Bicycle Accident Attorney for Bicycle Accident Victims
On sunny days in Fort Worth, you may notice cyclists lining the city streets or cruising along the waterfront at Trinity Trails or Harmon Field. With the arrival of bike sharing and electric bike services, this activity has become even more accessible and attractive to Fort Worthians.
Still, biking involves the risks of heavy traffic, poor visibility, and negligent drivers who may not watch out for cyclists on the road.
Should you or a loved one find yourself injured after a bicycle accident in Fort Worth, reach out to The Francis Firm to learn about how our personal injury lawyers can help you recover compensation. Our experienced Fort Worth bicycle accident attorney stand ready to put our knowledge and abilities to work for you.
Why Choose The Francis Firm as Your Personal Injury Attorney?
The Francis Firm is proud to assist Fort Worth accident victims with their financial recoveries. For over 25 years, we’ve ensured the fair treatment of injured persons, offering them standout legal service and strong representation after catastrophic and life-changing accidents. We recognize that regardless of the severity of your losses, you deserve to recover compensation and are prepared to help in that endeavor.
Our firm routinely recovers settlements and verdicts in excess of hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars. While our prior results do not guarantee a specific outcome for your case, we’re confident that we back what we offer with tried and tested strategies and a comprehensive knowledge of the law.
Michael Francis is among the 2 percent of board-certified personal injury trial attorneys in Texas and has proven himself time and time again as a powerful representative and fierce litigator.
We invite you to learn more about our firm and the services we provide through a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
Bicycle Accidents Are a Growing Concern in Fort Worth
Fort Worth offers many recreational trails for cyclists who prefer to escape the noise and traffic of the United States' 13th largest city. However, for those who rely on bicycles for transportation or commuting, or simply enjoy urban trekking, the road can be a dangerous place. Tarrant County ranks among the top ten most dangerous by number of total bicycle crashes and bike fatalities.
Furthermore, data from the Texas Department of Transportation reveals many concerning statistics about bicycle safety statewide:
- During a six-year period, bicycle accidents totaled 16,807, including 9,768 confirmed injuries and over 360 fatalities.
- Bicycle fatalities account for one in 50 fatal traffic accidents in Texas
- Individuals between 46 and 60 years old account for the most bicycle-related fatalities
- The risk of death more than doubles among cyclists who don’t wear a helmet
- Since 2012, annual fatal accidents increased from 56 to 89 in the last year for which we have data.
Where Do Bicycle Accidents Happen in Fort Worth?
Statistically, more accidents occur in urban areas due to high traffic volume. However, many bike crashes also occur on rural roads surrounding Fort Worth.
Streets that frequently see bicycle accidents include:
- Main Street
- Purple Heart Trail
- Hemphill Street
- East Berry Street
- Interstate 30
Issues related to infrastructure, traffic light systems, or poor road conditions make certain areas in Fort Worth more prone to accidents. However, at the root of most traffic accidents, including bicycle crashes, is driver negligence.
Regardless of where your accident happened, our Fort Worth bicycle accident lawyers at The Francis Firm are close by and able to assist you. Our bicycle accident lawyers work hard to seek justice for those who were injured by the negligent actions of others and will always do our utmost to hold responsible parties accountable for the harm they caused.
Bicycle Law in Fort Worth, Texas
Cyclists in Texas must abide by the same duties and traffic laws as vehicle operators in most conditions. However, a few specific regulations relate directly to bicycles. These include proper maintenance, including functioning brakes, and the use of a headlamp and reflectors when riding at night.
No law requires cyclists to wear helmets. However, they can significantly reduce the chance of a fatality and traumatic brain injuries in an accident.
Generally, bicycles must ride as close to the right hand curb as possible.
However, a bike rider may take the lane when:
- Passing another vehicle moving in the same direction
- Turning left at an intersection or onto a private road or driveway
- Unsafe road conditions, including obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, animals, or surface hazards, such as ice, prevent the person from safely riding next to the curb
- The lane is too narrow (defined as less than 14 feet wide and lacking a designated bike lane) for the cyclist to safely ride side by side next to a motor vehicle
At The Francis Firm, our lawyers know Texas’s bicycling laws and can discern which specific statutes and regulations may apply to your case. In doing so, we can build a compelling claim to seek damages from those responsible for your injuries.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Injured cyclists frequently must contend with severe injuries resulting in long-term costs, extensive recoveries, and potentially life-changing disabilities. Even comparatively minor injuries may require time away from work and will produce substantial medical bills.
Our bicycle accident attorneys understand that when you’re hurt, you need as much support as possible to ensure your best chance of physical and financial recovery.
We frequently aid injured cyclists suffering from:
Broken Bones
Broken, crushed, or fractured bones typically require extensive healing periods, treatment with casts, or reconstructive surgery. Sometimes, a limb with sufficient bone trauma will require amputation, resulting in life-long disability and the necessity of assistive devices or mobility aid for the individual.
