Killeen Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Killeen’s mild winters allow you and your family to ride your bicycle all year-round. Unfortunately, when motorists fail to pay attention to the road, bicyclists are at extreme risk of serious injuries. When a crash occurs, you can hold the motorist accountable and seek compensation. A Killeen bicycle accident lawyer can help you seek justice for your injuries. With the help of a local personal injury attorney, you may be eligible to recover compensation for damages such as medical bills, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and lost wages. Call to see how we can help your case.
Rules of the Road for Killeen Bicyclists
The Texas Transportation Code prescribes rules and regulations for bicyclists, many of which are the same as motor vehicle drivers. According to the Texas Transportation Code, bicyclists must:
- Ride close to the curb on the right side of the road, except when turning left or passing a vehicle
- Know and employ bicycle arm signals when turning left or right
- Never ride on the sidewalk
- Use a white light on the front and a red reflector or red light on the back for night riding
- Refrain from carrying more people on a bicycle than it is designed to carry, for example, bicyclists would be prohibited from carrying a person in the front basket and another behind them on an elongated seat
- Refrain from transporting any object that prevents the bicyclist from using at least one hand to steer
Bicyclists who abide by the road rules but are injured in an accident because of a negligent motorist should contact a Killeen bicycle accident lawyer to discuss their case.
Most Significant Road Hazards for Bicyclists According to the Texas DOT
The Texas Department of Transportation has identified four common road hazards that cause the most bicycle accidents in the state.
Railroad Tracks
It is dangerous to cross railroad tracks at too steep an angle. Tracks should be crossed with the bike wheels set perpendicular between sixty and ninety degrees.
Road Surface Conditions
Bicyclists should pay attention to the surface of the roads. Roads can be slick if oil patches are wet by rain, the pavement can be uneven or made of loose gravel, and reflector strips can upend a bike traveling too fast.
Dooring from a Parked Car
Dooring occurs when a bicyclist suddenly collides with the door of a parked car after a motorist who did not see the bicyclist opens it. Bicyclists should try to ride at least a car door’s width away from parked cars.
Sewer or Cattle Grates
Bicyclists should be aware of road surfaces and traffic flow but also look for sewer and cattle grates because bike wheels can get stuck when traveling over them.
A vigilant bicyclist can still be the victim of a negligent driver. A skilled bike crash attorney can assess the circumstances of a bicycle accident and advise a client concerning a negligence lawsuit.
Do Bicyclists Have to Wear Helmets?
Texas law does not require those biking around Killeen to wear helmets. However, Killeen residents who are stationed at or are civilian employees at nearby Fort Hood must wear helmets while biking on the Post. The Department of Defense (DoD) requires helmets that are approved by the Consumer Products Safety Commission to be worn by all military personnel and their dependents riding bicycles on Army installations.
Negligence and Bicycle Accident Cases in Killeen
Despite some cases in which bicyclists are responsible for their accidents, most bike accidents, in which a motor vehicle collides with someone riding a bicycle, are usually the motorist’s fault. Once motorists get behind the wheel, they owe a duty to others on the road that they will drive safely. If that duty is breached, and a bicyclist is hurt because of the breach, the motorist may have to compensate the bicyclist for injuries suffered. Compensation may include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of the enjoyment of life, and lost future wages. A skilled Killeen bicycle accident lawyer can investigate a case by studying medical charts, police reports, witness statements, and photographs to determine if the injured person may be eligible for compensation.
A Killeen Bicycle Accident Attorney is Here for You
If a bicycle ride turns to tragedy because a reckless motorist crashes into you, you deserve justice. Let a Killeen bicycle accident lawyer advocate on your behalf during this uncertain time. Call today for your free consultation.
