Bicycle and pedestrian accidents are among the most devastating incidents reported in Texas. When you get hit by a negligent driver, you may have several questions about your claim, like whether you should hire a Grapevine cycling and pedestrian accident lawyer for your case. At the Francis Firm, our attorneys represent clients injured in these accidents and can answer any questions you may have.
How Are Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents Similar?
While they may seem different at first, bicycle and pedestrian accidents have a lot in common. First, both accidents have a high risk of injury due to the lack of protection. Whether you’re walking down the street or pedaling in a bike lane, there’s nothing standing between you and a car. If a negligent driver hits you, the resulting injuries are usually serious.
Second, both types of accidents are more likely to result in death than a standard car accident. Again, this has to do with the sheer size and force of a car impacting the human body.
According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 80% of pedestrians hit by a car traveling at a speed of 40 miles per hour die from the impact. This means even low-speed collisions may lead to severe injuries or death.
With these facts in mind, it’s imperative you seek the assistance of a personal injury lawyer in Grapevine if you sustain an injury. The likelihood of the injury resulting in permanent disability is too high to risk pursuing the claim on your own. This also goes for cycling victims, who may also want to consider retaining an experienced Grapevine bicycle accident attorney.
Bicycle Injury Statistics
Every year, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) releases statistics on accidents, including those that involve bicycles. In 2020, there were more than 2,188 bicycles involved in an accident. Nearly 85% of these bicycle accidents happened in an urban area, while 15% occurred in a rural area. Although accidents involving bicycles accounted for less than 1% of all crashes, 9 out of 10 bicycle accidents had a reported injury or fatality.
Pedestrian Injury Statistics
When it comes to pedestrian injury statistics for Texas, the situation is more dire. According to TxDOT, there were more than 5,000 incidents involving pedestrians in 2020. Approximately 96% of all pedestrian accidents resulted in an injury. In addition, around two out of five of those accidents had a serious injury or fatality. This makes pedestrian accidents one of the most deadly accident types in the state of Texas.
Common Injuries in Both Accident Types
Due to the lack of sufficient protection from blunt force trauma, pedestrian and bicycle accidents result in similar injuries. While a few escape with only a few scrapes and bruises, many more receive more serious damage, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Fractures
- Lacerations
- Internal bleeding or organ damage.
Since Texas has no bicycle helmet law, it’s still possible to pursue compensation for your injuries even if you weren’t wearing a helmet. However, we highly recommend wearing head protection whenever you go cycling. It’s often the difference between life and death.
The Role of Negligence in Your Claim
In some states, if the jury finds you partially responsible for your injuries, you can’t recover anything. Thankfully, this isn’t the case in Texas. Instead, the state follows a modified form of comparative negligence. This means that if your share of fault does not equate to or exceed 51%, you may still receive compensation.
However, the court reduces the award by your share of negligence. For example, if you have $1 million in damages, but the jury finds you 25% at fault for your injuries, you may receive only $750,000. This is why it’s important to reach out to a Grapevine bicycle and pedestrian accident attorney even if you think you’re somewhat responsible.
What to Do After a Bicycle or Pedestrian Accident
Following an accident, there are a few steps you can take to protect your rights. These actions not only help preserve your claim, but they also give your Grapevine bicycle accident lawyer the information needed to build your case. After an accident, make sure to:
- Seek medical attention immediately—Your safety should be your number one priority. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, get checked by emergency responders.
- Take pictures of the scene—If it’s safe to do so, try to take pictures of vehicle damage, injuries, road conditions, etc. These details help recreate the events leading up to the accident.
- Get contact information from the driver, witnesses, etc.—Make sure to ask for insurance information from the driver that hit you. If there are any witnesses, ask if they’d be willing to give a statement and write down their contact information.
- Contact a knowledgeable Grapevine pedestrian accident attorney—Once you have received medical treatment, hire a skilled personal injury attorney and ask them to evaluate your case. At the Francis Firm, we are available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have.
By following these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to establishing a claim. However, if you need help finding evidence or communicating with the insurance company, we’re here to help.
Contact a Grapevine Bicycle and Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
When you get into a pedestrian or bicycle accident, you need an attorney with the knowledge necessary to take on the insurance company. At the Francis Firm, our helpful Grapevine bicycle lawyer or pedestrian lawyer have almost 50 years of experience representing cases all over Texas. We firmly believe in our one-on-one approach that puts the client’s needs first.
Whether you need help gathering information, finding medical treatment, negotiating a settlement, or taking your case to trial, we’re there every step of the way. Our goal is to help get you the maximum possible compensation for your case so you can focus on recovery.
To schedule a free consultation with a Grapevine bike accident lawyer, contact us online or give us a call at 817-329-9001. We'll discuss your legal options based on the facts of your case.