How common are biking accidents?

Personal Injury Attorney Assisting Accident Victims Nationwide

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), bicycle accidents steadily contribute to more than 2% of all motor vehicle fatalities in the United States—meaning that approximately 670 bicyclists are killed in traffic accidents each year, while another 48,000 are seriously injured. When comparing accident statistics from 2010 and 2011, the number of bicycle-related fatalities is also an alarming 9% higher. For this reason, the Texas personal injury attorneys at The Doan Law Firm, P.C. would like to address the ways in which you can recover compensation if you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident. As statistics have shown, these devastating accidents have grown to be a serious problem in the U.S.—especially in the state of Texas.

Far too often, pedestrian-involved traffic accidents are caused by the negligent or careless actions of the motorist. This typically leaves the unsuspecting bicyclist with little to no protection against the crushing force of a much larger vehicle, so it is not uncommon for the pedestrian to sustain catastrophic, if not fatal, injuries while the motorist walks away without a scratch. That is not to say that the bicyclist is never at fault for causing a collision, but in most cases, they will be the ones to suffer the consequences. In fact, 75% of all accident-related injuries result in some sort of head trauma, which can ultimately lead to costly medical care, prolonged rehabilitative treatment and time spent away from work. For this reason, it is often necessary for the victim to seek an adequate level of compensation.

Texas State Transportation Code Chapter 551 – Operation of Bicycles

According to Chapter 551 of the Texas State Transportation Code, bicyclists must follow the same traffic regulations as everyone else. This includes stopping at red lights, yielding to pedestrians in a crosswalk and displaying the proper illumination devices when riding at night. Since they cannot be expected to keep up with the flow of motor vehicle traffic, however, they must adhere to the specific laws that have been set out for bicyclists in the state.

Some of the most notable laws include:

• 551.102(b)–Bicyclists must not carry more than the allotted number of passengers
• 551.103(b)–Bicyclists moving slower than traffic must ride on the edge of the roadway, unless:
  • They are passing another vehicle that is traveling in the same direction
  • They are preparing to turn left at an intersection or onto a private road
  • The conditions of the roadway prohibit them from doing so safely
• 551.103(c)–Bicyclists can ride two abreast, unless they are riding in a designated bicycle lane
• 551.104(b)–Bicyclists may not ride at night unless their bicycle is equipped with:
  • A front lamp that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet
  • A rear reflector that emits a red light visible from a distances of at least 500 feet

Injured in a bike accident? Contact a Texas personal injury attorney!

If you or someone you love has been injured in a preventable bike accident, you should not hesitate to discuss your case with our Texas bicycle injury lawyer at The Doan Law Firm, P.C. Our firm will work diligently to ensure that you are able to obtain the level of compensation that you deserve, so there is no reason why you should wait any longer to retain the professional help that you will need. Not only can we offer you more than a decade of legal experience, but we have even made ourselves available to review your case for free. All you have to do is contact our firm today at (800) 349-0000 for a complimentary consultation – we are available 24 hours a day to take your call.