Dallas Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycle accident injuries can be especially severe due to the lack of bodily protection from large vehicles, increasing the risk of catastrophic injuries. Common bicyclist injuries include:

As an at-fault state, Texas requires drivers to purchase insurance under the fault system. After an accident, the victim may file a claim through the at-fault driver's insurance. The insurance company is then responsible for determining liability and coverage based on who was responsible for the accident.

If a motorist hits a bicyclist, the bicyclist can file a claim against the at-fault driver to cover damages. Insurance companies will often try to obtain the victim’s recorded statement immediately after the claim is filed. These interviews can serve as crucial evidence in determining the validity of the bicyclist’s claim. Because insurers have a reputation for shortchanging victims to maximize profits and evade fair payouts, it’s crucial to seek legal counsel before giving a statement.

In an injury lawsuit, the plaintiff must prove that the motorist’s actions directly caused their injuries. While insurers play a role in assessing fault, our lawyers can assist with proving liability and negotiate effectively on your behalf to prevent insurers from taking advantage of you with lowballed settlements, especially if the insurer tries to blame you for your injuries.

Understanding your rights as a bicyclist is paramount to staying safe and holding negligent parties accountable for illegal violations, especially when they lead to serious injuries. However, it’s important to understand that bicycles are considered vehicles under state law, meaning that cyclists are required to follow the same traffic rules and regulations as motor vehicle drivers.

In Dallas, bikers are required to obey various bicycle laws to stay safe on the road (Texas Transportation Code § 551). These include:

• Obeying traffic regulations: Bicyclists carry the same responsibilities as other motorists, including stopping at stop signs, yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks, displaying proper illumination, and riding with the designated flow of traffic.
• Helmet requirements: While adult bicyclists aren’t required to wear a helmet, helmets are mandatory for riders under the age of 18. However, this rule also applies when an adult cyclist allows a minor to operate a bicycle or transports a minor without a helmet using a sidecar, trailer, child carrier, or other device attached to the adult's bicycle (Dallas City Code § 9-8).
• Avoiding sidewalks: While bicyclists are permitted to use the sidewalks in the Central Business District, bicycling on sidewalks is restricted in most areas of the city (Dallas City Code § 9-1). Keep in mind that bicyclists are still required to yield to pedestrians, announce their presence from behind, obey traffic signs and signals, and travel at safe speeds while using sidewalks.
• Using hand signals: Similarly to motor vehicle drivers using blinkers, bicyclists are required to use hand signals to indicate stops and directional changes. The only exception applies to bicycles equipped with electrical signals.
• Using designated bike lanes: When available, bikers are required to use designated bike lanes. Bicyclists using the main road are permitted to ride two abreast in a single lane, so long as they are not riding in parallel with cars.
• Use lights for nighttime bicycling: State law requires bicyclists to have a white light on the front of their bike and a red reflector on the back while riding at night.

While these rules may seem intimidating, our skilled litigators are well-versed in the legal intricacies of state and city ordinances to help you pursue justice after a bicycle accident.

Sustaining an unexpected injury can be overwhelming and disorienting for bicyclists. Knowing what steps to take is essential to recover financial relief for medical care and other expenses. Here are some important steps to take after a bike accident:

1. Seek medical treatment: Even if you lack severe injuries, seeking immediate medical care is imperative to rule out serious underlying injuries, such as internal bleeding. Undergoing a medical evaluation will also establish proper documentation of your injuries and serve as critical evidence to fortify your case.
2. Document the scene: Take photos of the accident scene, damage to your bicycle, and any visible injuries. Documenting the accident site can help you establish liability later on.
3. Contact the police: It’s important to report the bicycle accident to local authorities so they can create an official police report, which may be useful in providing evidence of the accident and who was at fault.
4. Exchange information: Be sure to exchange insurance information, driver’s license numbers, and contact information with all parties involved in the accident.
5. Gather witness statements: If there were any witnesses to the accident, it’s important to get their names and contact information for potential testimony later on.
6. Contact a bicycle accident lawyer: It’s essential to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible after a bicycle accident. Your lawyer can help you navigate the legal process, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure you’re compensated fairly.

Since 2012, our firm has been dedicated to securing justice and financial relief for the wrongfully injured. With a proven track record of results and over $10 million recovered for clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, our trial attorneys never shy away from a fight. Our litigators prepare every case for trial if that’s what it takes to achieve the settlement you deserve, giving you peace of mind that your rights are protected. Our lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we only get paid if you do. If you were harmed by another’s negligence, put over a decade of experience in your corner by turning to MR.LAW Accident & Injury Attorneys for aggressive representation.

Don’t pay the price for someone else’s negligence! Call (469) 689-0200 to schedule a free consultation with our seasoned attorneys. Se habla Español.