Dallas Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Riding your bicycle to work and other places can be a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, avoid stressful traffic, and maybe even squeeze in a little exercise. However, anytime you choose bike riding over another form of transportation, a bicycle accident can sideline you with severe injuries. A serious bike crash can lead to missed work, extensive medical debt, and life-changing results. This is when you need to work with an experienced Dallas bicycle accident lawyer to ensure you have the funds needed to pay for these unexpected losses.

Motorists often fail to protect bike riders sharing the roadway, and the results can be devastating. Understanding your rights after a bicycle accident is crucial, and the experienced Dallas bicycle accident attorneys at DFW Injury Lawyers are ready to explain the legal process and your options during a free consultation. We understand the laws pertaining to cyclists and motor vehicles and can help ensure you aren’t mistreated by a motorist’s insurance carrier who doesn’t want to pay your claim.

Contact DFW Injury Lawyers to help you receive the compensation you deserve. We’ll fight hard to recover a fair bike accident settlement or verdict to help you recover from your injuries and the financial losses you are facing while you work on rebuilding your life.

How Do I Find a Reputable Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me?

When you need a bicycle accident law firm, trust the team at DFW Injury Lawyers. We can help you bring a claim against the at-fault person when you are injured in a bicycle accident. Our Dallas office is conveniently located at 1341 W. Mockingbird Lane, Ste. 580W, Dallas, TX 75247, just two blocks east of I-35E. Get directions to our office here.

Bike Accident Statistics

Although you might feel safer on your bike than you do traveling in your car, the number of bicycle accidents that occur in Texas each year is alarming. Two-thirds of all bicycle accidents happen on city streets, according to Share the Road Texas, because that is where cyclists are more likely to be traveling near motor vehicles. However, 33% of fatal cycling crashes occur on highways, with a large percentage of bicyclist fatalities occurring on interstate highways and farm-to-market roads. This suggests no matter where you are traveling, a cycling accident can happen when negligent motorists are present.

What are the Common Causes of Dallas Bicycle Accidents?

While a bike accident can happen for many different reasons, there are some more common causes of crashes that involve a cyclist on the road, including:

• Distracted drivers: Motorists who don’t pay full attention to their driving is a common driving condition that claims thousands of lives each year. Driving while texting, eating, talking on the phone, reading, or otherwise failing to focus on the roadway is a common reason why motorists may not see a cyclist on the road, resulting in an accident.
• Speeding: Traveling too fast can cause a vehicle to lose control, and can also make it harder for a vehicle to stop quickly or swerve if needed to avoid hitting a cyclist.
• Unsafe roadways: Construction zones, road hazards like potholes, uneven pavement, or unclear roadway markers can cause both cyclists and motorists to unexpectedly swerve or lose control, causing an accident.
• Weather conditions: Inclement weather like rain, fog, or wind can lead to accidents involving cyclists.
• Defective Products: Sometimes, neither the cyclist nor the motorist is at fault, but rather the manufacturer of their bike, the vehicle, or one of their parts leads to a crash.
• Not following traffic rules: It’s important for both motorists and cyclists to know and follow traffic rules. Rules like making proper signals when turning, staying on the correct side of the road, and/or using available bike lanes can decrease the chances of accidents.

Bicycle Safety Tips: How to Prevent a Dallas Bike Accident

Incorporating safety tips is important for numerous reasons. One, it has the potential to save you from becoming involved in an accident that could leave you injured. Second, it reduces the risk of being considered partially negligent in a lawsuit which could result in a reduction of the compensation amount you can receive in a bike accident claim or lawsuit.

To reduce the risks of bike accidents, practice these safety tips:

• Be prepared before heading out: Ride a bicycle that is fitted to your height, and one that you are comfortable riding. Make sure your bike is in good working order, that the tires have plenty of tread and air, and that the brakes are operational. Loose items should be kept in a backpack, or strapped to a pack attached to the back of your bicycle. Plan a route that is the safest, not necessarily the fastest.
• Follow traffic safety rules: Cyclist road rules include riding on the far right side of the road or in a provided bike lane, maintaining a single file line when riding with other cyclists, and walking bikes across intersections.
• Wear protective gear: It is crucial to wear protective gear (such as a helmet) to reduce the risk of a fatal bicycle accident. Wearing bright clothing during the day and reflective clothing at night helps alert drivers to your presence and can keep you safe. Make sure loose clothing and shoelaces are tucked in so they cannot become entangled in your pedals or your bike chain.
• Keep local laws in mind: For instance, although Dallas does not have a law mandating that adults wear a helmet, all cyclists 18 and under are required to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. You can learn more about Dallas local bike laws here.
• Avoid riding on sidewalks in downtown Dallas business districts: If you are traveling by bicycle in the business district, you should ride on the same roadway as the other vehicles.
• Use the bike lane, wherever possible: Bike lanes are not available everywhere, but in areas where they are available, a cyclist should always use them.
• Practice defensive riding: Stay alert. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles and other cyclists, continually observing changes in traffic and outside conditions and cycling in a safe and predictable manner.
• Don’t assume drivers can see you: Even if you practice safe cycling, drive predictably, and wear brightly colored clothing, a driver still may not see you. As such, it’s important to assume drivers do not see you rather than assuming they do. Adding a rear-view mirror to your handlebars and using reflective lights at night can help.
• Avoid all distractions: Avoid wearing headphones or attempting to talk on the phone (even with wireless headsets) while you are cycling. This makes it hard for you to clearly hear other cyclists, vehicles, and other sounds around you.
• If you get into a bike accident, immediately see a doctor: A bicycle accident can cause your adrenaline to skyrocket. Even if you don’t suffer broken bones and don’t feel injured at the scene of the accident, you could have injuries you don’t immediately feel. Visit a doctor or a hospital after your accident to get checked out. This is important both for your recovery as well as for properly calculating any bicycle accident claim payouts you may be entitled to.

