Houston Bicycle Accident Attorney

Is it worth it to hire an accident attorney?

The aftermath of a bicycle accident is no time to try to go it alone. Without quality legal representation, injured cyclists find themselves at a severe disadvantage when dealing with insurance companies and at-fault drivers. Here's how the dedicated team at Calderon Law Firm can transform your recovery journey:

1. We give you space to heal. While you focus on your physical and emotional recovery, we handle the legal processes, insurance paperwork, and settlement negotiations that would otherwise get in the way of your recovery.

2. We build a strong case. Bicycle accidents often require extensive investigation. We collect and preserve crucial evidence, including traffic camera footage, witness statements, road conditions documentation, and expert accident reconstruction when necessary to establish liability.

3. We stand up to insurance companies. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, especially to cyclists. They may try to blame you or downplay your injuries. We know their tactics and counter them with real evidence and aggressive negotiation strategies.

4. We handle all medical coordination. Our established network of trusted medical providers helps make sure you get proper diagnosis and treatment for cycling-specific injuries. We also coordinate with your healthcare team to document how your injuries impact your quality of life.

5. We accurately calculate your full damages. Beyond immediate medical bills, we account for long-term care needs, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, bicycle replacement costs, and the often substantial pain and suffering that accompany cycling accidents.

At Calderon Law Firm, your bicycle accident case isn't just another file — it's personal. We understand that cyclists are among Houston's most vulnerable road users, and we're committed to helping you secure the justice and compensation you deserve.

Who is usually at fault if a bicycle is involved in an accident?

Fault in bicycle accidents isn’t always clear-cut, but motorists are frequently at fault when they fail to share the road safely with cyclists. Common driver-caused accidents include:

• Doorings (opening car doors into a cyclist's path)

• Right-hook collisions (turning right across a cyclist's path)

• Failure to yield at intersections

• Distracted driving leading to rear-end collisions

• Aggressive passing or failing to give cyclists adequate space

Cyclists themselves can contribute to accidents through behaviors like riding against traffic, ignoring traffic signals, or cycling without proper lighting at night. However, because of Texas comparative negligence laws, cyclists may still recover damages when they bear some responsibility, as long as they’re not more than 50% responsible for their accident. 

This is important to note because insurance companies often attempt to shift blame to cyclists, even when evidence suggests otherwise. This makes hiring an experienced lawyer essential for protecting your rights and ensuring fault is properly assigned based on evidence rather than bias against cyclists.

Common bicycle accident injuries

Because cyclists are more vulnerable than motorists of all kinds, bicycle accidents often lead to particularly severe injuries. It’s not uncommon for bicycle accident claims to lead to extensive damages for long-term care, or even wrongful death claims. 

At Calderon Law Firm, we can help cyclists recover compensation for a wide range of bike accident injuries, including:

• Road rash and soft tissue injuries. What might appear as "just scrapes" can develop into serious infections, nerve damage, or permanent scarring when road debris embeds in skin. Proper medical documentation of these injuries is essential for fair compensation.

• Broken bones and fractures. Cyclists frequently suffer complex fractures that require surgical intervention, metal plates or screws, and extended physical therapy. Collar bones, wrists, and femurs are particularly vulnerable in cycling accidents.

• Traumatic brain injuries. Even with helmet use, cyclists can suffer concussions or more severe brain trauma that may affect cognitive function, memory, and emotional regulation. These injuries often require extensive rehabilitation and can have lifelong consequences.

• Spinal cord damage. Falls or direct impacts can cause vertebral fractures, disk damage, or in severe cases, partial or complete paralysis. Recovery may involve multiple surgeries, specialized equipment, and ongoing care.

• Internal injuries. Blunt force trauma can cause internal bleeding or damage to organs that might not be immediately apparent after an accident, but can become life-threatening without prompt treatment. If you’re experiencing chest pain after a car accident, never ignore it. 

• Psychological trauma. Cyclists often develop anxiety, PTSD, or depression following serious accidents, especially when their ability to return to cycling is compromised. Mental health support is an integral but often ignored part of your complete recovery.

