Fort Worth Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Fairly fighting for Your Compensation

If you’ve been hurt in a bicycle accident in Fort Worth, you deserve a compassionate attorney who truly understands your needs. Attorney Paul Previte has over 25 years of experience successfully advocating for injured victims, securing multi-million dollar recoveries through dedicated representation and genuine care.

Paul Previtte knows our local roads, courts, and how insurance companies here operate. This local expertise helps him pinpoint exactly where negligence occurred, whether on busy streets like Park Vista Boulevard or in neighborhoods throughout the Cultural District.

At our firm, you’ll always work directly with Paul. He listens carefully to your story, treats you like family, and prioritizes your emotional well-being and physical recovery every step of the way.

Our firm understands that bicycle accidents often cause severe, life-altering injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and significant emotional distress. Paul fights tirelessly to ensure your rights are protected, your story is heard, and your compensation fully covers your damages.

We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis – meaning you never pay upfront fees, and we’re compensated only when you receive your settlement. This approach ensures you can focus solely on recovery, while Paul and our attorneys handle every detail of your legal claim.

When you’re recovering from a bike accident, you need a trusted advocate who genuinely cares about your outcome. That’s exactly what you get when you choose Fort Worth bicycle accident attorney Paul Previte.

What Are the Common (and Uncommon) Bicycle Accident Cases in Fort Worth?

Bicycle accidents in Fort Worth can occur in many ways, often resulting from driver negligence. Understanding these common scenarios can help you recognize your legal rights and the importance of prompt legal action.

Common Bicycle Accident Cases

Collisions with Motor Vehicles
Most bicycle crashes involve motor vehicles, often caused by negligent behaviors like distracted driving, speeding, or failing to yield at intersections. For example, a cyclist may be severely injured by a car improperly turning left through a crosswalk.

Dooring Accidents
“Dooring” occurs when drivers parked along busy Fort Worth streets fail to check their mirrors before opening car doors. Cyclists can suffer serious injuries when forced suddenly into traffic lanes.

Hit-and-Run Bicycle Crashes
Unfortunately, many Fort Worth bicycle accidents involve drivers fleeing the scene. Even if the driver isn’t initially identified, Paul Previte can help you pursue compensation through alternative means, such as uninsured motorist coverage.

Distracted or Drunk Driver Accidents
Impaired or inattentive drivers cause devastating injuries to cyclists, often resulting in lengthy recoveries or permanent disabilities. Alcohol-related accidents remain among the most severe due to delayed reactions and poor judgment.

Intersection and Crosswalk Accidents
Busy intersections, especially downtown or near major roads like Park Vista Boulevard, are frequent accident sites. Cyclists legally crossing intersections are at risk when drivers fail to yield or notice their presence.

Uncommon Bicycle Accident Cases

Road Hazard Accidents
Poor road conditions like potholes, debris, or inadequate signage may cause serious crashes. In these scenarios, government entities may bear responsibility for negligent maintenance.

Bicycle Product Malfunction
Occasionally, accidents occur due to defective bike components – such as brake failures or frame defects. Manufacturers may be liable if a defective part contributes to your accident.

Cyclist–Pedestrian Collisions
Though rare, collisions between cyclists and pedestrians can happen on busy trails and sidewalks, requiring careful legal evaluation to establish fault clearly.

Dog Chase or Animal-Related Accidents
Loose pets, especially dogs chasing cyclists, can lead to crashes and injuries. Owners might be held liable for allowing their animals to run uncontrolled.

Rideshare or Delivery Vehicle Accidents
With growing use of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft or delivery services, cyclists are occasionally injured by these drivers. Such cases involve navigating corporate insurance policies and require skilled legal guidance.

No matter how your bicycle accident occurred, Paul Previte and our attorneys thoroughly investigate each situation to build a strong case for negligence. We focus on securing full compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and the emotional toll you’ve endured.

Why Do Most Bicycle Accidents Happen in Fort Worth?

Bicycle accidents in Fort Worth commonly result from negligent driving behaviors and hazardous road conditions. Understanding these common causes helps illustrate why holding the responsible party accountable is critical for your recovery.

Distracted Driving

Drivers texting or otherwise distracted fail to notice cyclists sharing the road. This negligence frequently leads to serious collisions, as even momentary distractions significantly reduce reaction time.

Drunk Driving

Alcohol impairment remains a primary cause of devastating bicycle accidents. Impaired drivers exhibit reduced judgment, slower reaction times, and erratic driving behaviors, substantially increasing the risk of severe cyclist injuries.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

Fort Worth’s busy thoroughfares, such as Park Vista Boulevard and Airport Freeway, often experience speeding or reckless driving. Higher speeds magnify the impact force, dramatically increasing the severity of injuries sustained by cyclists.

Failure to Yield and Illegal Turns

Many accidents occur because drivers fail to yield to cyclists, especially at intersections or crosswalks. Illegal turns without proper signaling or attention put cyclists at extreme risk for injury.

Dooring Incidents

Drivers parked alongside streets often fail to check mirrors before opening their doors. Cyclists forced abruptly into traffic to avoid doors can suffer severe, potentially life-threatening injuries.

Lack of Dedicated Bike Lanes

Many Fort Worth streets lack dedicated bicycle lanes, compelling cyclists to share congested roads with vehicles. This absence of designated bike infrastructure significantly increases accident risk.

