Rockwall Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycling accidents can cause significant injuries that may prevent you from working or participating in activities you enjoy for an extended period of time, or even for the rest of your life. When another party’s negligence caused the incident, you could seek compensation for all of the losses you suffered.

Speak with a Rockwall bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after your bike crash. Our dedicated injury attorneys could evaluate the circumstances surrounding your injuries and recommend a legal strategy to obtain the financial recovery you deserve.

Even Low-Speed Crashes Could Cause Significant Injuries

Cyclists are completely unprotected when they ride, and if another vehicle, another cyclist, a tree, the ground, or another obstruction forcefully collides with them, their body absorbs the blow. It is no wonder that cycling accidents can seem minor on the surface, yet still cause a cyclist severe or even permanent harm. Multiple factors determine the extent of a cyclist’s injuries, including the speed of the bike, the speed of the other vehicle (if one was involved), the condition of the road or ground the cyclist fell on, and the cyclist’s clothing. The following list is not comprehensive, but common injuries bicycle riders sustain after a crash include:

Soft tissue injuries
Fractures, especially of the wrist, elbow, collarbone, shoulder, and ankle
Friction burns and abrasions to the skin (road rash)
Neck hyperextension (whiplash)
Facial injuries
Skull fractures
Traumatic brain injury
Spinal cord injury

Helmet Safety and Liability

The state of Texas does not require cyclists to wear helmets, but a Rockwall bicycle wreck attorney would recommend it. If a cyclist who was not wearing a helmet suffered an injury that a helmet might have prevented, a potentially responsible party could argue the injury was the cyclist’s fault. If a jury accepted such an argument, it could reduce or completely eliminate the damages the cyclist could have collected. Taking all reasonable safety precautions helps ensure a biker can collect damages for all their injuries.

Who Is Liable for a Cyclist’s Injuries?

Any party whose negligence contributed to a cycling wreck could be liable to pay at least part of a cyclist’s damages after an accident. Frequently, the negligent party is a motorist who caused or contributed to a bicycle collision by failing to be attentive or driving recklessly while sharing the road with a cyclist. The manufacturer of a mechanical part that failed could be liable for a person’s injuries if the failure led to a bike crash. A local government agency could be responsible if poor road or trail conditions caused or contributed to the wreck. A knowledgeable bicycle collision lawyer in Rockwall is adept at identifying circumstances that could indicate legal negligence. Bringing claims against all the potentially responsible parties enhances the likelihood that a cyclist could obtain a settlement providing reasonable compensation for all their damages.

Timeframes Applicable to Rockwall Cycling Injury Lawsuits

Injured people have limited time to bring lawsuits seeking damages. In most cases, Texas allows adults two years from the date of their cycling accident to bring a lawsuit. In the rare circumstance that an accident caused an injury or condition that was not discovered immediately, the two-year period starts on the date the cyclist learned or should have learned of the connection between the condition and the wreck. If a child suffers an injury in a bicycle crash, a parent of the child could bring a lawsuit on the child’s behalf. If the parent files the suit, they must do so within two years of the injury. However, if the parent does not bring a lawsuit, the child has two years from the date of their 18th birthday to pursue a legal claim.

When a local government is potentially responsible for the accident, an injured person must act quickly. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §101.101 requires anyone seeking to hold a local government liable for their damages to file a notice of claim within six months of the incident. However, municipalities are permitted to set their own notice requirements, so a detailed search of each potentially responsible municipal entities rules should be ascertained as soon as possible after an injury occurs to ensure timely notice is being given. A diligent Rockwall bike crash attorney could preserve an injured cyclist’s right to sue any responsible parties by submitting all filings and notices in a timely manner.

Rely on a Rockwall Bicycle Accident Attorney to Help Pursue Damages

Cycling accidents often require long recovery periods. While you heal your physical and psychological injuries, let an experienced legal professional handle the business of seeking fair financial awards for your injuries. A Rockwall bicycle accident lawyer could ensure any party responsible for your harm is held accountable. Reach out today to speak with a loyal legal advocate at our firm.