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hildebrand & wilson, llc

BICYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS IN PEARLAND, TEXAS

From 2010 to 2016, there were 16,807 accidents in Texas involving bicycles. These accidents resulted in 9,769 injuries and 362 fatalities. 11% of cyclists involved in crashes are under the age of 15, and another 13% are between the ages of 16 and 25. The unfortunate reality is that bicycle accidents continue to devastate individuals and families across the state, with nearly one-quarter of the victims being under the age of 25.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a bicycle accident, Hildebrand & Wilson, LLC is here to help support you in your recovery. We are a firm of passionate legal advocates who are committed to doing whatever we can to help accident victims and their families pursue the justice they deserve. Our firm is proud to serve clients in Pearland, Texas, and the surrounding areas of Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi — so call today to schedule your own free case consultation.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

Being hit by a car while riding a bike can be a scary situation. If you ever find yourself in this situation, there are a few steps that you can take to protect yourself and strengthen your case:

  1. Call 911 – Having the police there to file a police report and having medical professionals on-site to do a check-up and take you to the hospital if needed is always a good idea. This can not only strengthen your case, but will also ensure that your health and safety are in good hands.
  2. Record All Personal Information – Get the information of not only the person who hit you with their car but any witnesses on the scene as well. For the driver, you will need their insurance information. For witnesses, their contact information is sufficient. Be sure to ask them if they can stick around to give the police information or if they can be contacted later on.
  3. Document The Details – If you can, take photos of any damage that has occurred. This includes damage to your bicycle, to the car (if applicable), and to yourself.
  4. Seek Medical Treatment – Even if you feel fine, have a doctor check you out. You never know what injuries could be deemed serious by a medical professional. When it comes to your health, it is always better to err on the side of caution.
  5. Hire A Personal Injury Attorney – In the aftermath of the accident, hiring a personal injury attorney to assess your case and discuss your legal options with you is the best way to figure out how best to proceed with your case.

Texas Laws Affecting Bicycle Riders

According to the Texas Transport Code, bicycle riders are entitled to all of the rights and are equally obligated to all of the duties of the road that apply to motor vehicles. They are not required to wear a helmet statewide, but many cities and municipalities do have their own helmet mandates, so it’s important to be aware of your local laws and how they apply to you. With that in mind, here are a few other laws that are important for cyclists to be aware of:

  • Bicyclists must ride on the right side of the road, as close to the curb as possible, except when safely passing a vehicle or turning left.
  • Bicyclists cannot ride on the sidewalk.
  • Bicyclists have to use arm signals when turning.
  • Bicyclists must have a white light on the front and a red reflector or red light on the rear of their bicycle when riding at night.
  • A person may not use a bicycle to carry more people than the bicycle is designed or equipped to carry.
  • A person operating a bicycle may not carry any object that prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.

Filing a Claim

When it comes to filing a personal injury claim, there are three important Texas statutes that all riders should be aware of:

Texas is Considered an At-Fault State

Texas is considered an at-fault state. This means that whoever was responsible for causing the accident can be held liable for any injuries or damages suffered by the victim. This includes expenses such as medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and more.

Modified Comparative Fault Rule

When it comes to figuring out fault and damages owed, Texas does follow the modified comparative fault rule. This means that a percentage of fault will be assigned to all parties involved in the accident. The damages you can recover will be reduced by the percentage of fault that you are assigned for the accident. If the court rules that you are over 50% at fault for the accident, you will be unable to recover any compensation.

For example, if you are involved in a bicycle accident, but the court rules that you are 20% at fault for the accident because your bicycle did not have a red reflector on the rear, your total compensation will be reduced by 20% to account for your level of fault. This means that if the court awards you $100,000 in compensation, you will only be eligible to collect $80,000.

Statute of Limitations

For a personal injury case, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident, unless you are suing the government. In that case, the statute of limitations is six months after the injury occurs. It’s important to note that the clock begins ticking from the date of the accident, not from the date you discovered your injuries or began receiving treatment.

BICYCLE ACCIDENTS ATTORNEYS SERVING PEARLAND, TEXAS

At the end of the day, you deserve trusted legal guidance for your personal injury claim. Navigating a personal injury claim may seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to face this challenge alone. Our firm, Hildebrand & Wilson, LLC, is proud to help injured clients and their families pursue the compensation they need and deserve. Our firm proudly serves clients in Pearland, Texas, and the surrounding areas of Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi. Call today to set up your own free consultation!

Practice areas

Pay Nothing Unless We Win

marsha harris

May 04, 2024

I chose Hildebrand and Wilson for the location, and it was the best decision I could've made. The entire law firm especially Dan Wilson was so thorough and informative. The communication was excellent. I knew where my case was at every stage. highly recommend Hildebrand and Wilson. Very professional.

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High tech

We utilize state-of-the-art presentations and technology to help insurance companies, opposing counsel, and juries better understand our client’s case and injuries, thereby maximizing the value of the cases.

Trusted

Because of our record and reputation in courtroom battles, we are often called upon by other attorneys to assist them with especially challenging litigation. We invest an immense amount of energy and our own capital in each case to successfully combat large, well-represented opponents.

Compassionate

Having dealt with a wide variety of cases, we know how to sensitively and compassionately help clients through their troubles. Allow us to guide you through the often complicated legal process.

Houston

Pearland

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Tyler

Marshall

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Houston

Pearland

Conroe

Dallas

Austin

San Antonio

Corpus Christi

Beaumont

Tyler

Marshall

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Victoria

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Personal Injury

frequently asked questions

Do I need to hire and attorney?

The best way to answer this question is to give us a call. After getting the details about your situation we can help determine if hiring an attorney brings value to your claim, and if not, we will explain how to go about pursuing the claim on your own.

Can I do better on my own without hiring an attorney?

In certain situations, we do not add value to your claim and we will let you know if that is the case. While hiring us would almost certainly help you get the best value on your case, it may not result in more money in your pocket after paying the associated fees and expenses. Nonetheless, sometimes clients would rather their claim be handled by an experienced attorney to avoid the frustrations and difficulties that come with dealing with insurance companies.

Should I talk to the insurance company?

It is always best to consult with an attorney before communicating with the insurance company. However, if you do communicate with the insurance company do not give a recorded statement or make definitive comments regarding your physical condition unless you are certain that you have not been injured as sometimes it may take multiple days for your injuries to fully manifest.

How long will this take?

The length of time to resolve a case is affected mostly by the time it takes the client to return to their pre-accident physical condition. After the client has finished treating, we collect the medical records and bills in preparation to negotiate. The case is then negotiated and either resolves or enters litigation (filing of a lawsuit). The time it takes to litigate cases varies but usually takes between one and two years.

Is my case worth it?

Yes, if you are injured as a result of another person's or entity's negligence it is always worth pursuing a claim.

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Houston

Pearland

Conroe

Dallas

Austin

San Antonio

Corpus Christi

Beaumont

Tyler

Marshall

Angleton

Victoria

Brenham

Houston

Pearland

Conroe

Dallas

Austin

San Antonio

Corpus Christi

Beaumont

Tyler

Marshall

Angleton

Victoria

Brenham