Facial and Dental Injuries
Bicycle accidents frequently injure the face and teeth, as even a helmet provides these areas with little protection. Dental injuries can cost thousands of dollars, often requiring reconstruction, implants, or other surgeries. Severe trauma to the face may cause permanent scarring or disfigurement, which can affect an individual’s appearance and well-being for years to come.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Whether a concussion or a severe brain injury with open head trauma, damage to the body’s most vital organ is among the most serious consequences of a bicycle accident. Traumatic brain injuries can result in long-lasting symptoms, with some continuing to experience post-concussion syndrome for months or years. In severe cases, a brain injury will produce life-long cognitive changes or even permanent disabilities.
Road Rash
This condition refers to skin abrasions from contact with pavement or asphalt. As with burns, road rash is categorized by severity. Even mild road rash requires treatment and carries the risk of infection. Severe road rash is a potentially life-threatening emergency and requires immediate medical attention to stabilize.
Cuts, Bruises, and Lacerations
Along with road rash, skin wounds can range from mild to severe. However, based on the relative lack of protection offered by a cyclist’s clothing, most bicycle accidents result in these extremely painful injuries.
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries can produce catastrophic consequences for injury victims. Depending on the specific area affected and its severity, damage to the spine or surrounding nerves can offer a fairly low probability of full recovery. In treatable cases, spinal cord injury victims undergo multiple surgeries and face a long road to recovery before they regain sensation or resume activities as they did before the accident.
Sadly, many spinal cord injury sufferers will not return to life as they did prior to being hurt. They may lose their ability to work. They will require expensive wheelchairs, home and vehicle modifications, and ongoing medical care. They may need attendants to feed, dress, and bathe them for the rest of their lives.
How Much Is My Bicycle Accident Claim Worth?
Your damages after a bike accident likely include more than simply the medical costs associated with your injuries. Now, more than ever, you need someone by your side who can advocate for you and put forth a strong case for restitution for what you lost.
Our Fort Worth bicycle accident lawyers can accounted for all your damages in your claim, including:
- Medical expenses, including current and future treatment costs, medications, surgeries, physical therapy, and rehabilitation
- Property damage, including damage to your bicycle and other valuables affected by the accident
- Lost income, including the loss of earning potential, if you cannot return to your former employment or duties
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment, and other non-economic losses
Fatal Bike Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
Under Texas law, surviving children, parents, and spouses of deceased accident victims may recover damages on behalf of loved ones who lost their lives due to negligence.
If you find yourself in this situation, know that you may pursue justice for the acts that caused your loved one’s passing. Our wrongful death lawyers can file a claim for this purpose to obtain the value of lost income, loss of companionship, emotional anguish, end-of-life costs, and other losses associated with the death.
Our Texas Bicycle Accident Attorneys Are Prepared to Help Your Case
An unexpected accident can bring many challenges and massive disruptions to your life and those of your family and loved ones. Having a strong legal ally who can protect your rights and best interests while you recover is undoubtedly your greatest asset during this time. Our Fort Worth bicycle accident attorneys are prepared to help you take on potential obstacles and shoulder the legal burdens for you.
Investigation and Determining Liability
Your dedicated personal injury attorney will begin by meeting with you, learning more about your accident, and initiating a comprehensive investigation to identify liable parties and gather evidence to support your claim. Our vast resources mean that we’ll never cut corners when it comes to uncovering all relevant facts and documentation to support them. During this time, your attorney will simultaneously create a plan of action to pursue maximum compensation for you.
Negotiation and Litigation Skills
We will take over all negotiations and communications with the insurance company while keeping you informed of your rights and legal options. While we strive to achieve fair settlements through insurance companies whenever possible, our lawyers are skilled trial attorneys who will not hesitate to take liable parties to court if necessary in your situation.
Support and Guidance Throughout the Process
An accident can usher in a confusing and overwhelming period. With The Francis Firm on your team, you can rest assured we will protect your interests at all times. We will always make ourselves available to you as a source of information, support, and legal advice throughout the lifecycle of your case.
Contact The Francis Firm After a Bicycle Accident in Fort Worth
We take your injuries and your rights seriously and believe that you shouldn’t have to wait to take action after an accident upsets your life.
When you contact a bicycle accident attorney at The Francis Firm, you will never pay a dime in upfront costs. Our lawyers handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so you can start getting the legal help you need without putting yourself at financial risk.
However, you may have a limited time to act. Don’t wait to contact our personal injury attorney in Fort Worth and take the first steps toward a positive resolution of your claim.
To learn more about your rights and legal options after a bicycle accident in Fort Worth, TX, contact us at (817) 270-6418 for your free, no-obligation consultation.