Fort Worth is a great place to ride a bike. Our community is home to several bike trails and parks, as well as bike paths throughout our urban areas. While biking provides a great way to exercise and get from place to place, it’s also dangerous. Drivers must share the road with bikers and keep a safe distance, but some fail to follow the rules of the road or engage in other dangerous activities, like distracted driving. Our Fort Worth lawyers are here to represent any bicycle retaliated accidents.
Bicycle injuries can be serious or even life-threatening. It’s not uncommon for a bicyclist to incur head injury, broken bones, or even a spinal cord injury in the wake of an accident. These all require lengthy recovery and rehabilitation, and they might even lead to permanent disability.
The Most Common Causes of Bike Crashes
A person can crash their bike virtually anywhere, but there are some forms of accidents that are more common than others. These include:
- Accidents occurring at an intersection. Despite popular belief, the vast majority of accidents don’t involve another vehicle. Of those that do, however, about half occur at an intersection. A common scenario might be a car turning right into a biker who is crossing at a green light.
- Crashes resulting from riding against traffic. Some people assume that riding against traffic is safer, but it’s actually against the law. Riders must follow the rules of the road, which includes riding with the flow of traffic.
- Accidents due to road hazards. Failure to safely maintain area roadways can lead to accidents, especially from potholes, unmanned construction areas, or large pieces of debris.
What to Do After a Bicycle Crash
A bicycle accident can cause life-changing personal injuries. The steps you take after an accident can determine whether someone else will be accountable for causing these injuries. Taking the proper steps can increase your chances of both physical and financial recovery in Fort Worth. Although every case is unique, the same basic steps of what to do after a bicycle accident remain the same.
- Stay on the scene. Move to a safe place away from the roadway, if possible. Check yourself for injuries, and request an ambulance if necessary.
- Call the police. Report your accident to the police if it caused injuries, deaths, or more than $1,000 in property damage. Remain at the scene of the accident until police arrive.
- Do not admit fault. Do not make any apologies for the accident, and do not admit fault to the driver, the police, or insurance agents. Do not agree to give a recorded statement to an insurance claims adjuster.
- Get medical attention. Seek medical care for your injuries right away. Do not delay, as this could worsen your prognosis and send the wrong message to insurers. Request immediate medical care, even if you are not sure whether you have injuries.
- Collect information. Start gathering information about your bicycle accident, such as where you were and who it involved. Take photographs of the crash scene, your bike, and your injuries. Get the name and insurance information of the driver that struck you.
- Get advice from a lawyer. An attorney will have your best interests in mind, unlike a claims adjuster that works for the insurance company. Consulting with a personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and legal options.
Protecting your rights as a crash victim takes knowing what they are to begin with. Working with an attorney as early in your case as possible can help you preserve evidence, avoid making common mistakes, and build a strong case against the at-fault party.
Who is Liable in a Bike Crash?
Most people who incur injury in a bike crash have one question in common: “Who is responsible for my injuries?” In some cases, determining the negligent party is straightforward: if a biker is crossing at a green light and a car turns into them, the driver of the motor vehicle would most likely be at fault.
In other cases, however, a bicyclist and a driver may share fault. If you’re both breaking one of the rules of the road (for example, making a right on red and misjudging a speeding driver), a judge might find you both at fault for an accident.
Will Fault Affect My Claim to Personal Injury?
If you are partially at fault for a bike accident, it may affect your personal injury settlement. Texas follows a “modified comparative fault” rule when it comes to personal injury claims. In other words, you will still be able to collect damages if you’re less than 51% at fault – but your settlement will be a proportion of your fault.
Here’s an example: say you incurred $100,000 worth of damages in a bicycle accident, but an investigation finds you were 20% at fault. In this case, your maximum award would be $80,000.
Why Choose Us?
Hiring a bicycle accident attorney to represent your Fort Worth case means having time to focus on healing from your injuries while a professional handles compensation negotiations on your behalf. Choosing the right attorney will give you confidence in your case, and help you stay updated about the status of your claim every step of the way. Why do clients choose us?
- We have over a decade of experience, and have tried over 50 personal injury cases throughout Texas.
- We have won cases for thousands of clients without needing to take the cases to trial.
- Personal care. We believe in personal care for personal injuries. Our lawyers offer customized legal services.
Aaron A. Herbert and his associates have the tenacity, experience, and skill to represent even the most complex bicycle accident claims. No claim is too big or too small. During a free consultation, one of our attorneys will examine the facts of the case and give you honest, reliable advice as to how to proceed. Call (855) 655-HURT to request yours today.
Contact a Fort Worth Bike Accident Attorney
A personal injury settlement can help pay for both economic and general damages resulting from your bike crash. Economic damages compensate for medical bills, lost wages, and any other tangible expenses necessary for your recovery. General damages provide payment for physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any loss in life quality.
The Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert is committed to helping victims of Fort Worth bike accidents gain compensation for their injuries. If you’re struggling under the weight of medical bills or other expenses, contact our office for a free case review. Let us provide a strategic review of your legal options and help you decide on the next steps. We also offer our legal services on a contingency-fee basis for your convenience.
Don’t pay the price for someone else’s negligence.
Schedule your free initial consultation today.
