Vehicle collisions are always dangerous—especially when cyclists are the victims. In 2020, the Texas Department of Transportation reported that 82 cyclists lost their lives due to a collision with a motor vehicle. This was an increase from the previous year when 68 cyclists were killed. This increase wasn’t just isolated to 2020 and 2019; over the last five years, the number of bicyclist fatalities has continued to climb, leading to a demand for bicycle and motor vehicle law reform to make the roads safer.
If you or a loved one were the victim of a bicycle accident, it’s essential to contact a bicycle accident attorney immediately. Cyclists often suffer severe injuries after being struck by cars, and they can fight for compensation to cover their medical bills and pain and suffering.
The attorneys at the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. are trusted advocates for bicycle accident victims across the Dallas and Amarillo areas. We can help you seek compensation after an accident. If your loved one was killed in a bicycle accident, that doesn’t mean you are out of luck. You can also seek compensation to cover funeral expenses, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and other damages. Contact our team for a consultation to review the facts of your case.
Texas Roads: Analyzing Current Bicycle Accidents
In 2021, the State of Texas reported a total of 2,267 bicycle accidents. Here is a breakdown of the statistics by city.
Dallas Bicycle Accidents
Of the 2,267 bicycle accidents, 92 occurred on Dallas roadways. In 2022, this number jumped to 118 collisions between bicycles and motor vehicles. That year, Dallas accounted for 4.2% of all the bicycle crashes in Texas.
The 2022 accidents in Dallas resulted in the following outcomes:
- Five fatal injuries within 30 days of the collision
- 22 serious injuries that incapacitated the rider
- 47 minor injuries that left visible wounds
- 28 potential injuries that caused symptoms but no physical wounds. (These were later looked over by healthcare professionals.)
- 15 cyclists walked away from their accidents without suffering any damage
Amarillo Bicycle Accidents
Unfortunately, Amarillo, Texas, is another city where bicycle accidents have become increasingly common. Some of the most infamous and horrific cases of bicycle accidents have occurred in the last couple of years.
On February 28th, 2021, a man was killed after he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle. The officers who responded said they found 36-year-old Blake McBeth in the roadway, dead. The accident, which turned out to be a hit and run, was horrific, as the gentleman was dragged for six blocks before he fell off or was detached from the vehicle.
More recently, on October 17th, 2023, a person driving a 1998 Lincoln Executive was traveling down County Road near the intersection of CR 9 and hit a bicyclist heading southbound. However, in this case, the cyclist failed to yield the right-of-way and turned in front of the vehicle. While the driver was unharmed, the cyclist, identified as Donald Mundell, was pronounced dead at the scene.
What Caused the Most Vehicle-Bicycle Accidents?
Vehicle-bicycle collisions occur for several reasons, though they are most often due to the car driver’s negligence. The most common causes of bicycle accidents are as follows:
- The driver was making a left turn. When turning left without an arrow, diligent drivers should watch for cars coming from the opposite direction and look for cyclists. Whether on the street, bike lane, or sidewalk, cyclists have the right-of-way when they enter the intersection. When left-turning drivers don’t watch for bikes, cyclists can get seriously injured in T-bone accidents.
- The driver was making a right turn. When turning right, drivers should watch for cyclists riding close to the curb or in a bicycle lane to the right. Sometimes, collisions happen when impatient drivers overtake bicycles and try (but fail) to turn right before the cyclist can get ahead. Other times, the collision occurs because the driver is not paying attention.
- A car pulls into the crosswalk. Sometimes, a driver will pull into the crosswalk to watch for an opening when turning right. Before doing so, they should always look for cyclists. A bike rider crossing or preparing to cross along the crosswalk at high speed may not have enough time to brake before slamming into the side of the vehicle.
- A driver or passenger opens the door without looking. On streets with parallel parking, drivers and passengers should always watch for approaching cyclists before opening their doors to exit the car. Unfortunately, it’s common for drivers to fail to do so, causing a cyclist to slam into the door.
- Rear-end collisions. Bikes are generally slower than vehicles, and cyclists can also brake faster than cars. When drivers fail to pay attention or keep a safe following distance, they may rear-end a cyclist.
What Are the Most Common Bicycle Accident Injuries?
Since cyclists have little protection when riding their bikes, being hit by a car usually leads to catastrophic and debilitating injuries. Some of the most common bike accident injuries are as follows:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Loss of limbs
- Severe fractures
- Disfigurement
- Road rash
- Burns
- Soft tissue injuries
Current Bicycle Laws in Texas
Cyclists are subject to most of the same laws as the operators of other vehicles in Texas. This includes requirements to stop at stop lights and stop signs, yield the right-of-way when required, and follow all other applicable laws. The exception is when the law specifies that it only applies to motor vehicles.
