Sharing the Road with Bicyclists in San Antonio

With a climate that stays mild year-round and a years-long focus by city leaders to improve the bicycling infrastructure, bicycle riders are a common sight on San Antonio roadways. Bicyclists are allowed on all public roadways in the city, and are required to follow the same safety rules as the operators of other vehicles. Likewise, the drivers of other vehicles, such as cars and trucks, are required to give the same consideration to bicyclists as they do to other vehicle operators on the roadway.

For the operators of motor vehicles, which are larger and faster than bicycles, sharing the road with bicyclists in San Antonio involves several requirements. Failing to meet these requirements can make the driver responsible for compensating the rider’s physical and financial losses if an accident occurs. If you were injured in a bicycle accident caused by a negligent driver, talk to an experienced bicycle accident lawyer from Felix Gonzalez Accident and Injury Law Firm.

The Responsibility Drivers Have to Share the Road

As noted, drivers in San Antonio have the responsibility to take reasonable actions to avoid causing harm to other motorists sharing the road, including bicyclists. One of these reasonable actions includes following all traffic laws, including yielding the right-of-way at stop signs or traffic lights when required. Drivers also must maintain a distance of at least three feet from the bicycle when passing and look for bicycles when turning or when traveling in areas where there are private driveways or other features that can make it harder to see them.

Drivers also have the responsibility to obey laws involving excessive speed and alcohol impairment, as each of these factors can increase the risk of a bicycle accident occurring. Speed reduces the time that a driver has to see a bicyclist in the path ahead and respond by braking, and also increases the distance that their vehicle will travel after they have slammed on the brakes as the brakes pull the weight of the vehicle to a stop. Alcohol impairment deprives drivers of numerous skills that can keep other travelers, such as bicyclists, safe, including tracking moving objects, speed and lane control, and safe passing techniques.

What Happens If a Negligent Driver Injures a Bicyclist

If a driver fails to share the road with a bicyclist in San Antonio and an accident occurs involving injuries to the rider, the driver may be liable for compensating the rider. This compensation typically comes from the driver’s auto liability insurance policy. The injured rider’s lawyer files a personal injury claim against this policy. The at-fault driver’s insurer evaluates the policy and decides whether to accept the liability of their insured and pay the claim, as well as how much to pay for the claim. If the insurer does not fairly compensate the claim, a lawsuit can be filed within two years of the date of the accident so that a jury can hear the case and make determinations about liability and compensation.

When a bicyclist dies as a result of injuries sustained in a San Antonio accident caused by a negligent driver, certain family members of the deceased such as their spouse or children can file a wrongful death claim within two years of the death to seek compensation for economic and non-economic losses the family endured as a result of the death, such as loss of inheritance, the cost of a funeral, and mental anguish.

When Drivers Are not Sharing the Road with Bicyclists in San Antonio, Felix Gonzalez Law Firm is Here

Because their vehicle lacks an enclosed frame and other safety features found on cars and trucks, it weighs a lot less and moves a lot slower than other forms of traffic, bicyclists are considered vulnerable roadway users. Other vehicle operators sharing the road with bicyclists in San Antonio are required to use caution to avoid causing accidents with bicyclists and can be liable for compensating injured riders or the families of deceased riders when they do not. If a bicycle accident has caused harm to you or your loved one, let us help you understand your options for seeking compensation. Contact us for a free case evaluation today.