Poor Road Conditions

Neglected road maintenance, such as potholes, inadequate signage, and debris, create hazardous conditions for cyclists. Government or property owners may be responsible for injuries arising from these preventable dangers.

At our firm, Paul Previte takes the time to fully investigate your bicycle accident. By pinpointing each factor involved – driver negligence, road hazards, or vehicle issues – Paul builds the strongest case possible to maximize your compensation and promote safer cycling conditions across Fort Worth.

What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident in Fort Worth?

Taking the right steps after a bicycle accident protects both your health and your legal rights. If you’re injured, following these guidelines will help ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

1. Ensure Safety and Call 911

Immediately seek medical attention, even if injuries seem minor initially. Calling 911 ensures police document the accident, creating an official record crucial for any future legal claim.

2. Document the Scene

If safely possible, capture photographs of the accident site, including vehicle damage, bicycle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and visible injuries. This visual evidence significantly strengthens your case.

3. Gather Information

Collect the driver’s contact details, insurance information, and vehicle license plate number. Additionally, obtain names and contact information from any witnesses and note the responding police officer’s name and badge number.

4. Avoid Admitting Fault

Be cautious about what you say at the accident scene. Do not apologize or admit fault, as these statements might be used against you later. Clearly describe facts without assigning blame or fault.

5. Save All Records

Keep thorough records, including medical bills, treatment receipts, bicycle repair estimates, and correspondence with insurance companies. Maintain a journal detailing your recovery, symptoms, and impacts on daily life to document your pain and suffering.

6. Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Quickly

Before engaging extensively with insurance adjusters, consult with an experienced Fort Worth bicycle accident attorney. Paul Previte offers free initial consultations and can provide valuable early guidance to protect your claim.

Our team understands that handling these steps alone can feel overwhelming, especially while recovering from injuries. Let Paul Previte and our compassionate attorneys guide you through this challenging process, ensuring your rights remain protected as you heal.

Who Is Liable for a Bicycle Accident in Texas?

Determining who is legally responsible after a bicycle accident is essential for pursuing fair compensation. Under Texas law, cyclists have the same rights as other vehicle operators, and those who negligently cause harm can be held accountable.

Negligent Drivers

In most cases, the driver of the vehicle involved in a bicycle accident is at fault. Typical negligent behaviors include distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, or failure to yield.

Multiple Drivers

In accidents involving multiple vehicles, liability might be shared among several drivers. Our attorneys carefully examine each driver’s role to ensure full accountability.

Government or City of Fort Worth

If unsafe road conditions – such as potholes or inadequate signage – cause an accident, government entities responsible for maintaining roads can sometimes be held accountable. Special procedural rules apply in these cases, making early legal guidance critical.

Bicycle or Auto Manufacturer

Defective equipment or faulty parts, such as malfunctioning brakes or defective bicycle components, can result in accidents. In these cases, the manufacturer could be liable under product liability laws.

Property Owners

Rarely, conditions originating from adjacent property – like obscured traffic signs due to overgrown trees – can cause accidents. In these situations, the property owner may share liability for neglecting maintenance.

The Cyclist’s Own Liability (Modified Comparative Negligence)

Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning if you were partly responsible (under 51%) for the accident, you can still recover damages. Your total compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often unfairly inflate cyclist fault to minimize payouts, making experienced legal representation essential.

Attorney Paul Previte meticulously investigates your accident – examining police reports, witness testimony, and expert analyses – to determine and prove who is truly liable. Our firm ensures liability is properly assigned, maximizing your chances for full, fair compensation.

Should I Handle the Insurance Claim on My Own?

Probably not. Although reporting the accident promptly to your insurance company is important, speaking directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance adjuster can jeopardize your claim.

Insurance adjusters aim to minimize payouts, often appearing friendly but using tactics designed to reduce your settlement. They may twist your statements, pressure you into recorded interviews, or push for quick settlements before you fully understand your injuries or the real value of your claim.

A common tactic includes suggesting that you, the cyclist, were partly responsible – claiming visibility or safety issues – to lower your potential compensation. Our attorneys frequently encounter these unfair practices and know precisely how to counter them.

When you choose attorney Paul Previte, our team manages all communication with the insurance companies, shielding you from potential mistakes or undervaluation. Paul ensures your settlement fully covers your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain, and emotional suffering – far more than insurance companies typically offer initially.

If contacted by an adjuster before consulting our firm, politely decline to discuss details beyond basic accident facts. Inform them your attorney will follow up soon.

Allowing Paul and our attorneys to handle these negotiations gives you the peace of mind needed for recovery. We’ll stand firm against insurance tactics, ensuring your interests remain fully protected.

Ready to Speak with a Fort Worth Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

If you or someone you love was injured in a bicycle accident in Fort Worth, you don’t have to face this difficult time alone. Attorney Paul Previte offers compassionate guidance, aggressive advocacy, and the local experience necessary to secure the compensation you deserve.

We handle cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no upfront fees, and we only get paid when you do. Our goal is simple: Let us manage your legal burdens, so you can focus entirely on your recovery.

Contact us today at (817) 335-4357 or visit our office conveniently located at 6200 Airport Fwy, Haltom City, TX. We’re ready to listen to your story, answer your questions, and provide the dedicated representation you need. Let Paul Previte and our legal team fight for the justice you deserve, giving you peace of mind as you heal.