Bicycle Accidents Archives - The Law Office of WT Johnson Blog

All parents watch anxiously as their child first gets his training wheels off and wobbles down the driveway on two wheels. Often, he’ll fall, and get back up with just a few bumps and scrapes. While we may all wince at our children’s pain, the truth is that those little bruises are the mildest injuries they are likely to experience in a bike accident. When a bicyclist is hit by a motor vehicle, the resulting injuries can be catastrophic, if not deadly. Read the rest »

As children get older, they earn more independence. They also earn the responsibilities that come with it. If your child has reached the age where he or she can bike to school, sports, or friends’ houses alone, now is a great time to help the whole family brush up on bicycle safety basics. Read the rest »

May is National Bike Month. The weather in Texas is beautiful, and bicyclists all over the state are taking advantage of it by heading outdoors for a ride.

Experienced Texas bicycle accident lawyers encourage riders to stay safe as they enjoy their favorite sport. One of the easiest ways to prevent a bicycle wreck is to make sure your bicycle is in top condition before you head out. Here are some tips to help you ensure your bicycle is ready to go:

• Check the frame. While cleaning your bicycle’s frame, look for cracks, dents, and paint chips. Have a mechanic check any cracks or dents to ensure they don’t negatively affect the bike’s performance. Read the rest »

Texas motorists have probably noticed an increase in bicyclists on our state’s roads. As the weather warms up, riders of all ages are cleaning off their bikes and hitting the streets.

Although bicyclists have the same legal right as motorists to use the roads as long as they follow all traffic laws, experienced Texas car accident lawyers know that sharing the road safely with bicyclists poses some challenges for drivers. Here are some ways to prevent a wreck and keep both yourself and local bicyclists safe:

• Don’t tolerate distractions. Most car-bicycle crashes occur when a driver doesn’t see a bicyclist until it is too late to avoid a crash. By cutting down on distractions, you can stay more alert and avoid accidents more easily. Put away your cell phone, turn down the radio, and ask a passenger to help you navigate. Read the rest »

Dallas, Texas is full of bike trails, and the mild temperatures make going for a bike ride a favorable option on all but the hottest or coldest days. As a result, biking is a popular sport in Dallas and other Texas cities. Even many experienced Dallas bicycle accident lawyers have enjoyed cycling in order to stay fit, spend time with family and friends, and reduce their impact on the environment.

While learning to ride safely in traffic can help you avoid a crash, it’s also important to make sure your bicycle is in working condition before you head out. Whether you prefer to ride on roads or trails, a bicycle that is in good working order will help you get where you’re going more safely – but one that is in poor condition might cause a crash or injury. Read the rest »

Bicycling is a great way to stay healthy, travel light, and reduce your gas bill along with your impact on the environment. Unfortunately, not all Texas cities have bicycle-friendly streets. If you’re riding your bike for fun or to commute, help reduce your risk of a bicycle crash by keeping these four tips in mind:

1. Avoid busy streets.

It’s easy to start bicycling by riding the same streets you used to drive. You’re already familiar with this route to work or school, so why not keep taking it? Usually, however, it’s safer to work out an alternate path that takes residential roads or roads with less traffic. Focus on finding ways to cross the busiest streets without having to travel on them. Read the rest »

Like other states, Texas allows bicyclists to use the public roadways as long as they follow all the rules required for drivers, such as stopping at stop signs or red lights, signaling turns and using the correct lanes. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) gives specific information in its FAQ page for bicyclists. Here are a few highlights:

• As a rule, bicyclists must follow all the same “rules of the road” as motorists. Exceptions apply when the Texas Transportation Code specifically states that a rule applies differently to bicyclists. Read the rest »

Every child is excited about the day they get to graduate from a tricycle to a “big kid bike” – with or without training wheels. A bicycle means freedom, fun, and a visible step forward in their journey toward growing up.
Parents who are helping their kids claim their “big kid” bicycling privileges need to remind kids that this big freedom comes with big responsibilities. By making basic bicycle safety part of the “right way” to ride a big-kid bike, you can help ensure your little one rides more safely and reduces his or her risk of accidents. Experienced Texas bicycle accident attorneys recommend sharing these tips with your kids: Read the rest »

Under the unfortunate circumstances that you are involved in an accident, due to the negligence of someone else, that causes injuries, you should seek legal advice. If you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit after an accident, it’s important to know what to expect from the process and how to prepare to make your claim.

Take Notes

After you’ve been involved in an accident, if possible, document the details of the accident. Make sure to include details of your injuries and how they’ve affected your everyday life. You most likely won’t be able to recall details of your accident months down the road. These notes will be very useful when putting together your personal injury claim. Read the rest »

Austin, Texas is one of the biggest bicycle supporting cities in the nation. You can find cyclists all over the roads of Austin, especially during the warmer months. Bicycle commuting in Austin has increased over the decades, with more people choosing to avoid the hassle of bumper-to-bumper traffic and riding to work and school on their bikes.

Benefits

There are a number of benefits when commuting by bike. A few of these benefits include:

• You leave virtually no carbon footprint
• You get exercise
• Bicycles increase mobility for those who have arthritis of stiff joints
• Most energy efficient form of transportation
• Save money by biking (i.e. not having to pay for gas)
• Cycling will improve your productivity at work
• Easier time finding parking
• Cycling is low-impact on the joints and rest of the body

If you decide to commute daily on a bike, there are things you should consider that will help make your commute as efficient as possible. Here are a few helpful commuting tips:

1. Bicycle Size. Make sure your bicycle is the right size for you and that your seat is properly adjusted prior to your commute. You should consider mountain or hybrid bikes, the tires are wider and are better for commuting in traffic.
2. Bicycle Helmet. Head injuries can cause serious injury and account for 75 percent of bicyclist deaths. Wearing a bicycle helmet can reduce your risk of head injury by up to 85 percent. Most states require that you wear a helmet when riding a bike.
3. Bicycle Rack. A rack on the back of your bike is essential if you plan on commuting to work. You’re going to need somewhere to put your briefcase or books.
4. Carry Necessary Tools. Always carry a tool kit incase you have to make roadside repairs. The longer your commute is, the more important it is to carry tools with you.
5. Check the Weather. Make sure you avoid commuting on your bike in severe weather. This makes cycling and seeing the road ahead of you much more difficult.
6. Bike Lights. Bike lights and reflectors are a must, especially if you ride your bike at night. Not only are they beneficial to your safety but other drivers can see you and drive cautiously around you.

Along with preparing for your commute before hitting the road, there are a number of safety tips to be aware of while you’re on the road, sharing it with other drivers. In most states, bicycles are legally considered vehicles, and must obey the rules of the road.

Here are some safety tips when sharing the road with others:

• Obey traffic signs and signals. Bicycles are expected to follow the same traffic laws a regular motor vehicles.
• Don’t ride against traffic.
• Don’t pass on the right. Motorists usually don’t look for a bike passing on their left, always pass on the right.
• Use hand signals. Hand signals alert motorists of what you intend to do. Signaling is the law and is the courteous thing to do.
• Look out for road hazards. Watch out for loose gravel, potholes, ice, dirt, and other debris.

Should a driver neglect to obey the rules of the road, serious injury can be the result for any bicyclist. If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another driver, contact The Law Offices of WT Johnson today. We will fight for the compensation you deserve.