Have you suffered critical injuries in a bicycle accident in Melissa, Texas? Are you struggling to cope with what you have been through? If so, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
With help from a Melissa bicycle accident lawyer at Underwood Law Office, you could recover compensation for your damages. We offer free consultations, so you can find out how much your bicycle accident claim could be worth and how a personal injury lawyer can help.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
It is more common than you might think for bicycle accident victims to wonder whether they have grounds for a case. They may assume their injuries are not severe enough to warrant pursuing a bicycle accident lawsuit in Melissa.
However, if your injuries have considerably impacted your life and someone else is responsible for the accident, you could be entitled to financial compensation. With this in mind, you could suffer various injuries in a Melissa bicycle accident. Some possible injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Road rash
- Whiplash
- Paralysis
- Loss of limbs
- Compound fractures
- Broken bones
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal injuries
- Organ failure
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
If you have been diagnosed with one or more of these injuries or another type of injury not listed above after a bicycle accident in Melissa, you may have grounds for a claim.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving Melissa, call (972) 535-6377
Cause and Fault for Bicycle Accidents in Melissa Texas
Figuring out who is responsible for causing your bicycle accident in Melissa will be critical. The cause of your accident will give your attorney a better understanding of who could be liable for your damages. Some of the possible causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Road rage
- Failure to yield
- Failure to stop
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Driving while fatigued
- Defective or malfunctioning auto parts
- Hazardous roadways
Your Melissa bike accident attorney will analyze the cause of your bicycle accident to determine who should be held accountable. For example, suppose someone who was texting and driving caused your collision. Per the Texas Department of Transportation, texting and driving is illegal in Texas, so a texting driver will likely be deemed a negligent at-fault party. In this case, your attorney may file claims with their insurance company and/or a civil lawsuit against them.
However, if dangerous road conditions caused your bicycle accident, several parties could share fault, including:
- Government agencies
- Municipalities
- Safety inspectors
- Contractors and subcontractors
- Government officials
- Other third parties
A thorough investigation of your bicycle accident injuries will uncover which person or persons should be held accountable for your damages.
Melissa Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (972) 535-6377
Texas Shared Fault Laws Could Affect Your Bicycle Accident Compensation
In discussing liability, it is important to consider how Texas shared fault laws could impact your compensation. Texas follows a proportionate responsibility law, per TX Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33.
Also commonly referred to as modified comparative negligence, proportionate responsibility allows injury victims to recover compensation for their damages as long as their portion of fault does not exceed 50%. If your portion of fault is greater than 50%, you will lose your chance to recover compensation for your damages.
If your share of fault for your injuries is more than 0% but less than 50%, you can expect your injury settlement to be reduced in proportion to your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you were not wearing a bicycle helmet at the time of the collision, the judge may find you 20% responsible for your injuries. If the jury awarded you $100,000, this injury settlement would be reduced by 20%, leaving you with $80,000.
If you have questions about how Texas proportionate responsibility laws may impact your Melissa bicycle accident settlement, your attorney can discuss your concerns further.
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How Compensation Works After a Melissa Texas Bicycle Accident
After a bicycle accident in Melissa, you could recover compensation in multiple ways. Texas is a fault state for car accidents and insurance purposes. For example, if a car hit you while you were riding your bike, you may file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company.
However, you may not be able to recover your damages from an insurance settlement alone. Insurance companies may try to avoid paying claims, and they are only required to compensate bicycle accident victims for certain types of losses.
When an insurance settlement isn’t enough to adequately meet your needs, you may want to bring your case to court if you hope to recover fair compensation for your suffering. Your Melissa bike accident lawyer can help you understand your options.
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What Is Your Melissa Bicycle Accident Claim Worth?
After everything you have been through, it makes sense to wonder what your damages could be worth if you choose to move forward with your case. Fortunately, when someone else is at fault for your injuries, they may be compelled to compensate you for how your injuries have affected your life.
With that being said, there are two common categories of losses: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages have fixed financial values and could include:
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Medical expenses
- Loss of household services
- Property damage
Non-economic damages do not have an obvious financial value. Your attorney has to quantify them to ensure they are taken into consideration accordingly. Some examples of non-economic damages you could recover in a Melissa bicycle accident claim include:
- Emotional distress
- Inconvenience
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement and skin scarring
Get Help from a Melissa Texas Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
Although the thought of filing a claim or lawsuit may be overwhelming, with help from a Melissa bicycle accident lawyer at Underwood Law Office, you can get the legal guidance and support you deserve.
Schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation when you call our office or complete our convenient contact form.
Call or text (972) 535-6377 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form