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 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 with your case.
The Texas Transportation Code prescribes rules and regulations for bicyclists, many of which are the same as for motor vehicle drivers. According to the Texas Transportation Code, bicyclists must:
Riders must also 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.
Bicyclists who abide by the road rules but are injured in an accident because of a negligent motorist should contact a bicycle accident lawyer in Killeen to discuss their case.
Texas law does not require those biking 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 premises. The Department of Defense (DoD) requires helmets approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to be worn by all military personnel and their dependents riding bicycles on Army installations.
The Texas Department of Transportation has identified four common road hazards that cause the most bicycle accidents in the state.
It is dangerous to cross railroad tracks at too close an angle. Tracks should be crossed with the bike wheels set perpendicular between sixty and ninety degrees.
Bicyclists should pay attention to road surface conditions. 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 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.
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 in Killeen can assess the circumstances of a bicycle accident and advise a client concerning a negligence lawsuit.
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 to 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 bicycle accident lawyer can investigate a case by reviewing medical charts, police reports, witness statements, and photographs to determine if the injured person in Killeen may be eligible for compensation.
When a negligent driver causes a bicycle accident, the financial impact on an injured cyclist often extends far beyond the initial emergency room visit. A Killeen bicycle accident attorney works to identify every category of loss connected to the crash, not just the expenses that are immediately obvious. Recoverable damages generally fall into two groups: economic losses, which carry a specific dollar value, and non-economic losses, which compensate you for the personal toll of an injury. These two groups include:
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning someone can still recover compensation even if they share some blame for a crash. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, an injured person may not recover damages if their percentage of responsibility for the accident exceeds 50 percent.
However, if someone is found 20 percent responsible for a crash that caused $50,000 in damages, for example, their recoverable amount would generally be reduced to $40,000. Because insurance companies often attempt to shift blame to reduce a payout, working with an attorney early in the process can help protect the full value of a claim.
The aftermath of a bicycle crash often raises as many questions as it does injuries. Below, a Killeen bicycle crash attorney answers some frequently asked questions from cyclists and their families.
Texas law generally provides a two-year period from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline can prevent an injured person from recovering compensation altogether, so it is best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident.
Most bicycle accident claims resolve through negotiation with the insurance company rather than a trial. However, Felix Gonzalez Law prepares every case as though it may proceed to litigation in a Bell County court, demonstrating to insurers a readiness to fight for full and fair compensation on your behalf.
Feliz Gonzalez Law handles bicycle accident cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning clients owe no upfront legal fees. The firm only collects a fee if compensation is recovered, allowing those injured to pursue justice without added financial strain during recovery.
The steps taken in the hours after a crash can influence the outcome of a claim. If someone is involved in a collision with a motor vehicle while cycling, they should generally:
Taking these steps promptly helps preserve evidence and strengthens claims from the very beginning.
Texas does not require drivers to carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, though insurers must offer it unless a driver rejects the coverage in writing. If the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, an injured person may still have options to pursue compensation through their own policy. Reviewing the details of insurance policies with an attorney can clarify what coverage may apply.
If a bicycle ride turns to tragedy because a reckless motorist crashes into you, you deserve justice. Let a Killeen bicycle accident lawyer from Felix Gonzalez Law advocate on your behalf during this uncertain time. Call today for your free consultation and learn how we can help you pursue compensation for your injuries.
(210) 298-6666
