San Antonio Bicycle Accident Lawyer

According to Texas and San Antonio rules, bicycle riders are entitled to share the road with other vehicles. Unfortunately, every year, there are far too many accidents involving bicyclists – upwards of 30,000 of them every year – and most of them involve motor vehicles. Worse, as we all know, most of the drivers in such accidents occur due to the negligence of the motor vehicle driver. Too often, bicycle accidents occur when drivers don’t check their blind spot before changing lanes or turning, which means they often turn directly in front of the bicycle or sideswipe them carelessly. Thousands of cyclists every year suffer a serious injury when a driver fails to pay proper attention to what they’re doing. Of course, with incidents of distracted driving on the increase both nationally and in Texas, this problem is getting worse. Fortunately, our San Antonio bicycle accident lawyer can help.

San Antonio Bicycle Accident Resources

To immediately access the resources at any point on this page, click the corresponding link below.

Choosing the Best Attorney for Your Case
Why Hire a San Antonio Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
Recovering Damages After a Bicycle Accident
Bicycle Accidents Are Preventable
Bicycle Crashes Are Usually Tragic
Who is at Fault in a Bicycle Accident in Texas?
Top 10 Bicycle-Motor Vehicle Accident Causes
Bicycle Accident Statistics
Age & Alcohol Involvement in Bicycle Crashes
Speak to an Attorney Today

Choosing the Best Attorney for Your Case

When hiring an attorney for your bicycle accident case, you don’t want to hire just any lawyer. The lawyer you work with should be experienced in personal injury and have a track record of success. That’s why the bicycle accident attorneys at Hill Law Firm Accident and Injury Lawyers are the right choice. Our bicycle and car accident law firm in San Antonio Texas has a track record of success in the courtroom, with clients, and we have been recognized for our excellence by our legal peers. Over the years, we have recovered millions of dollars in damages for our past clients. While no two cases are the same, this track record speaks to our tenacity and dedication to helping our clients get the best possible outcome for their situation.

Hill Law Firm Accident and Injury Lawyers Fight for You

Working with Hill Law Firm Accident and Injury Lawyers means that you will have an attorney on your side who is ready to fight for your rights. We will fiercely negotiate to get you the best possible settlement and should your case be escalated to litigation, our lawyers will not shy away from the opportunity to win your case. We are zealous advocates for our clients.

Why Hire a San Antonio Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, your injuries can range from minor to serious. Depending on your specific circumstances you may need time off of work, medical assistance or surgery, additional help, and other accommodations. However, all of these things cost money, and if you’re out of work due to the accident, this can add even more stress to your situation. This is where a bicycle accident lawyer can help you to get the compensation you need and deserve. So how can we help?

We provide: 

• In-depth knowledge of the law and how bicycle accident cases work in Texas
• Clear and direct communication so you always stay in the know
• Honest and fair feedback on your case
• Experienced and trustworthy lawyers

We Can Help You Win Damages to Cover the Cost of Your Injury

Our lawyers are exceptionally skilled in gaining compensation for victims of bicycle accidents. Whether you brake a bone or are permanently disabled from the accident, we know how to build a solid case to win you damages to cover the cost of your injury. Some common bicycle accident injuries include

• Broken bones
• Lacerations
• Head or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Neck and back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• And many more

Any of these injuries can cause you to need medical attention or surgeries and require time off of work. If this is the case you deserve to be compensated for your injury and medical needs so that you can focus on healing. 

We Represent You and Can Negotiate Fair Settlements

Dealing with insurance on your own can be intimidating, and insurance companies will often offer you settlements that are much lower than what you deserve. When you work with an attorney, you stand a much better chance of getting a fair settlement that will cover all your costs. Our attorneys will speak with the insurance companies on your behalf and dutifully guide you through the process. We will walk you through every step so that you are fully aware of what is happening in your case. 

Additionally, we will leverage our connections in the community to obtain evidence and police reports, and find vital witnesses that can be of use in your case. While it’s important to note that the majority of personal injury cases are handled outside of court and end in settlements, especially if you work with an experienced lawyer. If you work with us, we are in it for the long haul and will diligently fight on your behalf. 

Can I Recover Damages in a San Antonio Bicycle Accident?

In short, yes, you can recover damages from a bicycle accident in San Antonio. However, the amount of compensation you can recover depends on the type and severity of your injuries. 

The two main types of damages available to bicycle accident victims are economic and non-economic damages. In some rare cases, punitive damages may also be awarded.  

