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Austin Bicycle Accidents Lawyer

Texas Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycle Accident Claims in Texas

This girl who has been in a bike accident with a car needs a bicycle accident injury lawyer to help her seek compensation.

Our beautiful state of Texas offers a variety of options for bicyclists, from our hills and plains to our parks and lakes within Austin. Unfortunately, our higher-speed roads also mean that there’s an increased likelihood of getting into a bicycle accident. Between 2010 and 2016, there were 16,807 crashes in Texas involving bicycles, according to Share the Road Texas. Drivers of other vehicles are at fault for many of these accidents, and closer investigation can prove that other parties may be to blame. If you or a loved one is suffering from bicycle accident injuries, you can turn to our bicycle accident lawyer in Austin for support. Chris Morrow Law, PLLC is on the side of bicyclists everywhere. Chris regularly rides the roads of Austin and is well aware of the dangers facing cyclists. We can secure the compensation you deserve after an accident has left you with pain, hospital bills, and property damage.

Contact Chris Morrow online or call 512-520-8100 for a no-obligation case evaluation in English or Spanish. We can also connect you to a medical professional if you need treatment for your injuries.
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Knowledgeable About Texas Bicycle Laws

There are a variety of laws in Texas that protect bicyclists on the road, but drivers sometimes ignore or violate them. Bicyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers. This means that while bicyclists have to stop at red lights and stop signs like everyone else, car drivers also have to yield to their right of way when appropriate as they would to any other vehicle on the road.

Drivers are also required to drive behind and pass bicyclists at a safe distance, which is three feet if the vehicle is a passenger car or smaller truck and six feet if the vehicle is a large truck or commercial motor vehicle. Though it’s tempting for drivers to pass bicyclists that are going at slower speeds, they still need to respect their space to avoid rear-end collisions.

If you were injured by a driver, you may be able to file a personal injury claim citing negligence, especially if you can prove that the driver violated your bicyclist rights. Our Austin bicycle accident lawyer, Chris Morrow, can investigate your accident and collect evidence on your behalf while you concentrate on healing. Again, Chris is a regular cyclist and knows the dangers facing cyclist who are competing for space with drivers.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Austin, TX

When Can You Sue After a Bicycle Accident?

Because Texas is an “at-fault” state, this means that as long as you can prove that the driver was responsible for the accident you should be able to pursue compensation for your injuries through their insurance company. However, if you were in any way responsible for the accident, this may hurt your chances of recovering compensation. There are several ways a cyclist can sometimes contribute to an accident:

  • You violated traffic laws (ran a stop light or stop sign, were riding against traffic, etc.)
  • You were riding at night without the proper safety gear
  • You were not riding in the provided bike lane

Even if you were partially responsible for the accident, that doesn’t mean you can’t recover compensation. You should speak with an Austin bicycle accident lawyer immediately to discuss your bike accident and find out how you can go about pursuing compensation.

The Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Austin for You After Serious Cycling Injuries

Because bicyclists have little protecting them in the event of a collision, they’re more likely to suffer serious injuries than drivers and passengers of vehicles in accidents. Research shows that not wearing a helmet is also shown to increase the risk of fatality in a bike accident. Bicyclists tend to suffer from catastrophic injuries like broken or crushed bones, spinal cord injuries like paralysis, and head and brain injuries. As a result, damages tend to be high, as a brain injury may require numerous surgeries and hospitalization, as well as ongoing care if the injury becomes permanent.

Austin bicycle accident lawyer Chris Morrow can sit down with you and your family to take all of these damages into consideration so we know how much to fight for. We’re not daunted by high-value cases; in fact, Chris Morrow has nearly three decades of litigation experience and is committed to securing all that you need to completely recover.

Our bicycle accident lawyer in Austin is on standby and ready to meet with you at any time of day. Call us to schedule your free consultation at 512-520-8100.

Bicycle Accident FAQ:

Can a cyclist ever be at fault for an accident?

Yes. While most cycling accidents are caused by negligent motorists, there are still instances where a cyclist causes their accident through their own negligent actions. For example, if a cyclist crosses a street without checking for oncoming traffic, and crosses directly in front of a car without giving the driver time to stop, they may have a hard time proving that the motorist is responsible for their injuries. If you believe that you may have been partially at fault for your cycling accident, that doesn’t mean you can’t still receive compensation. Speak to Attorney Chris Morrow today for help!

 


How Drivers Contribute to Bicycle Accidents in Texas

Though bicycle accidents can happen on neighborhood streets and in parking lots and driveways, a large percentage of bicycle crash fatalities occur on U.S. and state highways. Though outside factors can contribute to accidents – 50 percent of bike crash fatalities in the last five years occurred in the dark – drivers still have a responsibility to navigate these conditions and provide for the safety of others on the road.

Some common forms of driver negligence that can contribute to bicycle accidents in Texas include:

  • Speeding: The faster the vehicle, the less time its driver has to slow down, stop, or swerve to avoid causing an accident. Speeding drivers have less time to notice a bicyclist crossing the street or going at a slower speed in front of them, and they can also collide with bicyclists when they lose control around sharp turns.
  • Distracted driving: Drivers who are on their phones, eating, or even adjusting their car radios may not realize there’s a bicyclist in their blind spot and can cut them off when making turns in the bike lane or into parking lots. Distracted drivers may also have a hard time noticing a bicyclist riding at night.
  • Drunk driving: Drivers who are intoxicated are slower to react, have their motor functions impaired, and are more likely to make risky decisions like run red lights or stop signs. A sudden lane change without looking can sideswipe a nearby bicyclist and lead to serious injuries or even fatalities.
  • Failing to follow rules of the road: Breaking road laws is considered reckless driving or negligent. Drivers who tailgate slower bicyclists, make lane changes or turns without signaling or checking their blind spots, and fail to yield to the bicyclist’s right of way are all breaking important road laws and putting lives in danger.

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