- Wide turns
- Driver fatigue
- Overloaded cargo
- Commercial driving violations
As a result, these cases are often more legally complicated than others because multiple parties are usually involved. From trucking companies and maintenance providers to cargo companies and insurance carriers, even federal trucking regulations can affect the investigation.
San Marcos bicycle accident lawyers who are familiar with trucking industry practices will know how to recognize evidence or violations that others might overlook. This can make all the difference when building a case in your favor.
Call The Texas Law Dog ASAP for Help From Our San Marcos Bicycle Accident Law Firm
As a law firm known for fighting hard for injured Texans, we treat our clients like neighbors, not case numbers. We’re very familiar with the San Marcos community, and we’ve gained a wealth of local knowledge over the years of serving people throughout Texas.
Before becoming an attorney, the founder of our law firm worked in the insurance industry and owned agencies. As a result, our San Marcos bicycle accident lawyers have valuable insight into how insurance companies evaluate and defend injury claims.
From collecting evidence to connecting clients with medical resources and offering convenient texting communication tools, The Texas Law Dog focuses on making the legal process easier from the very beginning. Contact us today to see what we can do for you.
