Weatherford Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Have you been seriously injured after a bicycle accident in Weatherford, TX?
As an injured cyclist, you may be facing serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and financial uncertainty. Fortunately, Texas law gives injured victims the right to hold the at-fault party accountable for their damages.
You may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
The Weatherford bicycle accident lawyer at Stephens Law Firm, PLLC, will serve as your advocate to fight for the full compensation you deserve. Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule a no-obligation free case review to explore your legal options. You can call us at (817) 409-7000.
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How Our Weatherford Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help with a Bicycle Accident Claim
After a serious accident, the last thing you should be worried about is fighting an insurance company for the fair compensation you deserve. Unfortunately, this is exactly what you may be facing as the insurance company may fight your claim by downplaying your injuries or even blaming you for your accident.
An experienced Weatherford personal injury lawyer serves as your legal advocate to protect your legal rights, build your claim, and negotiate on your behalf.
Jason Stephens has more than two decades of experience as a personal injury lawyer and trial lawyer. He uses his decades of experience, advanced resources, and proven track record to seek the best possible results for his clients. Jason Stephens strives to level the playing field against insurance companies and he has achieved some of the largest jury verdicts in Texas history for his clients.
When you hire Jason Stephens to represent you in your injury claim, he will:
- Clearly explain the claims process and what you can expect
- Gather evidence to support your case and prove liability
- Argue the true extent of your injuries and how they have affected you
- Negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company
- Represent you in court if a fair settlement deal cannot be reached
Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule your free consultation with a Weatherford bicycle injury lawyer.
Texas Bicycle Accident Statistics
Texas, Florida, and California are the three states with the most bicycle accidents and altogether accounted for 41% of cyclist fatalities in the U.S. between 2014 and 2017. Bicyclist deaths are also on the rise across the United States, increasing an astounding 25% between 2010 and 2017 among bicycle commuters without an increase in the number of commuters.
- 60% of bicycle fatalities occur on open roads, nowhere near intersections.
- Adults between 45 and 64 account for over 40% of bicycle fatalities. The highest fatality rate is among adults 50 to 59.
- About 467,000 people were injured in bicycle accidents
- About 33% of people injured in bike accidents are under 19
- 37% of bicycle accident deaths involved alcohol for the bicyclist or vehicle driver
Jason Stephens has represented auto accident victims for over 25 years and understands just how common bicycle accidents are and the devastating effects they can have. If you have been seriously injured cycling in Weatherford, contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC for help filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
What Causes Bicycle Accidents in Weatherford?
Bicycle accidents, like car accidents, can be caused by many factors but they are usually caused by human error or negligence. A cycling accident may be caused by not only a motor vehicle driver but also a pedestrian or the bicyclist.
The NHTSA National Survey on Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behaviors found the most common causes of injury to bicyclists were:
- Hit by a car (30%)
- Fell (17%)
- Defective or damaged roadway (13%)
- Cyclist error (13%)
- Crashed with a fixed object (7%)
- Dog ran out (4%)
This means that many bicycle accident cases do not involve vehicles at all. However, most serious bike accidents do involve a traffic collision.
The following factors contribute to many Weatherford bicycle crashes.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents. Every year, 3,500 people are killed by distracted driving and 1,000 people are injured daily. In 2002 alone, the NHTSA estimated that cell phone use contributed to 240,000 crashes and 955 fatalities.
According to one study, drivers who text are 8x more likely to crash. Talking on the phone quadruples the risk of an accident with no significant improvement when using a hands-free device.
Distractions like using a cell phone, talking to passengers, or applying makeup can lead to a devastating bicycle accident.
Driver Inattention
Driver inattention to the road is another leading cause of bicycle accidents. When a driver is inattentive, they may not see hazards, bicyclists, stop signs, or changing traffic lights. Inattention is a factor in 78% of all traffic accidents and 65% of near-crashes.
Drunk Driving
Sadly, drunk driving is an all-too-common problem in Fort Worth and has left many unsuspecting cyclists with life-changing injuries. A drunk driver may swerve into a bike lane or even the sidewalk or strike a cyclist going through an intersection. Many bicycle accidents involving drunk driving are hit-and-run accidents which makes the accident even more devastating.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the leading factors in all types of traffic accidents. A motorist who is speeding has less reaction time to notice a bicyclist and stop. Bicyclists can also cause an accident by cycling too fast. Speed doesn’t just increase the risk of an accident; it also increases severity of injuries.
Dangerous Turns
It’s common for bicycle accidents to occur in intersections. Sometimes drivers turning onto a street or making a left-hand turn at an intersection fail to see oncoming bicycles.
Can a Bicyclist Be at Fault for an Accident?
It’s a common misconception that motorists are always to blame for a bicycle-vehicle collision. However, keep in mind that bicyclists must obey the same traffic laws as vehicles. Cyclists can also be found at fault for a crash.
A cyclist who ran a stop sign or red light, for example, or made a dangerous turn at an intersection can be found partially or totally to blame for a crash.
As an injured cyclist, it’s important to keep this in mind as the insurance company may try to blame you for the collision. Any share of fault that is assigned to you can directly reduce the compensation you receive. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Weatherford will help you build your case to show how the accident happened and why the at-fault driver should be held responsible.
Common Injuries in Weatherford Bicycle Accidents
While bicycle rides only account for 1% of trips in the U.S., bicyclists are more likely to suffer serious injuries or death in an accident than car occupants. Without the protection afforded to vehicle occupants like seat belts, airbags, and the car itself, cyclists hit by a vehicle often suffer very serious injuries.
Common injuries the Weatherford bicycle accident injury lawyer at Stephens Law Firm, PLLC sees often include:
- Internal organ damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Friction burns
- Wrongful death
Injuries from a bicycle accident can be serious and life-changing. You may be facing a long and painful recovery, significant medical expenses, and invasive procedures along with an inability to work. The Weatherford bicycle accident lawyer at Stephens Law Firm, PLLC is here to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Damages Available to Weatherford Bicycle Accident Victims
When your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence or reckless behavior, you are entitled to pursue financial compensation for the damages you have suffered. There are two broad types of compensation you can recover: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages have an intrinsic or quantifiable cost. This includes:
- Medical expenses, including anticipated future medical expenses related to your accident
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity if you are left disabled
Sometimes these damages are easy to calculate, but calculating future earning capacity and medical expenses can be difficult. Jason Stephens has decades of experience representing accident victims and he can help you understand what your case is worth.
Non-economic damages are the damages you suffer with no clear financial cost. These damages are very personal and subjective and may include:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
Your bicycle accident injury lawyer in Weatherford, TX will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Your case will be built on evidence that shows the extent of your injuries and how they have affected your life.
Statute of Limitations to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Texas
After a bicycle accident, you have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. In Texas, the statute of limitations for bicycle accidents is two years. If you do not file your claim before this statute of limitations expires, you will lose your legal right to seek compensation.
Two years can feel like a long time, but it is absolutely crucial that you begin pursuing your case as soon as possible. If you delay, valuable evidence may be lost, including how the accident occurred, what the driver was doing at the time of the accident, and the nature of your injuries.
Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC as soon as possible to begin building your case with an experienced Weatherford bicycle injury lawyer.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Weatherford Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Have you been seriously injured due to a negligent or reckless driver? You do not deserve to suffer the financial burden of your injuries. Jason Stephens of Stephens Law Firm, PLLC strives to be a Difference Maker to advocate for injured clients and level the playing field against the insurance companies.
Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule your free initial consultation with a Weatherford bicycle accident injury lawyer who will fight for you.