Injuries Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Dallas Can Handle

When you’re riding a bike, your entire body is exposed without much protection. Therefore, the chances of you walking away unharmed after a collision are unlikely. Bicycle accident injuries can range from mild to severe and even result in fatalities.

Some of the common bike accident injuries include:

• Wrongful death: A wrongful death claim arises when a person’s death is caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of another.
• Brain injuries: At least 144,000 Texans experience TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) each year. Wearing a helmet while you ride can significantly reduce your risk of sustaining a brain injury.
• Spine, shoulder, and neck injuries: Your spinal cord is essential for mobility and life. In a bicycle accident, the spine, spinal cord, ba, and neck may all be injured.
• Paralysis: If your bike crash is severe, you could suffer from partial or total paralysis.
• Soft-tissue injuries: Injuries to tendons, muscles, and ligaments can impact the way you move, and can also have an impact on your overall quality of life. These injuries can happen if you fall off your bike or collide with a vehicle.
• Internal injuries: It’s incredibly important to see a doctor immediately after an accident to rule out internal injuries. Internal bleeding, bruising, concussions, and organ injuries can occur without external evidence.
• Scarring and disfigurement: If you suffer from scarring and/or disfigurement, you can face a battle with insurance carriers to convince them that reconstructive surgery is medically necessary. If it is, the surgery and the recovery process can still be expensive and significantly extend your bike accident recovery time.
• Loss of limbs and broken bones: Losing a limb and/or breaking bones is more common with bicycle accidents than vehicle accidents due to the fact that the cyclist’s body is exposed and not surrounded by a metallic structure.
• Road rash: Road rash is a friction injury that occurs when the surface of your skin is scraped off by a hard surface, like a road or sidewalk. While not typically life-threatening, road rash can be incredibly painful and take time to heal.

What to Do After a Bike Accident

If you’re involved in a bike accident, it can be hard to think clearly and figure out what to do. Here are some suggestions:

• Move out of traffic but do not flee the scene: Even if you suspect you are totally or partially at fault, never leave the scene of an accident. Instead, move out of traffic and get to a safe place if possible.
• Check for injuries: Take a bodily assessment. Are you hurting, bleeding, or experiencing any pain? If so, it’s important to call for medical attention immediately.
• Call the police: You must report your bike accident to law enforcement officers.
• Exchange contact info with the other driver: You’ll want to exchange phone numbers and get insurance information, even if you aren’t sure at this stage about filing an accident claim.
• Collect evidence immediately: Time is of the essence with accident evidence. If possible, collect names and contact information of witnesses, take photographs of your bicycle and the vehicle(s) involved, and make videos of the surrounding area to capture weather, road conditions, etc. If you are unable to take this step, a skilled bicycle accident attorney can help gather the evidence that still exists.
• Go to the nearest hospital: Even if you do not see or feel immediate injuries, you still need to be examined by a doctor as soon as possible to rule out any harm.
• Maintain records of all evidence, including medical bills and repair receipts: Keep a log of phone communications, emails, texts, medical bills, repair receipts, and anything related to your accident. You’ll need it if you decide to file a bike accident lawsuit.
• Be careful about what you post on any public forum: Remember, anything you say can be used against you. This includes things you post on social media that can be easily manipulated by an insurer or the other party during a settlement negotiation or a trial.
• Contact a Dallas bicycle accident lawyer: To discuss your legal options, schedule a free consultation with a Dallas accident attorney at DFW Injury Lawyers. We can help you file and resolve your claim and ensure you get the compensation you need to take care of medical bills and expenses.

Proving a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit: What to Expect

When you decide to file a bike accident lawsuit, your attorney will start by analyzing all issues, collecting evidence, building your case, and communicating with the responsible party’s insurance carrier to help you get paid.

Briefly, a successful personal injury lawsuit must show the following:

• A legal duty of care is owed to the injured person filing the claim or lawsuit (the plaintiff): Motorists are expected to take reasonable measures to prevent an accident when sharing the road with others.
• The other party breached the duty of care: This could mean that the person who caused the crash failed to pay attention to you, neglected traffic signals, or otherwise neglected to follow basic road safety measures.
• The breach was the legal and factual cause of your losses: The next step is to determine if your losses arose from the breach of the legal duty of care. For instance, if you have pre-existing health conditions that exacerbated your injuries, the other side will likely challenge your claim. However, a skilled bike injury attorney at DFW Injury Lawyers can help you navigate those hurdles.
• Legal damages are possible: Most importantly, your attorney will fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your damages and injuries.