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover losses caused by accidents that are easily quantifiable. These damages are meant to cover any out-of-pocket expenses that victims have had to pay for that were directly caused by the accident. 

Some examples of losses these damages cover include: 

• Medical expenses
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Household services
• Lost earning capacity

Non-economic Damages

Non-economic damages cover losses caused by the accident that are not explicitly or easily quantifiable. These losses are not inherently monetary in nature but can affect one’s ability to make money. 

Some examples of losses these damages cover include:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Physical pain and discomfort
• Mental anguish and trauma
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Disabilities and impairments (both temporary and permanent)

Punitive Damages

In certain cases, punitive damages may be awarded. Punitive damages differ from economic and non-economic damages because the purpose of punitive damages is to punish the wrongdoer, whereas the other damages are meant to compensate victims in an attempt to make them feel whole. 

Punitive damages are awarded in cases where the offender acts in an especially reckless or careless manner. Actions such as drunk driving or road rage are examples of actions that may warrant punitive damages, depending on the injuries the victim suffers. 

Bicycle Accidents Are Preventable

Bicyclists should take precautions of course, and do everything they can to stay as safe as possible. For example, they should always keep in mind that Texas traffic laws apply to bicycle riders, as well as motor vehicles. However, the San Antonio bicycle accident lawyer at Hill Law Firm recommends they take additional precautions, given their exposure on the road:

• Bicyclists should maximize their visibility by wearing brightly colored clothing whenever possible;
• Bicyclists should never ride at night when they don’t have to;
• Also, when bicyclists have to ride at dawn or dusk, they should use a light on the front and a reflector or flashing red light on their rear, to give their bicycle maximum visibility;
• While riding a bicycle in traffic, never use headphones;
• Along the same lines, don’t use your cell phone while riding, even with a hands-free device, like a set of headphones. If you have to make or receive a call, pull safely off the road and stop.
• At intersections, always assume opposing traffic can’t see you and wait until they are fully stopped before continuing on your way.
• Always ride with traffic, never against.
• Ride in bike lanes wherever possible.
• Most importantly, when riding, always wear a properly fitted helmet. Helmets not only save lives, but they also prevent many serious injuries.

Bicycle Accidents Are Usually Tragic

No matter what precautions you take, sometimes an accident happens anyway. And because bicyclists are more exposed than the drivers and passengers in motor vehicles, the injuries are usually much worse, even if the crash doesn’t result in death. Often, bicyclists suffer head injuries, including traumatic brain injury or closed-head injury, which happens when the brain suffers a severe impact. Bicyclists who have suffered a brain injury may experience any of a number of symptoms, including an inability to focus, headaches, changes in personality or a diminished energy level, as well as fatigue, dizziness and nausea. Therefore, anyone who is in a bicycle accident should see a doctor immediately if any of these symptoms are present.

Of course, after they see a doctor and begin treatment, they should then see an attorney to help them through the system. A San Antonio personal injury lawyer knows the law in Texas protects the rights of bicyclists who use the road safely, so it is very important that the injured accident victim get the help of an attorney who knows the system. There are many factors that go into a bicycle accident case, which means it is necessary to conduct a thorough investigation of all circumstances of the accident. It is important to do that as soon as possible, in order to determine who may be at fault. Usually, it’s the vehicle driver’s fault, but not in every case. In many cases, there may be multiple parties at fault. For example, of the bicycle was defective, the manufacturer or the seller may be at fault. Perhaps the repair shop made an error when it came to maintenance. In some cases, the municipality or other government agency is responsible for not maintaining the roads properly.

Who is at Fault in a Bicycle Accident in Texas?

When there is a collision between a bicycle and a motor vehicle, either party can be at fault, and sometimes both parties can share the blame. Determining who is at fault for the accident depends on who’s actions, or lack thereof caused the accident. This is known as negligence, or the failure to take proper care. 

In many cases, cyclists are injured by negligent drivers. Common reasons motorists cause bike accidents include:

• Failure to properly check for cyclists before turning or switching lanes
• Distracted driving (texting, eating, paying attention to other passengers)
• Speeding
• Impaired driving
• Running a stop sign or red light
• And more

However, cyclists can also be at fault for the collision if they act in negligent ways. Commons reasons cyclists cause collisions include:

• Failure to give a proper hand signal for a turn
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Lack of proper visibility equipment (lights on bike, reflectors on bike and clothing)
• Failure to observe laws (like riding through a stop sign or red light)
• And more

Determining who is at fault, or the degree at which either party is at fault will take some time and investigation. In Texas, bicyclists can still recover compensation, even if they are found to be partially at fault. However, if they are found to be 51% or more at fault, they cannot receive any damages. If they are found to be 50% or less at fault, they may obtain compensation, but it will be reduced by the degree to which they are found responsible. 

