Bicycle Safety and Preventative Measures in Seguin

Anyone who has ever ridden a bicycle on or near a public roadway likely knows how reckless drivers are when sharing the road. While you always have the right to seek civil restitution from a driver who negligently strikes and injures you while you are riding your bike, the best-case scenario is always doing everything you reasonably can to prevent this kind of collision from happening in the first place, or at least to limit the injuries you suffer from one.

With that in mind, here are some bicycle safety and preventative measures that experienced bike accident lawyers in Seguin recommend. If following these safety tips did not prevent you from being hurt by a driver’s misconduct, a practiced attorney can help you understand and proactively enforce your rights under state civil law.

Wear a Safety Helmet That Fits Well

Like many other states, Texas does not have any statewide laws governing the use of bicycle helmets by riders of any age, and Seguin does not have local ordinances addressing the topic. Wearing a safety helmet—and more specifically, wearing one that meets the standards set by the Department of Transportation and fits securely on your head when buckled—is one of the preventative measures you can take if you want to reduce your risk of suffering a severe bicycle injury.

Keep Your Bicycle in Good Condition

In addition to making sure your bicycle is sized and set up appropriately based on your height and build, you should always take a few moments before each ride to ensure your bicycle is in safe working order. In particular, you should check to see that your brakes are working correctly, that your gears—if your bike has them—shift smoothly, and that there are no rusted or worn-down areas where the bicycle’s frame may be weak enough to give way during a ride. This safety measure could protect you from a defective bike causing an accident in Seguin.

Make Yourself as Visible as Possible

Ideally, all drivers would be responsible enough to watch out and avoid running into bicyclists with whom they are supposed to lawfully share the road. In reality, wearing bright-colored clothing, using headlights and headlamps, and doing other things to force drivers to see you can be a vital safety measure to take while riding a bicycle around Seguin.

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

Just like a motor vehicle driver is, you are more likely to get in a wreck while on a bicycle if you do not keep your full attention on where your bike is and what is around you. That means not riding with headphones on, not texting while riding, and only riding when you are sober and not impaired by alcohol or drugs.

A Seguin Attorney Can Help if Bicycle Safety and Preventative Measures Are Not Enough

Unfortunately, even the most responsible bicyclist is still at risk of suffering catastrophic injuries in a crash that was another person’s fault. In this kind of scenario, the quality of legal representation you seek help from can make a huge difference in the amount of compensation you can recover for your accident-related damages.

A seasoned bicycle injury lawyer can answer further questions about bicycle safety and preventative measures in Seguin or offer preliminary guidance about a possible civil claim over an accident during a private initial consultation. Schedule yours by calling today.