Texas Bicycle Accident Lawyers

The nation’s environmental literacy has blossomed over the past decade, to the point where cities are now under pressure to create specifically marked bike lanes on busy roadways. Whether bike lanes exist or not though, a bike will usually lose a collision with almost any kind of car. It’s then that you may need the bicycle accident lawyers at Godsey Martin.

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With extensive expertise in personal injury actions, the attorneys and staff at Godsey Martin can help you get the compensation you deserve if you have been injured in a bicycle accident. Don’t wait another moment to reach out for your free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll review your case and give you timely advice.

How Common are Bicycle Accidents in Texas?

The number of fatalities from bicycle accidents in Texas remains at a modest level, but they are growing. The Texas Department of Transportation says that 82 bicyclists were killed during 2020, up slightly from 68 in the prior year. Together, pedestrian and bike-related fatalities accounted for one of every five traffic-related deaths in Texas during that year.

The increase in fatalities involving bikes, pedestrians, and motorcycles prompted the Texas DOT to launch a public-service awareness campaign to help highlight the dangers and provide the driving public with tools to better protect each other on the roads. The campaign, known as “Be Smart. Drive Smart,” has components aimed at motorists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and others, with the goal of making the roads safer.

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What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident?

The attorneys at Godsey Martin strongly recommend you proceed with due caution and care at all times following an accident. No matter the circumstances, accidents are disorienting and unnerving, and the last thing you want to do is say or do something in confusion that limits your ability to recover just compensation.

In the immediate aftermath of the accident, your focus should be on yourself and those around you who were involved in the accident. Make sure you are not seriously injured; if you are able, check on others in the accident and summon emergency help as soon as the situation has stabilized. Police will have to be called. Since the accident involved a bicycle, they will need to investigate the circumstances.

Assuming you are not seriously injured, focus on documenting what happened. Taking pictures of the accident scene from numerous angles can help provide important evidence in establishing liability, even if it never reaches a litigation phase. If you feel up to it, get contact info from the other driver, including information about their insurance coverages as well as their name, phone number and email address. Were there any witnesses? Then it would make sense, again within reason, to jot down their names and phone numbers as they may be able to provide important evidence.

There are circumstances in which a bicyclist could be considered at fault — say, perhaps, by making an unexpected or sudden stop or turn. The personal injury attorneys at Godsey Martin PC can also help protect your rights, should you be deemed as partially or wholly liable for the accident. We will work to establish clear documentation to establish the facts.

Regardless of issues of fault, you will at some point need to file a claim with the insurance company, either your own or the other driver’s. The attorneys at Godsey Martin can help counsel you through this step and put you in the best position to obtain proper compensation.

What Are the Main Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Texas?

According to Share The Road Texas, a bicycling advocacy organization, Texas authorities respond to about 3,000 bicycle accidents each year. Over a six-year period between 2010 and 2016, Texas recorded almost 17,000 bicycle crashes, resulting in nearly 10,000 injuries and 364 deaths, Share the Road estimates.

Distracted drivers are to blame for a substantial number of these accidents, but other factors cited by authorities include:

Bicyclists pulling out in front of vehicles
Vehicles turning left or pulling out in front of bicyclists
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Failing to stop at a traffic signal or a stop sign
Attempting to pass on the right of a vehicle
Neglecting to look before turning
Weaving recklessly through traffic

All of these could well be attributed to a simple mistake. But they also might be the result of negligence, which speaks to liability and can prove to be a most important factor in evaluating your personal injury case. The attorneys at Godsey Martin will help identify the key factors in your case and make recommendations for how best to proceed.

Our team can also help protect your rights if it appears you, as the bicyclist, may be assessed a portion of the blame. It is possible for bicyclists to be held liable for mistakes in action or judgment that result in damage to cars or property or injuries to drivers and passengers. We’ll work with you to establish the facts so the case is settled fairly.

Contact the Bicycle Accident Lawyers at Godsey Martin

Biking is a great hobby and also an environmentally friendly way to get from point to point. But it also comes with certain inescapable dangers. If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident and suffered injuries, or if you have lost a loved one in a biking accident, then you should consider obtaining advice from experienced legal counsel at Godsey Martin PC, serving all of Texas with offices in Houston and Dallas.