Top 10 Bicycle-Motor Vehicle Accident Causes: Awareness is the Most Important Element

Bicycle safety and road awareness go hand-in-hand. When anyone is learning to ride a bicycle they are taught some fundamental aspects of biking safety. Typically, these include instructions to be aware of your surroundings, pay attention to other motorists, wear a helmet, wear bright clothing and to not bike at night without some sort of reflective gear or lights. Further, cities are becoming much more bicycle friendly and many provide dedicated paths for cyclists. In spite of all these great efforts to increase biking safety, it is not always enough.

A factor in many bicycle accidents is other motorists, motorcyclists, and commercial motor vehicles. When people get their licenses to drive motor vehicles they are not given much instruction regarding bicyclists on the roadway other than to be aware and share the road with the cyclists. That information has clearly proven to be insufficient.

In Texas, in 2011, there were forty-seven cyclist fatalities–a 9.3% increase from 2010. In an attempt to lower the number of fatalities and injuries to cyclists the State of Texas has taken up campaigns to remind motorists to share the road and be aware of cyclists. By learning the causes of these accidents many may be avoided. Some of the most common causes of cycling accidents include:

• Cyclists coasting through stop signs or red lights instead of coming to a complete stop;
• Motorists turning in front of cyclists;
• Cyclists riding the wrong way;
• Motorists pulling out in front of cyclists from driveways, parking spots, or roads;
• Motorists running red lights and/or stop signs;
• Cyclists entering live lanes of traffic without looking both ways;
• Cyclists making sudden turns or swerves without checking to their left;
• Motorists impaired by drugs or alcohol;
• Cyclists hitting debris or loads that have fallen from vehicles; and
• Simple driver inattention to the others on the roadway.

When motor vehicles and cyclists are involved in accidents, it is often the cyclists that suffer serious catastrophic injuries if they survive. It is for that reason that motorists must be very careful to pay attention and share the roadway. Cyclists also must ride fully aware of their surroundings and obey the rules of the road.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

At a national level, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2017, 1,024 individuals were killed in pedal-cyclist crashes (including riders of two-wheel, nonmotorized vehicles, tricycles, and unicycles powered solely by pedals).

Out of the 1,024 fatalities, 57 were Texans.

The following chart shows the total number of bicycle crashes that have happened in Texas in the year 2017, categorized by the type of injury:

Age & Alcohol Involvement in Bicycle Crashes

Aside from car crashes involving a DUI, unfortunately, drunk driving accidents happen to bicycle riders as well.

The table below shows the relationship between Age, Alcohol Use, and Bicycle Crashes across the United States for the year 2016.

As can be seen, fatality rates are highest among people in the two age groups 45-54 and 55-64 with 168 and 193 fatalities respectively.

*Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2016

Alcohol use is counted if either party involved in the crash had alcohol in their blood. With 26% of crashes involving alcohol, this is an issue that certainly needs more attention from the public.

Contact an Experienced San Antonio Bicycle Accident Lawyer

That is why the Hill Law Firm Accident and Injury Lawyers is here. Our San Antonio bicycle accident lawyer knows and understands the laws concerning bicycle accidents and his team will conduct an investigation that will uncover all possibly negligent parties in yours. Hill Law Firm Accident and Injury Lawyers is experienced in helping those injured or killed in biking accidents. Biking accidents are often caused by other drivers failing to pay attention and properly share the road with those cycling. When biking accidents happen, the victims and their families are often in need of proven experienced lawyers to stand up for their rights against insurance companies, other drivers, and those standing in the way of justice.

The Texas Bicycle Accident Lawyer at Hill Law Firm not only has experience handling accidents involving bicyclists and vehicles, they also have spent years riding bicycles themselves, in fact, members ofHill Law Firm Accident and Injury Lawyers have competed in bicycle races at various points in their lives, and they have spent considerable time riding for recreation and have seen the dangers associated with sharing the road for themselves. If you’ve been injured, or have lost a loved one in a biking accident, please contact the San Antonio bicycle accident lawyer at Hill Law Firm today for a free case evaluation.