If the case goes to court, our knowledgeable injury lawyers will follow all procedures under Texas laws to file a complaint in the right venue and jurisdiction. We will handle the pre-trial process and present all arguments and relevant evidence supporting your claim to the judge or jury.

Our Dallas Bicycle Accident Lawyers Help Recover Many Types of Compensation For Injured Cyclists

If you’re injured in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to two general categories of compensation: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages include tangible damages like damage to your property, medical bills, and lost wages. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and emotional distress. Since non-economic damages are harder to prove, partnering with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in our Dallas office is crucial to ensure you receive the total compensation you deserve.

Why Choose a Dallas Bicycle Accident Attorney at DFW Injury Lawyers?

At DFW Injury Lawyers, our team brings the legal muscle neede to fight for your rights. When you work with us, you get:

• Past experience and demonstrated success: Our results show our dedication to our clients. Though past results do not guarantee similar outcomes for future cases, they are a good indicator that our legal team is skilled in the field of personal injury claims.
• Knowledge of local laws, procedures, and news: Our team constantly surveys local media, reviews legal updates and judgments, and keeps abreast of changes in local, statewide, and federal laws that may apply to Dallas cyclists. For instance, we understand which roads in the city are dangerous and how certain weather conditions may contribute to road accidents.
• Personal attention and commitment to each client: We’ll never leave you wondering what’s going on with your case or what our next steps will be. We’ll maintain constant communication with you and keep you well-informed throughout our relationship.
• Don’t pay unless you win: At DFW Injury Lawyers, we operate on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay us until we successfully resolve your case.

Dallas Bike Lawyers: FAQs

How common are hit-and-run bike accidents?

Hit-and-run bike accidents are more common than you might think. A skilled bicycle accident attorney may be able to help you find the responsible driver and hold them liable for your losses. The sooner you contact a reputable bicycle accident law firm, the better your chances will be to recover financial compensation from the at-fault driver.

Do cyclists have to follow traffic laws?

Yes. Cyclists must follow traffic laws just like motor vehicle drivers. In addition, cyclists have other rules of the road to follow, like utilizing bike lanes when available, and always riding on the right side of the road.

Who has the right of way – a bike or pedestrian?

Pedestrians have the right of way when using crosswalks. Note that pedestrian accidents are also common in Dallas, and can cause a great deal of damage to both parties.

Are bicyclists required to ride against the flow of traffic?

No. In fact, you should always ride with the flow of traffic on designated one-way streets and bike lanes, and consider installing a rearview mirror on your handlebars to help you see the traffic behind you.

What can car and truck drivers do to decrease bike accidents?

All motor vehicle drivers, such as car drivers and truck drivers who share the road need to be more aware of bicyclists. This includes paying attention to the road, yielding to cyclists, looking at the mirror before making a right turn, and obeying the speed limit.

What happens if a bicyclist violates the law?

If you fail to follow bike laws while cycling, you can be subject to punishment by law, and be held responsible for damages and injuries.

What is a catastrophic injury?

Catastrophic injuries are severe injuries that may cause long-term disabilities and significantly impact the victim’s quality of life. Catastrophic injuries require extensive treatments, rehabilitation, and long-term care services. Sadly, catastrophic injuries are common in bike crashes involving motor vehicles.

How does a bicycle accident lawyer prove liability in a Dallas bike crash?

Our skilled lawyers can prove liability in a Dallas bike accident by showing how all four elements of negligence under Texas personal injury law are satisfied: duty, breach, causation, and damages. An experienced Dallas bicycle accident attorney can gather the evidence to prove negligence and boost your accident claim with supporting legal arguments (including case laws).

Should I sue if I have suffered minor injuries after a Dallas bike accident?

While it’s important to file a claim to recover damages and compensation for your injuries, it may not be necessary to file for damages for minor injuries. During a free case consultation, an experienced attorney can help you decide whether you should file an accident claim and discuss other legal options that may be available to you.

Can I settle with a negligent driver without a lawyer’s help?

While it is possible to settle with the other party, keep in mind that your chances of receiving the total compensation you deserve increase with the right lawyer by your side. This is because many cyclists who hurriedly settle with a negligent driver may later find that their losses were far more significant than they had imagined, or their contributory negligence was much lower than they were led to believe.

How much compensation can a bicycle accident law firm recover for my bike accident?

Your compensation for a Dallas bike accident will vary depending on your injuries and damages, and whether or not you are found to be negligent for any part of your accident. The final amount will also vary depending on whether you have an attorney working for you who understands the nuances of bike accident lawsuits.

Call a Dedicated Bicycle Accident Attorney at DFW Injury Lawyers For a Free Consultation Today

When you’re injured in a bike accident, it is in your best interest to work with attorneys who are dedicated to helping Dallas personal injury victims recover the compensation they deserve. At DFW Injury Lawyers, our seasoned attorneys are dedicated to helping bike accident victims get paid for the wrongful acts that led to their losses.

To learn more, call us at 888-231-1341 or fill out our simple online contact form now.