Cities are full of cyclists who ride both as a pastime and as their primary transportation; concerns about cars damaging the environment have made bicycling more attractive to many people. Cities and communities are working to make cycling more accessible and safer for residents.
However, there will always be dangers for riders. There will be drivers who refuse to follow the law and share the road.
That’s why AP Law Group offers legal services for cyclists. Our Houston bicycle accident lawyers support local riders through the legal process after accidents. We fight to get you the compensation you deserve from those responsible.
Cycling Safely in Greater Houston
We understand that cycling is more than a hobby. For many, it’s a way of life in the Houston area. Whether joining the energetic Critical Mass group rides or enjoying the serene bike trails, you deserve to safely ride on Houston’s streets and paths.
Even the most cautious cyclists face risk on the road. The danger is ever-present, with cars and trucks all around and notorious traffic in Houston. A single moment of negligence can change everything and lead to deadly accidents.
If you have a bike accident, the results can be severe, even deadly. You could endure life-altering injuries, no matter what protective gear you wear.
That’s where AP Law Group comes in. As dedicated bicycle accident lawyers, we advocate for cyclists against aggressive insurance teams trying to minimize your claim.
Choose AP Law Group After Your Bicycle Accident
Our lawyers know Houston and know the local legal system. We use that knowledge and experience to achieve the best possible results in your case. Our lawyers take the time to hear your story and understand your situation. We will explain your case and update you on all proceedings and changes.
AP Law doesn’t take your case lightly. We fight hard to ensure those responsible for your accident are held accountable. We care about you, your case, and the outcome, and we get you the compensation you deserve.
Compensation for a Bike Accident in Houston
If you’re in a bicycle accident in Houston, you need a lawyer who understands the value of your case.
Factors Affecting Your Bicycle Accident Case Value:
- Injury Severity: Serious injuries often result in larger settlements. The more severe your injuries, the higher the potential payout.
- Non-Economic Damages: These encompass pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any lasting disabilities or disfigurements that diminish your quality of life.
- Economic Damages: This category includes all medical expenses for your accident, from hospital bills, emergency room visits, and surgery to rehabilitation, therapy, medications, and medical equipment.
- Available Insurance Coverage: Available insurance coverage helps determine case value.
- Fault: Determining who is at fault in the incident greatly influences the settlement.
Accident Laws in Houston
At AP Law Group, every cyclist deserves a safe, pleasant ride on Houston streets. Understanding the laws that protect cyclists is essential for both riders and drivers.
In Houston, car drivers and light trucks must maintain at least a foot distance when passing cyclists. For commercial vehicles, this distance increases to at least six feet. Drivers must keep these distances, especially when following cyclists, and consider traffic, weather, and road conditions.
Know Houston Bike Laws
At intersections, vehicles must yield the right-of-way to bicycles unless the vehicle arrives first, making it safer for cyclists. Bicyclists are usually allowed to ride on the roadway unless a designated bicycle path is available.
This ensures cyclists have the space they need to navigate the roads safely. In the Houston business district, cyclists can only ride on sidewalks with a bike path. Stay informed about where you can ride for safety and compliance.
Where Bike Accidents Happen in Houston
The city is for cars, so cyclists face many road dangers. TxDOT’s history shows that car drivers caused 56% of crashes involving bicycles, and approximately 21% were because the driver didn’t yield to the cyclist. Others were driver speeding or inattention.
Some of the most dangerous areas for bikers in Houston include city streets where residents bike from home, and most bicycling happens overall. Despite the lower speed limits in these areas, increased traffic and larger vehicles mean more devastating accidents. Highways and interstates see fewer cyclists, so fewer accidents. Toll roads have even fewer accidents.
Houston Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bike accidents can cause several injuries, but some are more common than others.
Concussions:
Between 25% to 50% of injured bicyclists sustain concussions or other head injuries. This is a serious concern, as head injuries account for over 60% of fatalities in bicycle accidents. Understanding these risks is essential for safety while riding.
Head injury is a broad term for various injuries to the scalp, skull, or brain. It’s also referred to as a brain injury or traumatic brain injury (TBI), depending on the damage severity.
Head injuries are among the leading causes of death and disability in adults.
Mild head injuries include bumps, bruises, and minor cuts, while moderate to severe injuries include concussions, deep cuts, open wounds, fractured skull bones, internal bleeding, and brain damage.
