Fort Worth Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Many people in the Fort Worth community enjoy cycling as an eco-friendly transportation alternative and fun recreational activity. However, bike travel is not without its fair share of risk. When cyclists are involved in traffic accidents, they frequently suffer severe and sometimes life-threatening injuries. The aftermath of a Fort Worth bicycle accident can leave victims with devastating medical bills, missed time at work, and other personal losses. If you were hit by a car while on a bicycle, contact our Fort Worth bicycle accident lawyer today.
We Have Some of the Best Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Fort Worth
If you were involved in a bicycle accident in Fort Worth, you may be entitled to claim compensation by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. The trusted team at The Wilhite Law Firm can help. Meeting our clients’ needs is always our top priority, whether we’re working to secure the medical care they need or building the best possible case on their behalf. Contact us today to get started with your free initial consultation and learn more about how we can help.
Do You Have a Fort Worth Bicycle Accident Case?
When our personal injury lawyers in Fort Worth at The Wilhite Law Firm examine bicycle accident cases, we generally look at two main factors:
- Fault – If another party was at fault for the crash, you likely have grounds for a claim against them. In most bicycle accident cases, a negligent motorist is at fault, but other parties may bear partial or full responsibility. If a defective vehicle component contributes to the crash, for example, the manufacturer may be at fault.
- Accident-related losses – If you suffered injuries, personal losses, or financial losses as a result of the bicycle accident, you may be entitled to claim compensation for those losses in a bike accident case. The nature and severity of your injuries and other losses directly influence the potential value of your case.
How Can a Fort Worth Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help You?
When cyclists are involved in traffic accidents, they can suffer serious injuries with far-reaching consequences. Expensive medical bills, missed time at work, and difficulty with daily tasks often create mounting personal and financial struggles. A bicycle accident lawyer at The Wilhite Law Firm can help you seek fair compensation for these types of losses in an accident insurance claim and/or personal injury lawsuit.
If you were injured in a Fort Worth bicycle accident, we can support your case by:
- Explaining your options for seeking compensation and providing seasoned legal advice
- Estimating the potential value of your bicycle accident claim
- Investigating the circumstances surrounding the bicycle accident to locate useful evidence and determine who was at fault
- Working with expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction specialists, who can provide professional insight regarding the causes and effects of the wreck
- Communicating with other parties, their insurance companies, and their attorneys on your behalf
- Negotiating effectively during settlement talks and taking your case to trial, if needed, to maximize your compensation
Demanding Full Payment in Your Bicycle Accident Case
Depending on the nature and severity of your injuries and other losses, you could be entitled to the following types of compensation after a Fort Worth bicycle accident:
- Medical costs – Past and future medical expenses related to the treatment of your bicycle accident injuries, such as bills from ambulance rides, hospital stays, doctors’ visits, and prescription medications.
- Incidental costs – Out-of-pocket costs you incur as a result of the bicycle accident, such as costs of in-home assistance or travel needed for medical appointments.
- Lost wages – Losses in your take-home pay from any time you miss at work while you recover from your bicycle accident injuries.
- Lost earning potential – Losses in your long-term earning capacity from any accident-related disabilities that prevent you from returning to your previous job.
- Pain and suffering – The subjective costs of the pain, suffering, and losses in the quality of life you endure as a result of the bicycle accident and resulting injuries.
- Punitive damages – The term “punitive damages” refers to a special type of compensation awarded to accident victims who have been injured by at-fault parties who were extremely negligent or intentionally malicious.
If your loved one died in a fatal bicycle accident in Fort Worth, you could be entitled to the following types of compensation from a wrongful death claim:
- Funeral and burial expenses – Reasonable funeral, burial, or cremation costs such as basic service fees, transportation fees, casket costs, and embalming and preparation fees.
- Lost earnings, benefits, and inheritance – The value of any income, benefits, goods, or services the deceased would have provided if they had survived.
- Survivors’ pain and suffering – The subjective cost of the pain, suffering, and loss of companionship you endure as a result of your loved one’s wrongful death.
Time Limit for Filing a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Texas
Like all states, Texas imposes strict time limits on your ability to take certain types of legal action. When it comes to personal injury lawsuits, such as bicycle accident cases, Texas law gives you just two years from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit in civil court. In a wrongful death case, Texas law gives you two years from the date of the victim’s death to file suit in court.
