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When a car and a bicycle collide, the cyclist almost always suffers more severe injuries than the occupants of the vehicle. If you or someone you love was hurt in a bicycle accident in Texas, an experienced bicycle accident injury lawyer can explain your rights and help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Bicycle accidents happen far too frequently, and according to the Texas Department of Transportation, 364 bicyclists were killed on Texas streets and highways from 2017 to 2021. In 2021 alone, there were 2,267 traffic crashes involving Texas bicyclists, which resulted in 92 deaths. This represents a 12% increase in fatalities over the previous year.
Bicycles do not have the same safety features as a car. The rider is not enclosed inside a passenger compartment; they do not have seatbelts or airbags; and they are much smaller and sometimes more difficult for other drivers to see on the road. Even when cyclists ride as safely as possible, they can still be hurt in an accident with a car, bus, or truck. When a bicycle accident happens, the rider is likely to suffer serious injuries.
Common injuries in a bicycle accident include traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord damage, and broken bones, as well as cuts, lacerations, and bruises. If you were seriously injured in a bicycle accident, you may require ongoing medical care and treatment for the rest of your life.
Do you know what to do after a bicycle accident injury? How will you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses? How quickly should you speak to an attorney? The steps you take in the hours and days after a bicycle accident can improve your chances of securing the compensation you deserve when a bicycle accident causes serious personal injuries.
Call 9-1-1: When a bicycle accident happens, you should contact the police and EMS immediately. When the police officers arrive, be cooperative, explain what happened, and be sure you understand how to obtain a copy of the police report.
Exchange Contact Information: Exchange information with the driver who hit you. Ask for their name, address, phone number, license plate number, driver’s license number, and insurance information.
Take Photographs: If possible, take photographs of the crash site, damage to your bicycle and the other vehicle, and the area surrounding the crash, including road and weather conditions and traffic control devices.
Ask for Witness Information: If there were any witnesses to the crash, ask for their name(s) and contact information.
Seek Medical Treatment: If you’re injured, we recommend seeking medical treatment as soon as possible, even if you feel healthy and do not have obvious signs of injury. Some injuries suffered in a bicycle accident are hard to detect immediately.
A Texas bicycle accident injury lawyer can investigate the accident to establish liability on the part of the driver who hit you. They can develop a strategy to prove the other driver was at fault and to recover financial compensation for your injuries. A bicycle accident injury lawyer can negotiate with the driver’s insurance company to resolve your case and, if a fair settlement is not forthcoming, file a lawsuit to protect your rights and fight for the financial compensation you deserve.
Under Texas law, most people who were injured in a bicycle accident have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you do not file a lawsuit within two years, you may be unable to recover compensation for your injuries.
When you contact the bicycle accident injury lawyers at McKinney Vos, we will evaluate your claim, explain your options, and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. During your initial meeting, we will ask questions and listen as you explain what happened and describe the injuries you suffered. We will develop a strategy and gather the evidence needed to prove your case.
Then we will negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company to obtain fair compensation for your injuries. We can often obtain full and fair compensation without the need to file a lawsuit. But when the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, we can file a lawsuit to protect your rights. We invite you to learn about our services and what to expect when you work with McKinney Vos, and to contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation.
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