Austin Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Cycling is a great way to get some exercise, move around town, and enjoy the city. However, because bicyclists have little to no protection in the event of an accident, they are also more likely to suffer serious injuries when struck by a vehicle. If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Austin at little to no fault of your own, our bike accident lawyers at Shamieh Law can help you secure compensation from the responsible party. Contact us to schedule your free case review.
In recent years, Austin has made great strides toward becoming a more bike-friendly city. However, the risk of bicycle accidents cannot be reduced to zero. Further, accidents involving bicyclists are more likely to result in catastrophic injuries because, unlike passengers in enclosed vehicles, they have almost no protection from the impact of an oncoming car. All it takes is one careless driver to cause a devastating accident.
If you or a loved one were injured in a bike accident in Austin, Shamieh Law is ready to help. Our experienced team of Austin personal injury lawyers is standing by to provide the excellent legal counsel and representation you deserve. Call our bike accident attorneys at (512) 888-3333 or visit our contact page to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today.
Why Choose the Austin Bicycle Accident Lawyers at Shamieh Law?
Our firm was founded by Ramez Shamieh, a seasoned trial lawyer with extensive experience helping injury victims throughout Texas and beyond. Over the years, he has recruited a highly skilled team of personal injury attorneys and staff that share his commitment to excellence and helping injury victims in their hour of need.
Together, we focus on “Winning With Awareness.” This means that we take a people-first approach. Our top priority is ensuring that our clients receive the excellent legal counsel and representation they deserve. We treat them like family throughout the life of their cases and fight tirelessly for their right to full and fair compensation.
We also strive to maintain the highest ethical standards in our profession. This means treating every person involved in the cases we handle with compassion, dignity, and respect. In doing so, we build and maintain positive professional relationships that leave us well-positioned to secure excellent results. Learn more by exploring our case results and client testimonials.
Over the years, our approach has also allowed us to build a strong reputation among our clients and in the legal community. We have been recognized by many professional organizations and publications, including:
- Super Lawyers
- Texas Lawyer
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- The Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- The American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys
What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Austin?
Austin is a vibrant and growing city that has made significant efforts in recent years to make its roads safer for bicyclists. Unfortunately, auto accidents involving bicyclists still occur throughout the city. According to recent data, about 30 bicyclists were involved in traffic accidents that led to serious injuries and fatalities every year from 2019–2023.
It is important to understand that each personal injury case is unique and requires the individualized attention of a skilled attorney. However, causation patterns do emerge when it comes to bicycle accidents. Common causes of bike accidents in Austin include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Intoxicated driving
- Weaving through traffic
- Unsafe lane changes
- Turning without signaling
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Failing to obey traffic laws
What Are the Most Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents?
Again, unlike drivers protected by their enclosed vehicles, bicyclists are fully exposed in the event of an accident. Even when wearing helmets and other protective gear, they are still vulnerable to catastrophic injuries. Common injuries we see in bicycle accidents include:
- Sprains, strains, tears, and bruises
- Cuts and puncture wounds
- Broken, fractured, and dislocated bones
- Spinal cord injuries, including full and partial paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Burns and road rash
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Psychological trauma
- Wrongful death
Bike accidents involving cars, trucks, buses, and other motor vehicles can lead to serious long-term consequences, often involving lengthy recovery times and lifelong impairment. A skilled bike accident attorney can ensure you know your full legal rights and options.
What Damages Can You Pursue in an Austin Bicycle Accident Lawsuit?
When injured in a bike accident at little to no fault of your own, you are likely entitled to significant legal compensation from the at-fault party. The most common kinds of compensation available through a personal injury lawsuit in Texas are economic and non-economic damages, collectively known as compensatory damages.
Economic damages are calculated by adding up bills and receipts associated with your injuries and losses. They can compensate you for things like:
- Medical bills, including hospital stays and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Lowered future earning capacity
- Property damage
Non-economic damages are more difficult to compensate due to their subjective nature. However, their value should not be underestimated. Non-economic damages can compensate you for things like:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lowered quality of life
In some cases, you may also be able to pursue punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages in Texas. Unlike compensatory damages, which are awarded to reimburse injury victims for the impact an accident has on their lives, punitive damages are awarded to punish defendants in cases involving fraud, malice, or gross negligence.
Courts are generally more reluctant to award punitive damages. In Texas, this form of damages is capped at the greater of the following values:
- Two times the amount of economic damages, plus an amount equal to non-economic damages (not to exceed $750,000), or
- $200,000.