If you fail to file your lawsuit within two years of the date of the bicycle accident, the at-fault party can ask the court to dismiss your case, and the court will likely grant their request. If this occurs, you will effectively lose your right to claim the compensation you deserve, regardless of the strength of your underlying case.
What to Do If You’ve Been Hurt in a Bike Accident
If you were hit by a car on a bicycle or hurt in a Fort Worth bike accident, you can protect your legal rights and improve your chances of securing the compensation you need by:
- Seeking prompt medical attention to determine the extent of your injuries, obtain the treatment you need, and establish a formal record of your condition
- Following through on your doctor’s orders and attending all follow-up appointments to expedite your recovery and demonstrate that you are taking your health seriously
- Gathering as much evidence as possible by documenting everything you can remember about the bicycle accident, taking photos of the accident scene, and asking eyewitnesses for contact details
- Keeping track of all related expenses, including medical bills, repair invoices, pay stubs, and other proof of accident-related expenses or financial losses
- Avoiding conversations with the driver’s insurance company and refusing to provide written or recorded statements about the accident
- Avoiding social media activity while your bicycle accident claim is pending
- Contacting an experienced bicycle accident lawyer for professional advice and legal representation
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicycle riders lack the sturdy vehicle frames, protective seat belts, and airbags that shield vehicle occupants from the most brutal forces of a motor vehicle collision. Because of their comparative vulnerability, bicycle accident victims frequently suffer severe injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Facial injuries and dental trauma
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back, neck, and shoulder injuries
- Dislocated, broken, and shattered bones
- Traumatic or surgical amputations
- Soft-tissue injuries, sprains, and tears
- Bruises, lacerations, and burns
- Knee, elbow, and joint injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Wrongful death
Common Causes of Bicycle Crashes in Fort Worth
Many Fort Worth bicycle accidents are caused by the negligence or reckless behavior of motorists. Common causes of bicycle crashes include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Drowsy driving
- Failure to create an appropriate buffer when passing
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Failure to check blind spots
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Following too closely
- Attempting to overtake and turn in front of cyclists
- Lane weaving and unsafe lane changes
- Turning or merging without looking or signaling
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Failure to obey traffic signs, signals, and control devices
- Poor road conditions such as potholes or missing signs
- Defective vehicles components such as brakes or tires
- Negligently opened vehicle doors
Bicycle Accident FAQs
At The Wilhite Law Firm, we frequently receive the following questions from bicycle accident victims in Fort Worth:
Fort Worth Bicycle Accident
What if the driver who hit me is uninsured?
If you are injured by an uninsured driver in a Texas bicycle accident, you may be able to cover your losses by filing a claim with your own auto insurance provider. If you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage as part of your policy, you could be entitled to compensation regardless of who was at fault for the wreck.
What if I was hurt in a hit-and-run?
If the at-fault motorist fled the scene of the bicycle accident after they collided with you, you will only be able to file a claim or lawsuit against them if you can identify the driver later on. If not, you could still be entitled to claim compensation from your UM auto insurance policy.
Should I talk to the insurance adjuster after a bike crash?
Generally speaking, no. If you are contacted by the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you are not obligated to speak to them, and doing so could actually damage your case. You may be required by the terms of your policy to provide a statement to your own insurance provider after a bicycle accident. If so, it’s best to seek advice or representation from a knowledgeable attorney.
How much does it cost to hire a bicycle accident lawyer in Fort Worth?
At The Wilhite Law Firm, we understand the financial struggles many bicycle accident victims endure due to ballooning medical expenses, missed time at work, and other monetary losses. As a result, we are proud to offer our services on a contingency-fee basis. This means our attorneys charge no upfront or out-of-pocket fees to begin work on your case, and we do not get paid unless we recover compensation for you.
Talk to a Fort Worth Bicycle Accident Attorney Now
At The Wilhite Law Firm, we have the skills and resources needed to help you pursue fair compensation for your losses after a bicycle accident. If you were hit by a car on a bicycle or involved in a bicycle crash or bicycle accident, contact us today to discuss the details of your Fort Worth bicycle accident claim with a compassionate attorney in a free initial case review.