As you can see, bicycle accident injuries often result in substantial medical expenses, extended time away from work, and a significant impact on your quality of life. The bicycle accident attorneys at Calderon Law Firm can help ensure all these impacts are properly documented and factored into your compensation claim and fight for you to get what you really deserve. 

What are the Texas laws on bike accidents?

After a bike accident in Texas, there are a number of laws that your attorney should be intimately familiar with. Some of the most important laws that govern the rights and responsibilities of motorists and cyclists in Houston are laid out in the table below. 

How much is compensation for a cycling accident?

Every bicycle accident case is unique, and compensation varies widely based on specific circumstances. At Calderon Law Firm, we evaluate each claim individually, considering numerous factors to determine fair compensation. While we can't provide an exact figure without reviewing your case, several key elements typically influence settlement or verdict amounts:

• Medical expenses. Compensation should cover all accident-related medical care, including emergency treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, specialized equipment, and anticipated future medical needs related to your injuries.

• Lost income. If your injuries prevent you from working, you deserve compensation for lost wages. For more serious injuries causing long-term disability, damages may include diminished earning capacity throughout your career.

• Property damage. Beyond medical and income considerations, you're entitled to compensation for your damaged bicycle, cycling gear, electronics, or other personal property affected by the accident.

• Pain and suffering. Physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life represent real damages deserving compensation. These non-economic damages often constitute a significant portion of bicycle accident settlements.

• Permanent disability or disfigurement. Life-altering injuries resulting in permanent limitations or visible scarring typically warrant additional compensation reflecting these profound impacts.

The value of your claim will depend on factors including the severity of your injuries, clarity of liability, insurance policy limits, your personal circumstances, and the quality of your legal representation. 

Insurance companies typically offer lowball initial settlements that fall far short of covering long-term impacts, so make sure you have a Houston personal injury lawyer who is used to standing up to them and winning bike accident claims.  

Steps for bicycle accident victims after an accident

The actions you take immediately following your bicycle accident can significantly impact both your long-term recovery and your ability to secure fair compensation for your injuries. If you've been involved in a cycling accident in Houston, follow these steps to protect yourself:

1. Prioritize safety and medical treatment.
   Move to a safe location if possible and call 911 immediately. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, seek medical attention promptly — some serious injuries may not show symptoms immediately, and proper medical documentation is essential for your claim.

2. Document the scene.
   If your condition allows, take photos of the accident scene, including vehicle positions, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses, as their testimonies can be invaluable for establishing liability.

3. File a police report.
   Make sure responding officers create an official accident report. This document serves as a neutral third-party account of the incident and often proves crucial during claims processing. Request a copy of the report number before leaving the scene.

4. Be cautious with communications.
   Avoid discussing fault at the scene or making statements to insurance adjusters before consulting an attorney. Early statements can be misconstrued or used against you later. Decline to give recorded statements to any insurance company without legal representation.

5. Follow medical advice.
   Attend all recommended follow-up appointments and adhere to your treatment plan. Gaps in medical care can be used by insurance companies to argue that your injuries aren't serious or weren't caused by the accident.

6. Contact an experienced bicycle accident attorney.
   Consult with a Houston bicycle accident lawyer at Calderon Law Firm as soon as possible. Early legal intervention can make sure essential evidence is preserved, deadlines are met, and your rights are protected throughout the process.

Looking for a bicycle accident attorney in Houston? Calderon Law Firm has you covered. 

When you've been injured in a bicycle accident, choosing the right attorney can make all the difference in your recovery journey. The Houston bicycle accident attorneys at Calderon Law Firm don't just handle bicycle accident cases — we make them personal, fighting with passion and precision for cyclists throughout Houston.

From day one, we'll tell you exactly what to expect from your case — no false promises, no sugar-coating the challenges ahead. If we take your case, it's because we genuinely believe we can win it and make a positive difference in your life after a traumatic accident.

Whether you’re trying to sue the insurance company for denying your claim or you were hit by a truck and need a Houston truck accident lawyer, Jose Calderon and Calderon Law Firm are here for you.

Don't let insurance companies minimize your suffering or deny you fair compensation after a bicycle accident. Call Calderon Law Firm today at (346) 999-5673 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.