Bicycle Accidents Often Result in Serious Injuries
Our Wichita Falls bicycle accident lawyer knows how seriously people can be injured when they are involved in bicycle crashes in Wichita Falls or elsewhere in Texas and Oklahoma. To adequately relay how prominent bicycle crashes actually are, we would like to present some statistics. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), every year in the United States, bicycle injuries account for approximately 1.2 million visits to the doctor, 580,000 visits to the emergency room, 23,000 admissions to the hospital, and 900 deaths.
Additionally, as is with the case in motorcycle accidents and pedestrian accidents, because of their lack of safety features such as seatbelts and airbags, and the benefit of being enclosed within a vehicle that motorists in cars, trucks, and SUVs enjoy, bicyclists are faced with a greater risk of injury and death and the number of fatalities caused from bicycle accidents continues to rise.
Our Wichita Falls Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you or someone you know has suffered injuries from a bicycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have a right to seek compensation for your damages. If this accident resulted in the death of an individual, that person’s family may have a wrongful death claim that will allow them to pursue compensation for not only financial losses but also emotional damages.
Our Wichita Falls personal injury lawyer has seen how traumatic, devastating, and life-altering bicycle accidents can be, and we have assembled a team that stands by ready to answer your questions and provide you with the guidance and support you need throughout the process in recovering the compensation that you are entitled to. Please call us today at 940-569-4000 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.
Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Wichita Falls, in Texas, and in Oklahoma
Like other accidents, bicycle accidents occur in many different scenarios and circumstances. Some of these circumstances include at crosswalks and intersections, at traffic lights/signs, when making turns, or in rear-end accidents and sideswipe accidents.
Often, drivers of motor vehicles attempt to blame the bicyclist for causing the crash even if they were the ones who failed to yield the right of way, or they were not paying attention to the road and their surroundings. Additionally, drunk drivers account for a significant number of bicycle crashes.
Other factors that contribute to bicycle crashes include reckless driving from nearby motorists, distracted driving, and varying road and weather conditions. Because of their increased risk of accident and injury, bicycles should ride their bikes very defensively, and always be on the lookout for other drivers on the road in order to prevent serious injury to themselves. Unfortunately, as much as a bicyclist drives defensively, they can only do so much to avoid a wreck, and if a fast-moving car makes a sudden lane change or an unexpected turn, the bicyclists will endure the worst of the crash.
How to Prove Who Was at Fault for Your Wichita Falls Bicycle Accident
As is the case with most personal injury cases, you will only be able to recover damages for your injuries that you are able to prove (that is why it is important to seek medical attention immediately and get all your injuries and treatment documented) and that is only after you are able to prove the other party was the cause of the accident (that is why it is so important to take pictures of the accident scene, make sure the police investigate and create an accident report, and collect contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident happen).
Proving negligence of the other party is imperative to receiving compensation and furthermore, proving your damages is critical in securing the max amount of compensation you deserve.
Often, the insurance company for the person who caused the accident will fight you, claiming their insured wasn’t at fault, and they may even try to twist the blame around and blame you as the bicyclist as being the cause of the accident. In Texas and Oklahoma, if you are found at fault, or are deemed to be a contributing factor to your accident, a form of comparative fault law could reduce, or even eliminate your right to recover compensation for your injuries.
Due to the risky nature of these claims, you should consider hiring an experience bicycle accident lawyer who can help you effectively investigate your claim, obtain and preserve evidence, and argue and negotiate on your behalf to secure the maximum amount of compensation for your claim. When it comes to investigating bicycle accidents, our Wichita Falls accident and injury attorney will:
- Secure and review police reports
- Contact witnesses and obtain recorded statements
- Take photographs of the accident scene and the vehicles involved (if contacted quickly enough)
- Consult with experts such as accident reconstructionists or economists
- Collect medical records and bills and review them
- Consult with medical providers regarding the nature of your injuries and any long-term implications, need for future care or treatment, and any impairment that could prevent your ability to earn a living
- Deal with insurance companies and the adjusters handling your claim, not allowing them to use the typical tactics they try to employ to minimize your claim
The above list is just a portion of the key things our Wichita Falls bicycle accident lawyer will do for you to ensure you maximize your compensation and get as much as you deserve for your injuries. If you were in a bicycle accident that someone else caused, you should contact our experienced Wichita Falls bike accident attorney immediately.
Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents
Bicyclists who are injured in accidents involving cars and other motor vehicles often suffer very serious injuries due to their lack of protection. Some of these devastating injuries include:
- Broken and fractured bones
- Head injuries including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Back, neck, and spinal injuries
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Road rash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Nerve damage
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Death
Damages You Might Recover After a Wichita Falls Bicycle Accident
Due to injuries from bicycle accidents often being severe and very serious injuries, the medical treatment for these injuries is usually substantial and with substantial treatment comes substantial medical bills. Additionally, you might not be able to work while you are recovering from your injuries, making your situation even more difficult than it already is. When you hire an experienced Wichita Falls personal injury lawyer, they can pursue a claim for damages for a multitude of things, including:
- Past and future medical bills
- Money you have lost from not being able to work and money you may lose in the future due to not being able to work or being limited in your ability to work
- Past and future pain and suffering
- Impairment and loss of enjoyment of life
Our Wichita Falls bicycle accident lawyer can advise you on what damages you may be able to recover in your claim. Our Wichita Falls, Texas personal injury firm handles all types of injury claims throughout all of Texas and Oklahoma on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay us anything unless we secure compensation for you. To find out more, call us today at 940-569-4000 or fill out our contact form to set up a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.
What Should I do After my Bicycle Accident in Wichita Falls?
If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Wichita Falls, the first and more important thing to do is to get proper medical care for your injuries as soon as possible. Additionally, make sure an accident report is filed by the police. These two steps do one important thing: it is documenting evidence to prove your case. By seeking medical attention, you are ensuring there is documented evidence of your damages which will be critical in determining how much compensation you should receive. And by requesting an accident report is filed, you are ensuring there is documented evidence regarding who was liable for the accident, which will be critical in getting the insurance company to accept responsibility and be willing to pay anything at all.
Finally, you should seek a free consultation with an experienced bicycle accident attorney BEFORE you talk with the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster. Please DO NOT give the insurance company a recorded statement or sign any forms until you have at least read our article, How to Deal with Insurance Companies and Their Adjusters. Anything you say could be used against you to deny or minimize your claim, and by giving that recorded statement or signing those forms, you could be derailing your claim.
An experienced Wichita Falls bike accident lawyer can ensure your legal rights are protected and can handle the dirty work for you while you focus on getting better. Our Wichita Falls accident and injury lawyer is experienced in helping accident victims recover everything they are entitled to under the law. We can guide you along in the process and help you make the best decision for your case.
Contact Our Wichita Falls Bicycle Accident Law Firm
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a bicycle accident, you need to consult with our experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Wichita Falls, Texas. Our Wichita Falls personal injury attorney knows how important these matters are for you and your family, and how it really impacts you. We are standing by ready to provide you with the guidance and support you need while answering any questions you may have.
To speak with our Wichita Falls bike accident attorney, call us at 940-569-4000 or fill out our contact form to set up a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.