Plano Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Plano is a great city for bicycle riders. With numerous trails, shared use paths and on-street bike routes, there are lots of ways to get around on your bicycle — either for pleasure or for going green and riding your bike to work. Maybe you’re a member of the Plano Bicycle Association and go on group rides, or you’re out for a solo ride. Either way, no matter how careful you are, accidents happen. That’s when it’s important to work with Plano bicycle accident lawyers who are skilled in handling these sorts of cases.
It’s an unfortunate reality that there are some drivers who don’t really like to share the road, and drive too close, forcing you off the road. Or maybe they turn in front of you. Or, as was the case in a recent fatal bicycle accident, the driver just didn’t see the cyclist until it was too late.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, we are ready to assist you. Our law firm has experience taking on the insurance companies and winning, whether that’s a negotiated insurance settlement or winning in civil court.
Bicycle Accidents Can Be More Serious Than Car Accidents
Bicycle accidents can lead to very serious injuries, and sometimes, death. That’s because the only real protection you have as a cyclist is your helmet and your awareness of your surroundings. In a car, you have a steel structure around you, airbags, a seatbelt and more to protect you. In many bicycle accidents, the driver of the vehicle walks away without a scratch, but the cyclist sustains severe injuries, or dies as a result of their injuries.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in 2016, 835 bicyclists died in crashes with motor vehicles. And more than half of those killed in 2016 weren’t wearing helmets. Statistics show that helmet use can reduce the odds of a head injury by 50%. Although Texas law doesn’t require you to wear a bicycle helmet, it is strongly recommended to protect you in the event of an accident.
Common injuries in bicycle accidents include:
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Sprains
- Cuts, scratches and bruising
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
If you only sustained a road rash, consider yourself lucky. But there are several things you should do no matter how serious you think the accident is. Those include:
Call 911 to report the accident
If you or someone riding with you has been in an accident, even if you were just run off the road by a driver, you should report the accident. Getting the police to document the accident is important when it comes to filing an insurance claim.
Get medical attention
You may think you didn’t suffer any serious injuries, but let the medical professionals check you out. Adrenalin can mask the pain of injuries. If you sustained more serious injuries, you may be taken to the hospital.
Record the scene of the accident
If you are able, you can do this yourself. Otherwise, ask someone else to do it. Use your smartphone to take pictures of the scene, including your bike, the vehicle involved, your injuries, etc. You can also make videos. Try and collect the names and contact information for any witnesses.
Getting an Insurance Settlement or Going to Court
In most instances, our Plano bicycle accident lawyers are able to negotiate a satisfactory insurance settlement that compensates you for your injuries. Sometimes, we have to file a lawsuit to get you the compensation you deserve. We have the experience to handle either situation.
Rarely is a bicycle accident the cyclist’s fault, even partially. But keep in mind that the insurance company will try and blame you for the accident so they can reduce the dollar figure they have to pay out. And if your case goes to court, if you are found to be partially at fault, any award you receive will be reduced. This is because Texas is a modified comparative fault state. But as long as you are less than 51% at fault, you are entitled to seek damages.
Common damages include:
- Reimbursement for current and future medical bills related to injuries you received in the accident
- Replacement of your bicycle and any other property that was damaged, such as your helmet, bike shoes, cycling jersey, etc.
- Reimbursement for lost wages if you were out of work after the accident
- Future lost wages if you are disabled due to the accident
- Pain and suffering
- Additional damages if it was a drunk driving accident
- Additional damages if we file a wrongful death suit
When you work with one of our Plano bicycle accident lawyers, you can focus on recovering from your injuries and getting your life back to normal after the accident. Let us help you deal with the stress of navigating the insurance and legal paperwork, making countless phone calls, interviewing witnesses and more. Let us put our legal experience to work for you.
Contact one of our Plano Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today
If someone crashed into you while you were riding your bike, you need skilled Plano bicycle accident lawyers working with you to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. During your FREE consultation, we will ask you some very specific and detailed questions about your accident and what injuries you sustained. After we gather this information, our Plano bicycle accident lawyers will offer you legal guidance to help you decide how to move forward with your case. Call our Plano law office at 469-998-4069 today, or fill out our contact form on the right, and someone will get back with you shortly.