What If My Loved One Died in a Bicycle Accident?
Losing a loved one in a preventable accident is devastating. At the end of the day, no amount of money can truly right this kind of wrong. However, when bicyclists are killed in accidents, their surviving family members may be able to pursue compensation through an Austin wrongful death lawsuit.
If you are grieving the death of someone you love after they were killed in a bike accident, we extend our most sincere condolences. We have families of our own, and wrongful death cases are some of the most difficult we handle in our personal injury practice. You do not have to face this kind of situation alone. Our compassionate legal team is here to support you and your family.
Can You Still Recover Damages if You Were Partially at Fault for a Bike Accident?
Absolutely. Texas courts follow the doctrine of modified comparative negligence. This means you can recover compensation so long as you were not more than 50 percent responsible for your accident.
However, your compensation will be reduced proportionately to your degree of fault below that threshold. For example, if you are 25 percent at fault for a bike accident in which you sustained $100,000 in damages, your recoverable compensation will be reduced to $25,000.
What Can Bicyclists Do to Stay Safe in Austin?
Though the risk of accidents cannot be reduced to zero, there are lots of things you can do to stay safe on your bike. The following tips should help:
- Pick safe routes – Though Austin has installed more bike lanes in recent years, they are not always available. In these situations, try to avoid busy roads by riding within neighborhoods instead.
- Ride your bike with the flow of traffic – Riding against traffic on busy Austin streets raises the risk of accidents.
- Obey traffic laws – Just like drivers in motorized vehicles, bicyclists have a legal duty to keep roads safe by obeying traffic laws.
- Use hand signals – Use hand signals while riding your bike to let drivers know when you need to turn or merge.
- Make eye contact with drivers – Don’t assume drivers are always aware of your presence. Try to make eye contact with drivers when you need to turn or merge.
- Use the right safety gear – Wear a helmet and reflective clothing. You should also install a headlight and reflectors on your bike.
How Long Do You Have to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Austin, Texas?
According to the Texas Personal Injury Statute of Limitations, you have two years from the date of injury to file a bicycle accident lawsuit.
There are certain exceptions to this strictly enforced rule. However, you should check with an attorney before relying on them in case they do not apply to your case.
Failure to file before the correct deadline will result in your case being dismissed, which will eliminate your right to seek compensation in court. When this happens and the at-fault party’s insurer finds out, they will have little incentive to negotiate with you fairly.
How Can a Bike Accident Attorney Help Your Case?
At Shamieh Law, we offer comprehensive legal services and individualized attention to support you after a bike accident. When you work with our team, we will:
- Ensure you know your full legal rights and options.
- Conduct a thorough, independent investigation of your accident.
- Gather all available evidence to support your claim.
- Calculate the full value of your injuries and losses.
- Negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party and their insurers.
- Represent you in court if a fair out-of-court settlement cannot be achieved.
Take action today. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start building the strongest claim possible on your behalf.
What Should You Do After Being Injured in a Bicycle Accident?
A bicycle accident can be a stressful and disorienting experience, especially if you sustain serious injuries. However, there are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself and your right to legal compensation from the at-fault party. If possible, take the following steps:
- Do your best to stay calm, assess the situation, and check yourself for injuries.
- If possible, move to a safe location that is away from moving traffic.
- Call 911 to request emergency medical attention and have a police officer prepare an accident report. Here is information on how to file a police report in Texas.
- Gather contact and insurance information from the at-fault driver.
- Gather contact information from witnesses to the accident.
- Take pictures and videos of the accident scene, including road conditions, surveillance/traffic cameras, your injuries, and property damage.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you do not think your injuries are serious.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and do not skip follow-up appointments.
- Keep a daily pain journal throughout your recovery.
- Consult an experienced Austin bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Austin Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
Our firm takes cases on a contingency fee basis. This means there is no upfront cost to have us handle your bike accident lawsuit. Our fees are based on a pre-negotiated percentage of the compensation we recover for you. In other words, you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Further, because we offer free consultations, there is no downside to having one of our bicycle accident attorneys review your case. Contact us today to schedule yours.
Contact the Austin Bicycle Accident Attorneys at Shamieh Law
Though Austin is one of the most bike-friendly cities in Texas, accidents still happen. If you or a loved one were injured in a bike accident in Central Texas, the award-winning legal team at Shamieh Law can help. We have helped countless injury victims fight for their right to compensation when injured at little to no fault of their own. Let us do the same for you.
We offer free, no-obligation consultations. Call us at (512) 888-3333 or complete our online form to schedule yours today.
