Were you recently hurt in a bicycle accident? If you got into a bicycle accident in Galveston, TX and it wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to damages. This compensation can pay for medical bills, lost wages, and repairing or replacing your bike.
The Galveston bicycle accident lawyers at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers are available to help. Our team has over 58 years of combined experience helping injured people in cases such as Galveston pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, Galveston motorcycle accidents, Galveston car accidents, brain injuries, and more. We know that bike accidents are dangerous. That’s why we fight for our clients to get justice so that others can feel safe while biking around the city.
Our lawyers will craft a personalized legal strategy to recover the money that you deserve. Contact our law office in Galveston, Texas at (409)-207-9299 to set up a free consultation and learn more about our firm and services.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me After a Bike Accident in Galveston, TX?
Hiring a lawyer may be the best decision you make after a bike crash. A Galveston personal injury lawyer can help you file insurance claims and negotiate with the defendant to get you paid. If you can’t reach an agreement, they will file a lawsuit on your behalf. That means you get a dedicated advocate to go to trial and stand up for you in court.
Since 2000, The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers has won many notable settlements for our clients. Mr. Todd is Double Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Our lawyers are also recognized as members of:
- The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- American College of Trial Lawyers
- Top 100 Texas Super Lawyers
- Texas Association of Civil Trial & Appellate Specialists
- International Academy of Trial Lawyers
When you hire us to handle your Galveston bicycle accident case, we will give it the attention you deserve. That means:
- Investigating the cause of the accident
- Finding out who is responsible
- Filing insurance claims and negotiating with insurance (when appropriate)
- Collecting evidence on your behalf
- Calculating your damages
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit and going to trial
There is no one-size-fits-all approach in these types of cases. During your free consultation, we will explain our process, learn about your case, and develop a strategy specifically for you. Call our Galveston personal injury attorneys to set up a time to talk today.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in Texas?
Bicycle accidents are very dangerous. Too often, they are fatal. Since 1975, the number of bicycle accident deaths has quadrupled. In 2021, 961 bicyclists were killed in crashes with cars. Most bicycle accidents tend to happen during 6-9 pm. This makes sense when you consider the rise in people commuting to work via bicycle.
Even in non-fatal instances, a bicycle accident can result in serious injuries. In Texas, from 2010 to 2016, 16,807 crashes involved bicyclists. This caused 9,769 injuries and 362 fatalities. Most of these injuries happened to bikers on city streets.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Unfortunately, bicycle accidents often result in catastrophic and life-altering injuries. Sometimes they result in death.
The most common injuries include:
- Brain injuries
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Road rash
- Burns
- Crushing injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Amputation
We can help you recover compensation no matter how serious your injury is. Our Galveston bicycle accident attorneys will take the time to study your medical records, speak with doctors, and consult experts so that we fully understand your injury. We must know the impact on your daily life and the necessary treatment so that we can accurately calculate your damages.
What Causes Bicycle Accidents?
Sometimes an accident happens at random, but most bicycle accidents are caused by someone’s negligence. Sometimes the biker is at fault, but too often, bicycle accidents happen because of a careless driver on the road.
In Galveston, the main causes of bicycle accidents are:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Debris in the road
- Unsafe lane changes
- Swerving
- Road rage
- Blind spots
- Poor visibility
There may be multiple contributing factors that caused the accident. When you’re hurt in a bike accident, it can be difficult to know what exactly led to the crash. Our lawyers will investigate the cause of the crash so that we are fully prepared to fight your legal case.
What Is the Value of My Galveston Bicycle Accident Case?
The value of your bicycle accident case will depend on the impact on your life. No two bicyclists will receive the same settlement.
Some factors that will affect the value of your case include:
- The severity and permanence of your injury
- The need for ongoing medical treatment
- The impact of your injury on your ability to earn a living
- Emotional and psychological trauma associated with the accident
- Quality of life after the accident
- Value of property damaged in the accident
People who experience permanent and disabling injuries are more likely to recover a higher amount of money than people whose injuries will heal quickly. That’s because they usually need extensive and sometimes lifelong medical care and have a significantly reduced quality of life.
While it is important to know the value of your case for negotiation, we strongly believe that all cases deserve the utmost care and attention. Whether you are seeking $10,000 in damages or $10,000,000, The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers can help.
What Damages Can I Recover After Getting Hurt in a Bicycle Accident in Galveston, Texas?
In Galveston bicycle accident cases, damages fall into two categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are financial losses that you incur because of an accident and injury, such as:
- Medical bills
- Damage to your bicycle
- Lost wages or earning capacity
- Cost of medicine
Non-economic damages are subjective losses – usually called “pain and suffering.” These damages compensate you for the emotional and psychological effects of an accident or injury. They recognize that you are entitled to much more than just reimbursement for medical costs.
Non-economic damages usually include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent disfigurement
- Mental anguish
In certain cases, non-economic damages may be higher than economic damages.
For example, imagine that you are an avid bicyclist and soccer player. You become paralyzed after getting hit by a car. Not only do you incur medical bills, but you also sink into depression. You are unable to work or do the same activities you used to enjoy. You may also be unable to care for your children or carry on relationships in the same manner as before. You deserve payment for all of this.
Who Is Responsible For Damages in a Bicycle Accident Case?
The negligent party is responsible for damages in a bicycle accident case. This may be a driver, another biker, or a pedestrian. In some cases, such as debris or hazards in the road, the city may be responsible.
Ultimately, the case hinges on negligence. To hold someone liable, we must prove that their negligence caused the crash.
Negligence has four elements:
- The defendant had a duty of care
- The defendant breached that duty
- That breach caused your damages
- The amount of your damages
We will collect evidence of negligence throughout your case that can be used during negotiations and in court.
What Should I Do If I Am Blamed For Causing a Bicycle Accident in Galveston?
Unfortunately, bicyclists are often blamed for causing an accident. In Texas, you can still recover money even if you are partially responsible for the crash.
Our state applies a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. If you are more than 50% responsible, you can’t recover anything.
If you are found to be 50% or less at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you are 25% responsible, you can only recover 75% of your total damages. While this isn’t ideal, it is better than some states that prevent you from recovering money if you are even 1% responsible.
How Long Do I Have To File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
You only have two years to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Texas. This time can go by very quickly. Before you file a lawsuit, most lawyers will investigate the case, file an insurance claim, and try to negotiate outside of court.
You don’t want to waste time after a bicycle accident. If you can’t come to an agreement and need to file a lawsuit, you must ensure that you are within the two years. If you miss the deadline, your case will likely be dismissed. That means that you lose your opportunity to pursue legal damages.
Set Up a Free Consultation With the Galveston Bicycle Accident Lawyers At The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers
If you’re ready to speak with a Galveston bicycle accident lawyer, call The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers to set up a free consultation. There are no hidden fees. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us unless we win your case.
There’s no risk in reaching out to learn more about your legal options. Contact us to schedule a time to talk.
Galveston, TX Drug Stores
- Walgreens – 501 61st St, Galveston, TX 77551
- CVS – 2326 61st St, Galveston, TX 77551
- Galveston Broadway Drug – 2027 Broadway Avenue J, Galveston, TX 77550
- CVS Pharmacy – 6128 Broadway St, Galveston, TX 77551
Galveston, TX Emergency Rooms
- Hospitality Health ER – 4222 Seawall Blvd Galveston, TX 77550
- UTMB Health Emergency Room – 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555
*Disclaimer — we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office In Galveston, TX
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers
2101 Mechanic St #253
Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: (409) 207-9299
Business Hours: Open 24 hours daily
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