Texas has a few laws that specifically apply to cyclists:
- A cyclist shall ride on a roadway as close to the right curb as possible. Exceptions to his rule include circumstances in which a cyclist turns left or passes another vehicle.
- A bicycle may not carry more people than it was designed to carry.
- A cyclist may not ride while carrying an object, which prevents them from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars.
- A bicycle must have a working brake.
- For a cyclist to ride at night, their bike must have a lamp in front and a red reflector in the back.
- Since DUI charges specifically apply to motor vehicles, a cyclist cannot receive such a charge. (However, they may receive a public intoxication charge if biking under the influence.)
Texas does not, however, have specific laws requiring the use of helmets or regarding the use of sidewalks vs. roadways or bike paths for cycling. Some cities have additional laws concerning bicycles and cyclists; Dallas, Fort Worth, and Amarillo are not among these cities.
Why Choose the Hernandez Law Group, P.C.?
The attorneys at the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. have years of experience in bicycle accident cases and are passionate about helping victims and their families seek compensation for their injuries and damages. We fully understand that insurance companies may attempt to pass the blame onto you or give you the lowest amount possible to protect their bottom line. We won’t let them do that.
Instead, we fight hard to defend your family’s right to fair compensation by collecting the proper evidence and getting expert witnesses to show the other party’s negligence. When you have our bicycle accident lawyers on your case, you can rest assured that we will be fighting for compensation, such as:
- Present and future medical costs for your injuries
- Loss of wages
- Future loss of wages
- Transportation costs
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Personal property damage
- Loss of consortium (for cases of wrongful death)
- Funeral expenses (in cases of wrongful death)
How Does the Legal Process Work for Bicycle Accident Cases?
The legal process in Texas goes as follows when you are seeking compensation for a bicycle accident:
- Hiring an attorney. This should always be the first step in the process.
- Claim and medical record review. During the initial consultation with your bicycle accident attorney, we will review your claim, damages, medical bills, and other expenses that resulted from your accident.
- Negotiation and filing. Some cases may be settled outside of court. If our attorneys feel this may be possible, we may contact the defendant and try to negotiate a settlement. If this fails, we will then move on to file your claim.
- The discovery process. We will gather everything that will be necessary in court. This includes the following elements:
- Witness statements and witnesses
- Evidence
- Medical experts
- Pretrial motions. This step involves each side appearing in court to present motions. The two most common pretrial motions include:
- Motion to exclude. Your attorney may ask that specific evidence, such as illegally gathered evidence, be excluded from the case.
- Motion for change of venue. This often happens if the case has garnered a lot of publicity or threatens your safety.
- Second settlement attempt. Mediation will occur before setting a court date. This provides a final chance to resolve the case outside court. If this fails, it is time to move on to trial.
- Personal injury trial. Civil trials all proceed in these steps:
- The presentation of evidence
- Interrogation of witnesses
- The rendering of a verdict by a jury or judge
- Determination of compensation amount by the judge
Seek Compensation Right Away
After a bike accident, you must act quickly. As time passes, evidence disappears, and the insurance companies will continuously pressure you to accept a lower settlement. The attorneys at the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. will help you file your lawsuit, deal with the insurance companies, and litigate your case.
Juan Hernandez has received board certification from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization to practice personal injury law. Only 2% of Texas attorneys have elected to get this certification. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our legal team. We have offices in Dallas, Amarillo, and Abilene.
Bicycle Accidents FAQs
Yes, a cyclist can be liable for a car-bicycle collision. Since bicycles are considered vehicles, they are subject to the same traffic laws as cars. Liability for a car-bicycle collision is determined by who had the right-of-way. Since laws regarding stop signs, stop lights, safe following distance, and other road rules apply to both vehicles, either the driver or the cyclist may be at fault for the accident.
After a bicycle accident, it’s essential to contact one of our personal injury attorneys. We’ll help you determine who is at fault for the accident. Even if the fault is shared, you can still receive partial compensation for your damages if you are less than 50% at fault. This is known as modified comparative negligence, a consideration in all Texas negligence cases.
Even though driver negligence causes most bicycle accidents, cyclists should still take steps to avoid collisions or minimize damage. The following safety tips can help keep cyclists safe while on the road:
– Wear a helmet.
– Use a bell to alert drivers and other cyclists to your presence.
– Obey all traffic laws and signs.
– Ride in bike lanes when available.
– When riding on the street or in a bike lane, always ride with the flow of traffic (not against it).
– Look out for car doors.
– Ensure drivers pay attention to your presence before proceeding through an intersection.
– Wear reflective clothing at night.
– Don’t wear earbuds or headphones while cycling.
An injured party has two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. It is crucial to seek legal counsel promptly, as evidence from bicycle accidents will fade quickly.