Fort Worth Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries to the victim. A rider is essentially defenseless against an oncoming car. A rider may, unfortunately, find themselves suffering from a brain injury or paralysis. Extreme cases may even result in a wrongful death. It can be common for insurance carriers to attempt to deny liability in such situations. Retaining a qualified attorney to assist you is, therefore, a crucial first step. The Fort Worth bicycle accident lawyers of Noteboom – The Law Firm practice exclusively in the area of personal injury law. Our firm strives to give the highest level of representation. If you or a family member are in need of assistance then contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.

DFW injury attorneys assisting bicyclists who have been hit by a car

When a bicyclist is hit by an oncoming car then they almost assuredly will suffer some form of injury. As with motorcycle accidents, it is common for insurance companies to attempt to dispute liability. These insurers may attempt to claim that the rider was not paying attention, that they failed to give a hand signal, or that they were too close to a lane boundary. Even if liability is not disputed, insurers may also attempt to claim that the rider’s injuries are not as severe as claimed. Moreover, if one was not wearing a helmet then arguments may be raised that comparative fault should apply.

A victim should seek immediate attention after having been hit by a car. It is important that they then contact an attorney as soon as possible. Counsel will contact the defendant’s insurance carrier and inform them of the representation. Once it becomes more clear as to the extent to which the victim can, or cannot, be expected to recover then a settlement demand will be sent to the insurer. If a settlement is not reached then the matter will proceed to litigation. The victim’s attorney will use the discovery process to determine whether or not the defendant was engaging in distracted driving (such as texting while behind the wheel) in addition to exploring other theories of liability. While most cases settle, the matter will go to trial if an agreement cannot be reached. The jurors will decide the issues of liability, comparative fault, and damages.

A victim’s damages in such a case can include compensation for past and future lost income, past and future medical bills, as well as compensation for pain and suffering. This last component includes payment for pain endured, scars from the incident, mental anguish and depression, as well as for any loss in quality of life. If the jury believes that the victim was partially responsible for the accident then any compensation will be reduced in proportion to the amount of fault assigned to the victim. Establishing liability and presenting a case to a jury can be a highly complicated process. Retaining an experienced attorney is an important step towards making sure a case is handled correctly.

Our DFW injury attorneys assist those who have been harmed while riding a bicycle. Once you retain Noteboom – The Law Firm, we will contact the insurance company so that we may deal with them directly. Should a lawsuit become necessary then we will retain any experts who are necessary to push the matter forward. These professionals may include an accident reconstructionist as well as medical and vocational experts. Chuck Noteboom and Brian Butcher are both Board Certified in Personal Injury Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and we employ an on-staff investigator. We have the experience to see your case through to completion and we look forward to speaking with you. Contact us today to get started.

In addition to Texas’ greater DFW area, we also handle matters in Arlington, Austin, Denton, Frisco, Irving, Lufkin, Garland, Houston, McKinney, Richardson, San Antonio, and the rest of the state.

Fort Worth lawyers with a proven track record in personal injury cases

Our firm was founded in 1977 on the belief that the rights of persons should be protected over those of insurance companies. We also believe that those who were injured due to the fault of another deserve justice. This is why we work to provide quality representation. This includes staying in regular communication with our clients and making sure that they know what to expect as the process moves forward. We will make ourselves accessible and will address any concerns you may have.

Frequent questions regarding bicycle accident cases

Does Texas have helmet laws regarding bicycles?

Texas does not have a statewide law regarding the use of helmets while riding a bicycle. Many cities and municipalities, however, have local ordinances on the topic. This means that whether or not one is required to wear a helmet will depend on which part of the state they are in. It should be understood, however, that the defense will be permitted to argue that the lack of a helmet should impact that jury’s comparative fault analysis. This is especially important if the case involves brain damage or some other type of injury.

How does Texas comparative fault law impact bicycle accidents?

Texas allows a victim to recover damages even if they were partially at fault for an accident. Any recovery will be reduced in proportion to the extent to which the jury believes the victim is at fault. If, however, the jury finds that the victim is at least fifty-one percent responsible for the incident then the victim will be prohibited from recovery.

Insurance contacted me after a bicycle accident. What should I do?

It is common for a defendant’s insurance carriers to contact a victim immediately after an accident. These insurers will often attempt to settle the matter directly with the Plaintiff and will often claim that there is no need to involve an attorney. It is important to always remember that the insurance carrier will attempt to settle the case for as little as possible. It is the role of your lawyer to get you the highest possible settlement. It is generally advisable to retain counsel rather than dealing with the adjuster directly.