Spinal Cord Injuries:
A spinal cord injury while cycling can change your life in significant ways. Injuries to the spine can happen through fractures in the bones, damage to nerves, or harm to spinal disks. These injuries often lead to lasting changes in strength, sensation, and bodily functions below the injured area.
Recreational activities, including cycling, account for around 10% of spinal cord injuries. Bicyclists are particularly at risk, especially in accidents with motor vehicles.
Often, injuries don’t come from the collision but from the crash throwing cyclists to hard surfaces like pavement or curbs. While a well-fitted bicycle helmet protects against head injuries, no gear can completely prevent spinal cord injuries.
Broken Bones:
- Collarbones: One of the most common injuries is a collarbone (clavicle) fracture, often when a rider reaches out to break a fall. Treatment varies, from a sling to surgical options involving metal plates and screws.
- Hands and Wrists: The small bones in your hands and wrists are very susceptible to fractures when trying to cushion a fall.
- Hips and Pelvises: Serious impacts, such as being hit by a vehicle, can lead to broken hips or pelvises, posing significant recovery challenges.
- Leg Bones: Legs can get fractures that often require surgery. Post-surgery complications, including infections and blood clots, are risks, too.
- Arms: Falls can fracture the arm bones (humerus, ulna, or radius).
Cyclists can injure other bones, such as ribs and spinal bones. It’s not uncommon for riders to suffer multiple fractures in a single accident.
Bike Accident Causes
Some of the most common bike accidents happen because of car collisions. Many cyclists get injured while riding in traffic. Bicycles are hard to see, and when a rider rides against traffic and the car makes a turn, collisions are a severe risk.
Bicycles on the road are supposed to be treated just like a car; drivers are supposed to yield to cyclists. Right-cross and left-cross collisions happen when the rider drives on one side of the road, and then a car comes from a street on that side and strikes the cyclist. Similar accidents happen when a cyclist drives past a driveway or side street and gets hit by a car coming out.
Drivers often try to overtake cyclists and get around them. The rider receives a hit or sideswiped. This happens usually at night when it’s hard to see the cyclist. These collisions can result in serious injuries or worse.
Why Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Houston
Most cyclists don’t have much legal knowledge and need help dealing with the legal system after a bike accident claim. These claims have a lot of fine print and paperwork. Your Houston bicycle accident lawyer at AP Law Group can help you start by filing your police report and beginning the process on your behalf.
Your lawyer will negotiate for your fair settlement. Insurance companies will always try to pay the least amount possible, but your lawyer knows how to get past low offers.
Throughout the process, your attorney will give you the best legal advice. They know your rights and what you deserve and can help you avoid making decisions that could affect your getting what you deserve.
Your attorney can build the most robust possible case against the liable driver. Many accidents aren’t simple; your lawyer must prove the other party is at fault and liable for your injuries. It’s unwise to do that yourself. You need someone who knows the legal system and will fight for total compensation.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
If you are involved in a bicycle accident, start by moving off the roads to safety. Then, call the police immediately. This is particularly important if you’re injured or can’t get the driver’s information.
Take pictures of the scene, gather as much information as possible, and take notes of the experience as you remember it because time can sometimes affect memory. Don’t talk to the other parties much, and never admit fault. Get medical attention.
If you don’t think you’re injured, you might not need an ambulance, but see a doctor in case there’s something you don’t yet feel.
Call a Houston bike accident attorney who can guide you through the legal process for more support. Your lawyer will explain your rights and responsibilities after a bike accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will a Houston bicycle accident lawyer cost me?
Most bicycle accident lawyers in Houston have contingency fees. This means you only pay the lawyer when you get your settlement. You don’t have to pay an hourly fee or any other fee upfront. Contingency fees help keep legal help affordable.
What accident damages can I claim?
In Houston, a bicycle accident can cost you in many ways. You have the right to claim damages to many things, including:
- Medical Bills
- Property Damage
- Missed Work and Lost Wages
- Physical and Emotional Pain
- And More
Speak with our lawyers about your accident and what you deserve.
Call AP Law Group After Your Bicycle Accident in Houston
If you’ve been in a bike accident in Houston, don’t try to walk it off. You deserve compensation for the trauma you suffered. Call your Houston personal injury lawyers at AP Law Group immediately at (713) 913-4627. We’ll get you through the process and the service you deserve.