The team at Godsey Martin, made up of more than 130 legal professionals, focuses on personal injury cases of all types. This includes accidents involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, and pedestrians. We also assist in slip-and-fall and other types of accidents that involve serious bodily injury.

Godsey Martin knows that every case is unique. We will take the time to review the facts and provide you with an honest assessment of the best way forward. We’re fighters for you and won’t be satisfied until you receive compensation. Call us or contact us online to set up a free, no-obligation consultation.

What Our Clients Say

“Today I spoke with Amanda Collins and she was just wonderful. She was very attentive and understanding. She was patient and kind, she answered all of our questions clearly and respectfully. Thank you so much Amanda! Making a difficult situation seem so easy.”

Shelby Collins

“Amanda Bell has been great. She’s been very diligent with checking in and keeping me up to date with what’s going on with my case. I never have to worry myself with calling her to get info because she’s on top of it and always informs me promptly.”

Lavina Randle

“I want to take the time out to have Mr. Garza and Ms. Mendoza recognized for their extensive professionalism and also for their continued dedication to see me through my case! I was being given the run around and they fixed that quickly! Thanks for being a listening ear Mr. Garza and for always leaving a line open for me to reach you with my concerns!”

Sadie Harris

“I called Godsey Martin right after my daughter and I were hit by a drunk driver on the highway. They were very helpful in getting us set up with the medical care we needed and getting us a fair settlement through the drivers insurance. Priscilla Nowlin was my point of contact and kept me up to date with every step of the process. She responded quickly and was very professional. I am very grateful for her and for the Godsey Martin team!”

Alyssa Blank

“Priscilla Nowlin was a great help and very responsive. The process was painless and my settlement exceeded my expectations. Priscilla was very professional and when I notified her of a death in my family she very understanding, she let me know they would continue to work on my behalf and to just focus on my family. Thank you Godsey Martin for having such a great staff who just don’t see you as a client but a human being which is often lost with some law firms.”

WB Wagner

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Our legal team, located in Dallas and Houston, understands the steps that need to be taken to help accident victims get their life back on track. We will stand by your side throughout the entire legal process, fighting the insurance companies and the negligent driver responsible in order to provide you the money and justice you deserve. Click or call us today to begin your case.

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Texas Bicycle Accident FAQs

How long do I have to file a bicycle accident case in Texas?

The statute of limitations for most bike accident cases in Texas is two years. That means that most lawsuits for injuries sustained in a bicycle accident must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. But there are exceptions. For example, a wrongful death suit must generally be filed within two years of the death, not the accident that caused the death. Often, that’s on the same day, but not always.

If a governmental entity is partly at fault in the accident, they may require notice of the claim much earlier than the statutory deadline to file a bicycle accident case. So, it’s best to talk to a Texas bicycle accident lawyer right away.

Where are bicyclists most at risk?

Like pedestrian accidents, most fatal bicycle wrecks occur in urban areas. And, like pedestrian deaths, most bicycle accident fatalities happen away from intersections. Bicycle accidents, including fatalities, are much more common on roads without protected bicycle lanes. The highest-risk time of the day for bicyclists is between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 p.m. to midnight on weekends. Overall, about 45% of bicycle fatalities happen after dark.

How can bicyclists lower the risk of riding in Texas traffic?

To stay as safe as possible on the road, a bicyclist should observe all traffic safety laws that apply to bike riders. That includes staying as far to the right on the road as possible in most circumstances and obeying traffic signs and signals.

Bicyclists should also:

Refrain from drinking and biking
Stay alert to the traffic around you
Wear a helmet
Stay as visible as possible, including wearing reflective clothing when riding at night
Ride in areas with bike lanes when possible
Don’t block out sounds around you with headphones
Avoid distractions
Assume that drivers you’re sharing the road with don’t see you, even if it should be easy to do so
Make sure your bike is well-maintained and all key equipment is working properly
Watch out for hazards in the road and give yourself ample room to avoid them without swerving into traffic

When should I talk to a Texas bike accident lawyer?

Though most bicycle accident victims have two years to file a lawsuit, the best time to get advice from an experienced local bicycle accident lawyer right after your injury. Getting knowledgeable guidance from the start can help you avoid common mistakes that can hurt your bicycle accident claim. An early start also gives your bike wreck lawyer the best possible chance to collect evidence before security footage is taped over, witness memories fade, and other evidence is lost or compromised.

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