From Baylor students commuting to class by bicycle to world-class mountain bikers hitting the trails around Cameron Park, cycling is a popular mode of transportation and recreation around Waco. Unfortunately, an unexpected accident could end a cyclists’ ability to ride around town.
If you were injured in a collision while riding your bike, a seasoned personal injury attorney can help you seek compensation from the parties who caused the crash. A Waco bicycle accident lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and provide guidance about how to proceed.
Collisions between bicycles and motor vehicles often happen because the driver was inattentive, navigating while distracted or impaired, or driving recklessly. Drivers become responsible for any injuries they cause when they do not operate their vehicle with sufficient caution.
Meanwhile, sometimes bicycle accidents are caused by other factors besides a motorists’ careless driving. For instance, a mechanical problem with a vehicle or a bicycle sometimes contributes to wreck. When this happens, the manufacturer of the defective product might have to assume liability. In other cases, a local government might face responsibility if poor road or trail maintenance caused a cyclist to crash.
Sometimes, the cyclist’s own negligence could contribute to a collision. If this happens, the plaintiff might collect less compensation than they normally would. A diligent attorney in Waco can investigate the cause of a severe bicycle accident to determine who needs to assume financial responsibility.
If someone wants to collect monetary damages after a bicycle collision, they usually need to demonstrate that the defendant’s negligent or reckless behavior caused the crash. Financial compensation is usually substantial and could help an injured cyclist recover from their setbacks.
For example, the severe injuries associated with a cycling crash typically require medical care, and damages could reimburse for emergency treatment, rehabilitation expenses, ongoing doctor’s attention, and projected future medical expenses. Compensation could also include repayment for lost wages, diminished income, and reduced future earning capacity.
Damages also frequently compensate for the subjective impacts of a severe injury. The Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §41.001(12) defines the non-economic losses that compensation might cover. Depending on the circumstances, an injured cyclist could collect damages for the psychological impact of the crash, the physical pain they experienced, and any reduced quality of life due to scarring, disability, or loss of companionship.
A compassionate lawyer in Waco can help an injured cyclist pursue damages that account for the economic and non-economic losses of their accident.
State laws establish that an injured plaintiff must file their bicycle accident claim within two years of the injury. Anyone who does not submit their lawsuit within that timeframe loses their right to act and weakens their negotiating position. If a plaintiff seeks assistance promptly, a proactive lawyer could use the threat of a lawsuit to persuade negligent parties to offer an appropriate settlement.
When a local government is a potential defendant, the time to act is shortened. In these situations, an injured cyclist must file their claim within six months of the accident. If the city directly caused the collision, the wounded plaintiff must submit their claim notice almost immediately— within 30 days of their injury.
A hardworking attorney in Waco can help the victim of an unexpected bicycle accident file their claim early and avoid procedural complications.
A severe bicycle accident could leave any individual physically and emotionally traumatized. If you were involved in one of these collisions, it might take considerable time to regain your health.
Fortunately, a Waco bicycle accident lawyer can handle the more stressful aspects of your case, including investigating the crash, identifying who is responsible, and engaging in settlement negotiations. The sooner a legal representative can get to work building your case, the higher the chances of a favorable outcome. Reach out to the office today to schedule a consultation.