Houston Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Representing Clients Throughout Texas & the Entire Country. Billions Won.

As fuel costs rise and Americans become more aware of the negative environmental impacts associated with motor vehicles, bicycles are becoming an increasingly common form of transportation, even on busy streets and highways. Because few cities have designated bike lanes, cyclists must share the road with both small and large motor vehicles. Sometimes, those vehicles do not pay proper attention to bike riders and engage in unsafe driving.

Abogados de accidentes de auto en Houston

If you or a loved one was hurt in a bike accident, a Texas bicycle accident lawyer from Arnold & Itkin LLP can help. Contact us today for a free, confidential review of your case.

Risks Faced by Cyclists in Texas

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2013 approximately 48,000 bicyclists were injured in motor vehicle traffic accidents, and 743 were killed. The state of Texas had the third-highest rate of cyclist fatalities in the nation, with 48 in 2013 alone.

Other shocking statistics paint the true picture of the dangers a cyclist faces on the road:

• Alcohol use was reported in over 1/3 of traffic crashes that caused bicyclist fatalities in 2013.
• Approximately 68% of pedal cyclist fatalities occur in urban areas.
• The average age of pedal cyclists killed is 41; the average age of injury is 31.
• Children under the age of 15 constitute 7% of cyclist fatalities and 11% of traffic injuries.

Compared to a car or truck driver, bikers have little to no protection if they are involved in an accident. As a result, the injuries a cyclist incurs during a crash, even wearing a helmet and protective gear, are much more severe than those sustained by motorists. Common injuries involved in bicycle accidents can include everything from road burn and fractures to traumatic brain injuries and neck injuries.

Bicycle accidents can occur for many different reasons, such as:

• Cars or trucks turning unexpectedly or change lanes without looking
• Parked car doors opening suddenly without motorists checking for passing cyclists
• Car and truck drivers failing to give cyclists the right of way
• Drivers cutting off cyclists
• Drivers engaging in reckless driving habits such as texting while driving or DUI

What Injuries Do Bicycle Accidents Cause?

A bicycle accident can cause serious trauma to a cyclist, even if they are wearing a helmet and other protective gear. If a cyclist is involved in a collision with a motor vehicle like a bus or a truck, the chances of catastrophic injury are great, even in a low-speed accident. An accident in a parking lot or as a car is backing out of a driveway could leave a bicycle rider suffering from life-changing trauma.

The following are examples of potential cyclist injuries:

As Houston injury attorneys, we know how damaging these injuries can be. They can have a profound physical, emotional, and financial impact. That is why we are so committed to helping injured riders.

Am I Entitled to Compensation After a Bicycle-Related Injury?

Anyone who injures or kills a cyclist may be held liable for a wide variety of damages, including past and future medical and rehabilitation expenses, past and future lost earnings, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, loss of parental or spousal financial support, loss of spousal relations, property damage, incidental expenses, and various other expenses.

There are many other types of physical, economic, and sometimes even punitive damages that a responsible party may be liable for if he or she showed gross negligence or was a repeat offender. At Arnold & Itkin, our bicycle accident attorneys have years of experience in handling cycling claims. We are prepared to aggressively pursue compensation for injuries suffered as a result of negligent motorists. We fight for the best results. No matter what.

How a Houston Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help

There are a few things you should do if you've been involved in a bicycle accident. The first is to seek medical attention, but once you've seen a doctor, what's next? Who will pay your medical bills? What will you tell the insurance company, and what can you do if you're suddenly blamed for the accident? An attorney can help.

When we take on a bicycle accident case in Houston, our attorneys:

• Handle all communication with the insurance company and other key parties.
• Work with investigators and accident reconstruction experts to determine what caused the incident.
• Use the findings of this investigation to determine who is to blame.
• Gather evidence that helps us build a strong case against the at-fault party or parties.
• Determine the full and fair value of your claim based on current and future expenses and injuries.
• Negotiate or litigate to seek maximum compensation so you can rebuild your life.

Contact a Houston bike accident lawyer at (888) 493-1629. If we take your case, you pay nothing unless we win.